Adrian paced endlessly as the child was wheeled into the emergency unit." Mr Grey, we found his mother, she had been contacted," Doctor Snow said reassuringly and walked out of the waiting room swiftly.Adrian's heart thumped loudly, and he ruffled his lustrous hair, desperately hoping the media hadn't got wind of the unfortunate situation.His driver and butler also stood by his side, quavering guiltily; he didn't bother to spare them a glance as his mind kept praying desperately for the child to survive.Doctor Snow rushed out of the emergency unit "Mr Grey, we need an urgent blood donation for the child, he has lost too much blood and his type isn't in our blood bank at the moment" Adrian didn't think twice before responding immediately, "Test us if you can find his match". His hasty decisions surprised Doctor Snow, who, without delay, sent their blood samples to the laboratory for testing.Mr Black, the butler, was hesitant but concurred eventually with a sharp threat from Adria
"So it was you?" Rissa questioned glaring at Adrian while pacing endlessly in Doctor Snow's office.Adrian was agape as he kept staring blankly at the paper he was holding."Is...is there a possibility of the result being wrong?" he asked, facing Doctor Snow, whose countenance remains unshaken."Mr Grey, I can assure you it was accurately done," Doctor Snow responded firmly.Adrian sat back on the chair, dejected; how was this any way possible? Fathering a child he does not know of.Before he could gather his thoughts, Rissa faced him angrily “You ruined my life and marriage!" She said it with so much hate and spite.Her words juggled Adrian's dwindled memory, he had dreamt of a woman telling him the same thing."It was you! Room 302 Charleston Hotel, November 3rd, seven years ago," Adrian rambled on wide-eyed.Before he could complete his words, Rissa smacked him across the face and walked out angrily.Doctor Snow was perplexed witnessing the awkward situation, especially for a man l
"I am sorry I was late Mr Stockholm," Adrian said with a pleasant smile and shook the other man's hand."It is fine Mr Grey, the dinner is just about to commence," Mr Stockholm responded pleasantly.Mr Stockholm's bodyguard opened the door for Adrian, and he walked in swiftly with his head up high; his domineering aura took over as the domestic staff bowed slightly at his presence.He walked past them into the spacious dinner hall decorated with a shimmering interior."Mr Grey, you are welcome," numerous prominent personalities were greeting him the moment he walked in and he kept shaking their hands politely.Despite every fibre of his being, he would have rather spent more hours staring into Caleb's mesmerizing eyes.His smile faltered when he saw Liam Hickson who pretentiously reached out to honor his presence."Welcome Mr Grey," he said in an icy cold voice despite the mockery smile plastered on his face."I know you are familiar with each other already, Mr Grey, and here is Mrs D
Rissa stole a glance at Adrian as he passed by, she hid behind the bronze statue at the front entrance of Perchy Peach.It is still unbelievable for her after two weeks that her son's accident perpetrator was his father and her boss.She watched the staff and security personnel bow slightly as he walked in.To be honest, Adrian Grey's aura was really domineering and authoritative.She closed her eyes at the memory of smacking him across the face at the hospital."Miss Stonebridge, are you okay?" she heard Mr George say.Adrian stopped in his stride and looked towards the direction of the voice.Rissa closed her eyes in embarrassment and surfaced from behind the bronze statue."Yes....I ..am fine, Mr George," she responded, stuttering.To talk about wrong timing! Mr George always had it."Good morning Mr Grey," Mr George said quavering as he noticed the CEO's presence.Rissa bowed slightly still embarrassed "Good morning Mr Grey," she said and bit her lower lips.Adrian smiled coyly ob
Liam kept picking drinks from different manufacturers and checking through their ingredients before throwing them into his shopping cart.It was his usual periodic habit of tailing their competitors and tracking new products and acceptability.He picked up a can of drink and was about to throw it in the cart when a child ran towards him, and the drink fell from his hand to the floor.Caleb stopped in his stride with guilt written all over him; he picked up the can and handed it over to Liam. "I am sorry," he said, scared of the intimidating figure in front of him.Liam, sensing his unease, bent slightly to meet with his shorter height and ruffled his hair lovingly."It is fine, young lad; you want a drink?" he said, smiling.Caleb didn't respond as Rissa had warned him sternly against taking things from strangers.Liam smiled and stretched out his hand with two cans of drink, gesturing towards him.Caleb collected it reluctantly and ran back, disappearing to the third row of the depar
Diane sank into a seat facing Liam, who was being fed by the housekeeper before she walked in.The moment he saw her, he stopped eating and ordered the housekeeper to excuse them.She batted her long lashes pitifully, her eyes sunken from lack of sleep and tears.Liam scoffed loudly "I think I get it now”, he said, nodding his head weirdly."What?" Diana questioned quietly."You were always such a good actress, always the best at flowing in with each scene”, he said, staring at her dry, chapped lips."I don't understand, babe”, she stated and burst into tears."Aren't your boxes filled with tons of makeup?" he asked sarcastically.Diane touched her dry face "I...I couldn't; I am too depressed for that," she responded downcast.Liam clapped his hands together in mockery "Terribly great actress""Babe, I can explain…I want you to believe me, I know......" She started but Liam interjected hastily."Do you know what Rissa told me? She wished me many more happy years in ignorance," Liam re
"Sweetheart, he....you know what! We will talk about that some other time; Mr Grey has to leave," she said, flustered.Adrian took the clue instantly and offered to drive them back home, which Rissa rejected, but Caleb begged her to accept."Mum! he was telling me a story", he pleaded desperately.Rissa rolled her eyes "Fine”, and walked up to Adrian's car sitting in the hospital parking lot.They alighted in front of the house and Rissa took Caleb to the front pouch where Mandy was waiting."Mandy! The doctor said I am fit now!" Caleb screamed excitedly, and Mandy laughed."That is my superhero”, Mandy responded, playfully hugging him."Mandy, please take him in; I want to have a word with Mr Grey”, Rissa said, pointing towards Adrian's car.Adrian waved to Caleb and Mandy as they looked in his direction.Mandy blushed sheepishly, she moved closer to Rissa's ear and whispered to her."Go out with him if he offers; he is so damn handsome and wealthy!" she said, and Rissa laughed.Ma
Diane stood frozen on the spot. Was it a nightmare? She had better wake up fast.To her dismay, the blood loss didn't cease.She heard the siren of the ambulance van from afar and quickly rushed out to meet up with it.The moment the ambulance van stopped, she pretentiously fainted, which hastened the paramedics to attend to her.Some others went into the house and Rowen was wheeled out with oxygen to support his shallow breathing.Words spread fast across to Liam, whose mind was shattered at the unfortunate situation the Hicksons were in.The same day, Rowen had emergency surgery, which left him in a vegetative state."Mrs Hickson, I am sorry it is gone now," the sonographer said sardonically.Diane closed her eyes and wept loudly; she clenched her stomach, slashing at it."Easy, Mrs Hickson, I am sorry, but the gestational sac that I saw yesterday has emptied and disappeared completely, but not to worry, miscarriages aren't uncommon," she said, trying to console her.Diane scoffed l
The door opened with a loud thud and Adrian jumped up abruptly, his heart thumping loudly that he could barely manage to stand up straight. Rissa rushed towards them, and they all gathered around the surgeon, who threw a casual look at Rissa's exquisite shimmering flowing white gown.“The surgery was successful”Just one word and jubilation filled the air; Bianca and the baby boy had made it, and to their relief, Caleb hugged his cousin Gracia, who was still so overwhelmed that she had gotten a little brother at her teenage age. Bianca’s husband broke down in tears and Adrian had to console him.Adrian held Rissa's hand, and they exited the hospital; now that the baby had been born, they could enjoy the later part of their wedding party in merriment. Once they returned to the venue, Rissa rushed back to her changing room, where her designer was waiting patiently; Adrian had booked her for the whole day’s worth, so she had no problem with their little charade.“Let us skip the second l
The cool breeze blew in Rissa's face, and she felt bliss formed in her heart; for the second time in her lifetime, she heard the priest announce her arrival.“Here comes the bride”All heads turned in her direction, and thousands of eyes followed her gentle stride; from the pleasant look on their faces, her designer had done a flawless job. The stress that came with fitting her bulging stomach into the elegant dress she chose was a really hilarious moment for Camela. Rissa had vowed that her pregnancy wasn't going to stop her from slaying to her wedding.Abraham got up, Stella gave him a reassuring nod and he made for Rissa's side. She gave him a soft smile as the feeling of safety engulfed her; he had been nothing short of a wonderful father figure since she met him, and she wasn't willing to trade him for anyone, even if her real father were to show up, which was very unlikely. Walking her down the aisle, Abraham had truly earned it.Rissa's eyes met Adrian's, he looked at her so dr
Rosa kept shooting daggers at Adrian, but he didn't care; all that mattered was getting them deported out of Los Angeles. The police officers ushered them into the van. Bryan was silent, which bothered Adrian a little, but he overlooked it.Mrs Denver didn't show up; she had invited them, Bryan and Rosa, over only to hand them over to Adrian, who was hellbent on putting them behind bars or getting them deported. Unfortunately, Bryan had no other recorded crime aside from illegal entry, but Rosa could spend a few years behind bars for abetting Diane's crimes.Rosa was being dragged forcibly by a policeman when she screamed out; he released her arm as black blood was seeping out; Adrian remembered their last encounter, the bullet wound, and explained to the officers; they allowed her to undress the wound, to their surprise, it was rotting away.Adrian closed his eyes, disgusted by the pungent smell coming out of them; they decided to take her to the hospital while Bryan was to go into d
“I believe you are holding our family's treasure, Mr. Hickson.”Mrs Denver's loud voice cut through the air, the amusement behind her voice, a loud sound of victory. Liam contemplated calling off her charade but he decided to be civil about it.“I thought you said she wasn't your husband’s illegitimate daughter?” he questioned with a slightly raised brow.“I lied, but now that the three of them are dead and I don't have to take sleeping pills to force myself to sleep, I need to rub it in my husband's face by burying her ashes beside his”.Liam paused for a few seconds savouring the bitterness behind her words. She wasn't totally wrong. Diane’s bad blood was inherited from her callous father, Mr Denver, and they didn't really deserve any mercy. He looked down at the ceramic he was holding and stretched it forward to her.He had achieved his aim already, so having her ashes taken away by her family wasn't a big deal. His mind drifted off to the day he got their divorce papers signed, th
*Diane's Dream*Clara tried holding Diane's hand, but she pushed her hands away; the pain in her eyes, the unspoken resentment, she wondered how she even recognized her, but none of it seemed to matter; she just wanted to get out of her sight.“I am sorry my child”Diane turned around and gave her a disdainful look as if it mattered at all; all she wanted was to return to Rissa's ward and infuse the poisonous substance into her bloodstream. She looked around herself, everywhere looked so bright and deserted.She walked on, ignoring the helpless lady standing by her side pleading for her forgiveness; her life had been made miserable all thanks to her mother's reckless choice of man.“Diane, I never abandoned you, it is just….”“Save it to yourself, woman; I do not think I want to hear your excuses; I just want to get the hell out of here.”To her surprise, the woman did as she said, within a split second she disappeared, replaced by an all too familiar face, Mr Smith. Diane felt fear
“Adrian, am I pregnant?” Rissa wanted to scream but she held it in. An awkward silence ensued in the room; Adrian looked away instantly, avoiding Rissa's piercing gaze. Liam took it as a clue to leave, his bombshell seemed to have caused a shift in the atmosphere of the room.“I will check up on you later,” Liam said and winked playfully at Caleb, who smiled warmly in return. He walked out of the room with Adrian by his side. The moment they were out of sight, he apologized profusely to Adrian for spilling the beans. He had unintentionally eavesdropped on Adrian and the doctor's conversation earlier, which made him realize she was pregnant at a very early stage.“It is fine; congratulations to you, too. I guess Mrs. Hickson must be overwhelmed.”“She is, our daughter Bella is barely eight months old and……wait! Why are we talking about this?” Liam said bewildered.“Beats me too; we aren't friends after all,” Adrian responded, and awkwardly, they both laughed heartily.Adrian and Liam
Bryan paced endlessly, agitated by the silence around him. She had promised to reach out to him when the coast was clear but apparently something unfortunate had happened. He ruffled his lustrous hair as frustration welled up in him. Rosa wasn't the type to ghost him indefinitely.He thought inwardly about taking the offer discreetly. Mrs. Denver had reached out to him without Rosa's knowledge; she had warned him of her two-faced plot, and he was caught between calling it a bluff or actually naming her a traitor.Diane and Rosa have their pictures and videos circulating the internet. He was certain they were together but had she changed her mind and taken Diane's side again? He didn't want to talk about it.A knock sounded at the door, and he opened it immediately; he staggered backward, startled; he had expected a hotel attendant, but to his amazement, two prominent men in Los Angeles had paid him a visit.“Can we come in?”Bryan’s eyes widened, and he stared intently into Adrian Gre
Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-ThreeWhen It Seems to Be OverLiam couldn't help but feel impressed by Adrian Grey again. He had always surpassed his expectations in every way possible. The news of his family's safe return had raised a lot of jubilations that made even Liam happy.When the news of Rissa and Caleb's kidnap was aired, fear gripped him; he couldn't take his eyes off his family for days. He felt bad for Adrian, but he felt worse because it was Rissa. Bella crawled up to him enthusiastically flaunting her rattle in his face.Liam picked her up and wrapped his arm around her, she was growing up way too fast that it gave him unexplainable joy. Amber entered the room looking dejected and Liam got worried. He walked up to her and inquired what the problem was, her response shocked him to the bone marrow.“You mean we are having another baby?” He questioned wide-eyed.Amber responded with a short nod and busted into tears. Liam left the room immediately to drop Bella with her n
“Shall we play a game, Adrian?” Her devilish wink sent shivers down his spine; he looked down at Caleb, who seemed to be fidgeting too; he exchanged knowing looks with him, assuring him of having the situation under control.“The rules are simple: just nod your response, no talking, you talk, he dies! non-negotiable”.Adrian closed his eyes and nodded in affirmation, Diane sat up on the chair and faced him while still on his knees. Adrian could feel his knees hurting, but he didn't care at all; all that mattered to him was getting his family out of the hellhole.“Did Mr Smith offer you a deal?”Adrian nodded affirmatively, and Diane cursed inwardly; she suspected that sly bastard was up to something; she should have thrown him to the fishes when she had the chance.Her phone rang, and she looked over at it; she exchanged stiff glances with Rosa, who got the message clearly. Rosa came close to her and held Caleb by the shoulder while Diane left to pick up her discreet call.Rosa star