[Juliette’s POV]I want to slap that man. ‘Are you saying that I’ve been secretly talking to Ralph behind Papa’s back?’ ‘Have you?’ The lawyer was heaving in fury. How dare he. ‘Betray Papa?’ I asked, my own fury matching his. ‘Are you asking me that right now?’ ‘Yes.’ His eyes bored into mine, challenging me to avoid the question like a guilty rat. So I held my chin high and held his gaze. ‘I’ve not seen Ralph since that time in the ladies’ room. Ask Janet. She has all my schedule. Ask the driver. He follows me everywhere. Ask Agatha. She’s with me all the time at the mansion.’‘These are all your people,’ retorted Uncle Jerry. ‘Really?’ I chuckled bitterly. ‘Did I hire Janet? Or the driver? Or Agatha?’ ‘Agatha basically raised you. So she’s on your side, of course.’ I stepped forward, teeth gritting in anger. ‘ASK HER THEN. Why don’t you? She’s loyal to Papa. She’ll tell you everything.’ ‘Juliette knows nothing.’ Father intervened. He gave an eye to Uncle Jerry which immedia
[Juliette’s POV]It was a week after that. To find Ralph’s evidence, I’ve got to start from Ralph’s contract with Papa, and Uncle Jerry drafts all of Papa’s important contracts like the ones that concern the Lux assets. And Uncle Jerry has a habit of keeping a soft copy of every contract he’s drafted. So it must be in his laptop, which he carries around like his ID. If I’m Papa, I’d know of the contract’s existence. What do I do to evoke it? My best friend must know about it. Including those who are loyal to me and whom I can depend on for assistance. Then, my staff—and then my household. Now, how would I void the same contract without any legal consequences? How to convince everyone that what they thought existed never did?If I let only a trusted few in on the entire plan, then I only need to tell the others that they’ve been duped. People don’t like to be made a fool, but they also don’t want to appear like one. So if enough people believed what Papa said, the rest would follow.
[Ben’s POV]‘I’ll take Bora Bora,’ said the Mafia King. ‘That wasn’t the option,’ Ben swiftly retorted. ‘Besides, the place is full. Are you sure your little mafia friends would like the bustle? I thought they’d appreciate a tad more tranquillity.’ Ralph sighed. ‘I don’t have time for your jealousy.’ ‘That’s right! I’m fucking jealous! You abandoned our twenty year old friendship for a fruit basket! And then you got the nerve to call me and order me to make reservations for your little rendezvous that I wasn’t even invited to! SO I CHANGE MY MIND, YOU UNGRATEFUL HANDSOME BEAR—YOU’VE GOT ONLY FIJI! TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT!’ And he tapped the red button. ‘Did you just flare up at the Don?’ Jewel’s eyes were round with aghast. ‘Are you crazy?’Ben looked equally nonplussed. ‘I believe I am.’ ‘You’ve made him angry, you idiot. He’s never going to Fiji now. And he’s not going to call anymore!’ Ben swallowed hard, already regretting his sudden outburst and pondering what to do next when
[Ralph’s POV]Very soon, my limo came to a screeching halt. The six angry white vans stopped as well—in two neat files. Then, the doors burst open and out spilled the men in black suits like water from a broken pipe. I checked the rearview mirror and saw the black van breaking out in cold sweat as my army of black suits swarmed around my limo and charged towards it like piranhas. ‘They’re trying to run,’ huffed Robert, looking displeased. ‘Have faith in our brothers, Robert,’ I replied, just as the black van stopped again. Robert’s wide grin told me that the last three vans had arrived, blocking my assassins’ only escape route. *****[Tank’s POV]‘FUCK! LOCK THE DOORS!’ cried asshole sharp shooter Pete. Tank the quick dagger had never seen so many sharks in his life. He hastily pressed the button and the doors locked itself, just before the first dude reached their van. In a blink, the entire van was covered with these sharks in black suits, banging and knocking incessantly l
[Juliette’s POV]‘And we’re back to pacing,’ announced Sarah. ‘We’re biting nails now, huh?’ ‘I don’t know what else to do, Sarah!’ I threw my hands up in misery. Sarah rolled her eyes and let out a weary sigh, then put away the magazine. ‘For starters, how about you sit down,’ she eyed the couch beside her, ‘and tell me what’s on your mind?’I did so obediently and began, ‘I want to get him back. But I know that he’ll push me away. He almost punched me the last time I saw him.’ With the squint of disbelief, she asked the most important question, ‘What did you say to him?’ And I told her. Eyes widened with a mixture of shock and condemnation, the Virtus wife shook her head profusely. ‘Girl, you might as well kill him yourself.’ Because of my belly, I could only slumped back and slammed my head on the backrest. ‘I know,’ I groaned, ‘now you know why I think I’ll fail before I even make my way over.’ ‘That’s the price you pay.’ Sarah shrugged. And the truth hit me. Just like tha
[Juliette’s POV]I grabbed a pillow and swung it at that pretty face, and the woman bounced onto the bed with a loud ‘Oof’. Then, before she could recover and take control of Sarah’s—or my—hair, I slammed the tough pillow on her face, again and again and again… screaming with the might in each slam. ‘Get off me you bitch!’ huffed the home wrecker, her long, pink nails clawing at my arms like she was drowning. But Sarah, already recovered, grabbed my arm to halt my attacks so she could throw a real slap on that cakey cheek. ‘You’re the bitch, you bitch!’ She roared with my fury. ‘Didn’t you know that the Don’s already married? This is his wife!’The woman jerked back with furious eyes. ‘He’s divorced! Said so himself. Besides.’ She gave me a scan and scoffed. ‘Who wants an oil tank when he can have these!’ She pushed up her big tits and they threatened to spill from her low-V. Fury burst through my lips. ‘I’ll kill you!’ And my pillow started slamming once more. ‘You fat cow!’ She
[Ralph’s POV]As if by itself, the gun vanished in a click. My eyes never left hers, searching those purple swirls as they shimmered and glistened, threatening to spill. And then tremors came. Fighting to pile up, layers upon layers, to cover it all up, wishing—praying—crying—for another way to break this wonderful news to me. Next, the reality of the truth and all that it meant came crashing down. Her system went down and her feet finally gave way. Once again, I was next to her before her knees surrendered and she was safely wrapped in my arms. And then the sounds came through. Sarah was staring at me. Relief seeping into her large shocked eyes, softening them. She studied my expression and huffed, ‘Don’t you dare ask me whose baby is it.’ I looked down at that beautiful creature breathing fine and softly and breathed, ‘Wasn’t going to.’ I swallowed to bring up a less shaky voice and asked, ‘How many—?’ ‘Going on five months,’ she replied, reading my mind. ‘Get the doc,’ I mut
[Juliette’s POV]‘Agatha sent over the photos.’ Ralph was pouring me a glass of orange juice when he noted the phone in my hand and took it quietly. ‘Efficient as always,’ mumbled the King, his eyes rolling furiously. ‘There’s really nothing much.’ I took a huge bite off the buttered croissant and chewed carefully. ‘Just a bunch of people in the family I have to know.’ ‘These photos are from decades ago.’ He held up the phone and the people were in waistcoats and gowns. I nodded and swallowed before taking another bite, and Ralph returned to the photos. ‘Business was as usual for us. Lots of travelling. Lots of parties, lots of handshakes, lots of contracts were signed. Some of them continued on up to this day.’ Ralph was still scrolling when I asked, ‘What was happening with the Virtus clan at that time, do you know?’ The charismatic Mafic glanced up and said, ‘Not much. There were fights. Mainly with the ones who had the bigger piece of the Republic, or the better business for
[Juliette’s POV]Before the door came to a close behind me, Pauline said—-or whispered—beating me to the first word, “I think your father made it very clear over the phone yesterday, Juliette.” Here goes. I grabbed the iPad tightly and lifted my chin, not responding to a word until I sat down, and I took the seat next to Papa. The more Pauline spoke, the softer and more scratchy her voice got, which pains me to listen to it. I had to fight the urge to wince in sympathy. “So, here’s the deal, Juliette. Hand over the evidence you have, and we’ll back you up as CEO of Lux Corp.” I was stunned speechless. This was totally unexpected. Instead of giving me a laundry list of excuses, or berating me for scaring away all the investors, Papa is asking for the evidence I have at hand. He only wants the evidence? But—. “I don’t get it,” I blurted, completely taken aback. “I’ve shown it to you before. But you still chased me out.” My anger had swarmed in. “YOU THREW ME UNDER THE BUS.” Paul
[Juliette’s POV]The thought of dancing under the moonlight, amidst the warm sea breeze, has never crossed my mind until Ralph suggested it. “You’re such a bore.” He smiled with a teasing gaze as I did two twirls. He caught my waist at the perfect moment and pulled me close, snuggling my curves against his frame. That proud toothy grin of his made my heart lose its rhythm, and I lowered my chin to hide the heat in my cheeks. Hooking his elbow around my waist, he leaned in and whispered into my ear, “Why are you blushing?” “Because you’re handsome,” I whispered back and felt a shudder up my spine. Damn, that’s cringey. Thank God, he laughed at the right moment, or I’d have blushed harder. I grabbed more of his back to snuggle deeper and let my left cheek rest on his chest of muscles. Then, very naturally, a sigh of peace and relief left my lips.And very naturally too, he chuckled softly before planting a kiss on the top of my head. “Phase 1 over, kitten.” I closed my eyes to savo
[Juliette’s POV]Things turned out according to Ralph’s prediction. Papa’s gold mine got the news of my findings about Lux Corp and raced against time to meet me. Since there were over a thousand of them, from every corner of the world, Ralph suggested that I meet them all at once. With the help of an ally, we managed to rent a private island that was off the grid and had everyone gathered there for my presentation. It would be a massive one as I would be talking to thirty at a time. Am I nervous? Of course, I am. Even with Papa’s training, the nerves were still there. “You’ll be fine, kitten.” Ralph kissed my fingers, then brushed a loose strand behind my ear. “Numbers are your game.” “I know.” I checked the cue cards for the forty-first time. “But that doesn’t take the nerves away. It’s all your fault. You’ve turned it into some fucking TED talk.” Ralph chuckled. “Even if you cursed out there, it’ll be fine.” An hour later, I was done explaining to the audience of fifty ultra
[Juliette’s POV]“Those VIPs of his casino?” I asked, still in disbelief. He flashed a nodding grin, and I jolted upright, a surge of admiration and awe to my face, and I beamed, grabbing his hands in excitement. “That’s what you’ve been up to?” Then, logic jetted in. “But how? Papa and I are the only ones with that list. And those ultra rich don’t listen to anyone but Papa.” “They listen to the one who leads the people doing their dirty jobs.” I stared speechless at the man who once saved me from a drug lord, and tried to sever all ties with the mafia, get his clan members cleaned up, and reform his family business. This man had done his best to go against the impossible, push the flow and ride the currents. Never once did he bow to failure, except to learn from it. Now, he’s back in the shadows, unable to shake off the darkness and his past, yet he shines far brighter than anyone. Papa may be standing in the light, but he’s as shady as a shady businessman can get. He was study
[Juliette’s POV]I woke up to the most handsome face and the scariest pair of eyes staring at me in the fiercest silence. “Ralph?” I grabbed my throat. “Damn, what’s wrong with my voice? I sound eighty years older.” A glass of water appeared before my eyes and a low, sexy voice gruffed. “Drink.” The cool rim wedged between my lips and the sweetest water carefully slipped in. I sipped hungrily, emptying the glass with a sigh of satisfaction, and a Kleenex pressed the corners of my mouth. “Why did you put sugar in water?” He laid my head cautiously on the pillow. “I put nothing in the water.” “But it’s sweet.” My eyelids felt heavy. “Sleep.” My eyes flew open. It was my turn to stare at the beast till he asked what’s wrong, and I told him. “You’re upset.” “Because you were sick.” “Was I?” I checked myself for scars, and memories of the past forty-eight hours swiftly slotted back into my calendar. Ralph worry-stricken face calling my name repeatedly, stroking my face to get a
[Ralph’s POV]Robert’s gaze shot a warning that was the same as mine: it’s a trap. I held a finger to my lips—an instruction for him to not be heard—and he solemnly nodded. Then, I said, “Why?” “It’s Juliette.” The voice sounded secretive and rushed. “I can’t explain anything. But I’ll get her out. You have to take her away.”It was then I smelled danger and shot forward in my seat to the desk where the phone rested. Still, something feels off. “Why should I trust you?”There was a pause and then a sigh. And then the same voice lowered and exhaled. “Her child needs her, doesn’t he?” Fuck. Fuck that dumb Ben. Fuck that smartass lawyer. The fact that he knew about Milo set off all the red alarms. I sprang into action, like the pathetic Ben who had lost that darn phone and leaked all the secrets. The desperate rush to fix everything right. Oh, her crying had weakened. I rubbed her back in a comforting way, the way her housekeeper always does whenever she’s upset. She pulled back and
[Juliette’s POV]Way to go, Juliette. You fell for your father’s old tricks, and then you fell for some stranger’s weird tricks. Just because he knows your name and says it out loud, you got into his car. Great. I’m going to be trafficked as a sex slave. Milo. I’m never going to see him again. And Ralph. A clean tissue entered my view. My view was misty, so I blinked to clear it, and then realised that I was crying. Quickly, and embarrassingly, I grabbed the offer and dabbed my eyes. The man cleared his throat and repeated my name, and I gave a cold chuckle. “Yes, my father sent you, didn’t he? To get rid of me.” Both open palms waved frantically. “No, Miss! I mean, Madam. I mean, Dona.” “Who the fuck are you?” I wailed. “Just tell me. I can take it!” God, I sound pathetic. But I can’t seem to stop. “W-wait—.” His phone was out, slapped to his ear, and it rang once, then a voice came on, loud and clear. “Yes.” That deep gruff. I spun around like a deer caught in headlights.
[Juliette's POV]Paul caught a glimpse of his bleak future and plonked onto his seat in a pale face. The shareholders around Paul shared his misery while others stared puzzled at Harold Lux as he moved towards the throne at the front of the conference table. He moved past me as though I had never existed, and cold guilt stabbed my chest. “Young people.” Papa sighed. “Give them one tiny piece of candy, and they think they own the entire formula.” Everyone ignored Papa’s invitation to return to their seats. Then, Uncle Jerry stepped forward to deliver the King’s instructions. “The contract is in your email.”“What contract?” I jolted a curious look at Pauline who was reading off her mobile screen, her brows growing closer with surprise and anger. . I felt a crack in my hope and made a lunge like Paul’s.“Don’t sign it!” I yelped, desperation clawing the air. “If you invest more money, Lux Corp would pop like a bubble! The debt’s too huge—we’d be bankrupt before the casino’s ready!”W
[Jewel’s POV]This idiot. She glared down as the baby drank quietly. How dare he ignore my calls! Is he an idiot? We can’t even tell how long those two idiots are going to take, and he wants a baby now? Her finger tips caressed those tiny plump cheeks, and her mouth curled up in a loving smile. It’s not that I don’t want a baby. Heat of worry and anxiety swarmed to the back of her eyes and knocked her eardrums. The Virtus princess perked up with vigilance. Hugging Milo closer to cocoon him from danger, her gaze bounced between the main door and the bedroom door, her Virtus mind calculating and reciting the drill. Bedroom, lock door 1, bathroom, lock door 2. Two knocks. Three knocks. One knock. The Virtus code. Jewel crept closer to the tiny slit between the main door and its frame, and a familiar voice hissed through. “Peach.” Instantly, she unlocked, and the door flung back—only to shut tight. She was in the arms of the man who’d never stopped loving her since they first met. D