Sitting at the kitchen table, Cassie traced invisible patterns with her fingertips. Like a question she didn't want to answer, Nicholas's offer lingered in the air. Nicholas moved forward across from her, his elbows resting on the table, his face displaying a mixture of vulnerability and resolve.Nicholas stated, "This isn't just about the business." "It's about the legacy I want to leave for you and the twins—the life we're creating."Cassie quickly glanced at the empty coffee mug before her. But Nicholas, at what cost? Relocating halfway around the globe? Leaving behind all of the hard work we have put in?With a groan, Nicholas grabbed her hand across the table. "I am aware that this is a difficult choice. However, I don't”“But without you, I don't want to do this. Cassie, you and the twins have taken over my life. I need you by my side.”Cassie's thoughts were diverted by the twins' gentle cries coming from the upstairs nursery. She wanted to stand by Nicholas, on the one hand. O
When the plane touched down in Paris at daybreak, it was a blaze of pink and gold. From the window, the Eiffel Tower could be seen in the distance, its silhouette a stark reminder of the huge jump they were taking.Despite the city's seeming beauty, Cassie couldn't eliminate the uneasiness wriggling in her gut.As the baby woke up, Nicholas held one of the twins and cooed gently. His voice was filled with pleasure as he smiled and said, "Welcome to Paris."Cassie smiled back, but her mind was already far ahead. How would she handle a strange country, an unfamiliar culture, and an ethic of life that seemed increasingly tailored toward Nicholas's objectives? It was opulent but distant, with elaborate moldings, high walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing stunning city views.Ever the optimist, Nicholas was astounded by the room when movers carried in boxes. After placing the twins' carrier in the living room, he declared, "This will be ideal." "Imagine how much the kids will enjoy
While Nicholas got ready for another hectic day of meetings, Cassie was feeding the twins in the bright breakfast nook of their Paris apartment. For a while, it seemed they were settling into a routine among the turmoil of their new existence as the aroma of freshly baked croissants blended with the gentle coos of the infants.When Nicholas's phone buzzed, the peace was broken. He froze, looking at the screen. He tightened his hold on the phone, his jaw gritted."Who is it?” Cassie inquired in a lighthearted yet inquisitive tone.After hesitating, Nicholas responded. "DuPont, Joyce."Although Cassie didn't care for the name, she became tense when Nicholas spoke it because of the strain in his voice and the spark of something unreadable in his eyes."Who is Joyce?” Her tone remained neutral as she inquired."She's... Nicholas put down the phone and dismissed it, saying, "An old acquaintance." "It isn't significant."Cassie, however, was wiser. Although Nicholas was a great businessman,
With its cobblestone alleys and golden sunsets, Paris was a haven for artists and a hive of inspiration. However, it had been a simmering annoyance for Cassie that had rekindled her love of painting. She now spent her afternoons perusing galleries and studying the works of masters who previously strolled these same streets, while her mornings were occupied with sketchbooks and palettes.Little bits at first, made while the twins were napping or late at night when her mind wouldn't go to sleep. She found comfort and an escape from the chaos that had engulfed her relationship with Nicholas in the therapeutic process of stroking colors into a blank canvas.Her intention was for no one to view her artwork. However, her gallery buddy Sophie happened to drop by their apartment one afternoon and noticed an incomplete painting.Sophie exclaimed, "This is amazing," as she gazed at Cassie's painting's striking brushstrokes and minute details. "Why haven't you told anyone about these?"Cassie sh
For two-year-olds, Paris was a world of startling novelty, even though it was a city of dreams. Ethan and Emma, the twins, were having a hard time adjusting to their new routines. Cassie and Nicholas were exhausted because frequent outbursts and irregular sleep schedules had replaced their normally upbeat personalities.One morning, Emma was sitting in the corner of the nursery, clutching her favorite stuffed animal, her bottom lip quivering, when Cassie entered. Ethan stood by the window, sulking as he peered out at the strange metropolis while putting his small fists against the glass.“What's the matter, my dears?” Cassie lowered herself to Emma's level and requested quietly.Emma buried her face in her bunny and muttered, "I don't like it here."Ethan continued without looking out the window, "Want to go home?"Cassie felt her heartache at home. Even she found it to be an elusive concept. She reached for Ethan's hand and gathered Emma in her arms. "I swear, we'll make this place f
Whispers and conjecture were nothing new in Paris, but when Nicholas's opponent, the cunning Victor Delacroix, dropped a bombshell, the city appeared to buzz with an uncharacteristic intensity. Overnight, headlines arose accusing Nicholas of unscrupulous business methods and dubious business deals in his European growth.According to Nicholas, the accusations were both hurtful and absurd. Still, they had the intended impact: investors started to doubt his credibility, board members demanded explanations, and business partners became wary.With a lukewarm cup of coffee in one hand and his phone in the other, Nicholas rested at the edge of the dining table.The fatigue in his eyes made Cassie's heart hurt as she observed him from the kitchen."Is there anything new?” She broke the stillness by asking.Nicholas sighed sharply and tossed his phone onto the table, saying, "Victor is playing dirty." Just enough truth has been inserted by him to give the lies legitimacy. Weeks will pass befo
Through the windows of their penthouse, they could see the Paris skyline, the city's lights shimmering like far-off stars. Inside, however, the mood was everything but calm. A powder keg waiting for a spark, Cassie and Nicholas's tension had reached its breaking point.With her arms folded and eyes blazing, Cassie stood in the middle of the living room. With his tie unfastened and a look of annoyance on his face, Nicholas strode close to the windows.With a stern yet hushed voice, Cassie stated, "We need to talk."Without glancing at her, Nicholas answered, "I figured."In an attempt to calm the storm that was building inside of her, Cassie inhaled deeply. "Are you even aware of how much you've been excluding me? It seems I haven't existed since Victor launched this campaign against you. There are no twins. Your effort is the only thing that counts.”Nicholas paused his pacing and looked at her. "That is unfair. You, the twins, and our future are the reasons for everything I do. Do yo
Their Parisian home's study was poorly lit, with only one desk lamp illuminating Nicholas's face as he combed through the papers arranged before him. The only sounds in the tense air were the odd creak of his leather chair and the soft buzz of the metropolis outside. His normally calm manner was overtaken by a maelstrom of emotion that simmered beneath the surface as he turned each page, his jaw clenched.An anonymous email with the single words, "Look closer at your father," was sent to his account as the initial tip, and a file was attached. At first, Nicholas had written it off as a joke or another media tactic to stir things up. However, he couldn't get rid of the persistent suspicion that there was more to the story as the days passed and the allegations of financial malfeasance spread like wildfire.He had finally plucked up the guts to open the file tonight. He discovered incriminating documentation of payments to specific board members, offshore accounts, and backdoor transact
Nicholas Scott's business was founded on honesty, foresight, and an unwavering determination to build a sustainable future. But Derek Langston's well-planned smear campaign destroyed his reputation in just a few weeks.The media had been relentless, and accusations of financial malfeasance were featured in the headlines. Partners left, investors paused, and even the public, who had previously been captivated by Nicholas's environmentally conscious vision, started to doubt him.However, Nicholas didn't allow other people to control his destiny.That was going to change tonight.Nicholas was in his home office with his top executives and son, Ethan, reviewing the most recent discoveries. Ethan had been crucial in exposing Langston's façade weaknesses and had inherited his father's keen business sense."Dad, this is it," Ethan informed him, tapping his laptop screen. "Derek's been funneling money through a web of offshore accounts. It's textbook money laundering, and he's been covering h
Nicholas sat in his private office, staring at the phone, Derek Langston's last words still echoing in his mind. "You don't know what's going to take place next." He felt a chill run through him. Derek was too familiar to him. The man's threats weren't baseless.With a strained attitude, Cassie walked inside the room. "I just hung up with Julia on the phone. Although the media is still quite active, public opinion is shifting back in your favor.Nicholas let out a sigh and put the phone down. “That's excellent. Derek won't be deterred, though. This was only his first tactic.”Cassie folded her arms. "After that, we must be prepared for whatever comes next."David Clarke, Nicholas's assistant, called as if on cue. He was put on speaker by Nicholas."We have a problem, sir."Nicholas gave his temple a rub. "Now what?"David spoke in a somber tone. "Someone just breached our company's servers. Private documents were viewed.Cassie's gaze expanded. "Who do we know?"David paused. "We id
It was a tidal wave of a storm.Nicholas Scott was scrolling through his phone in his office as a deluge of remarks, tweets, and news pieces arrived. The headlines were filled with accusations, portraying his company as unethical, exploitative, and crooked. The public outrage was increasing by the second, and the story appeared to have been picked up by every news outlet.With an expression that was a mixture of disbelief and rage, Layla rushed into the room. "Nicholas, have you seen this? They're saying you've been using offshore accounts to evade taxes and manipulating stock prices!"He put his phone down and let out a deep exhale. "I've seen it."His thoughts were immediately racing, trying to figure out where the leak might have come from. He had been making sure his business dealings were ethical for years. Someone had planned this attack to take him down, so it wasn't just any strike."This isn't just a smear campaign," Layla went on, pacing the room. "It's detailed. They have f
Sitting in her art studio, Cassie Scott gazed at the blank canvas. The air was filled with the familiar smell of oil paint and turpentine, which is typically reassuring. However, it felt oppressive today.The brush seemed heavy and unfamiliar in her fingers, as though she had forgotten how to handle it correctly.She hadn't painted anything for herself in weeks. She spent her days organizing exhibitions, teaching aspiring artists, and helping students on their artistic paths. She had pushed them to find their voices and supported them.However, she had lost her own in the process.She waited for the recognizable burst of inspiration as she pressed the brush's bristles on the canvas.Nothing arrived.With a harsh exhale, Cassie threw the brush on the table.What's the matter with me?This was the hardest she had ever struggled. Her passion and escape had always been art. But now she was just frustrated as she stared at the blank canvas.And anxiety.Cassie stood in front of her mentors
Nicholas Scott looked out at the skyline from his glass-walled office, high above New York City. Below, everything went according to its normal rhythm: buildings shining in the afternoon sun, cars honking, and people hurrying.However, anarchy was developing inside Scott Enterprises.His company was under siege. It had begun quietly, with a few unfavorable headlines and rumors of scandal. Then, it blew up into a major crisis.Breaking: Is Nicholas Scott's Eco-Initiative a Scam? Terra Vision is under fire.”Examiners looking into "unethical” business practices—TERRA VISION STOCK PLUMMETS.Nicholas's jaw tightened. Every one of the charges was false.And he was fully aware of its perpetrator. Langley, Victor.An old ghost. He once had a crush on a businessman. He had returned with a vengeance.Nicholas moved away from the window and spoke to his head of security, Daniel Reeves, and his public relations strategist, Cynthia Lawson, his eyes glimmering with icy resolve."Explain the comple
Emma and Ethan Scott, twins, have lived their whole lives in the shadow of grandeur. Expectations were always high because their mother was Cassie Scott, and their father was Nicholas Scott. Being "the billionaire's children" was never enough for them, they had spent countless hours creating their legacies.At this point, they were about to prove themselves.Emma had recently finished her first solo painting show in Paris, continuing her mother's artistic legacy. Critics hailed her art as "the fresh new voice of modern impressionism."The tech-savvy twin, Ethan, was preparing for something even more significant.Ethan spent the previous two years creating a ground-breaking artificial intelligence program to make cities more effective, sustainable, and climate change-adaptable. His biggest test came today, even though his business, Scott Tech Innovations, has been making headway in the tech sector.If he is successful, he will introduce investors, engineers, and world leaders to his AI
With the floor-to-ceiling windows of Scott Enterprises' headquarters framing his shadow, Nicholas Scott stood at the front of the spacious conference room. Behind him, the skyline of New York reminded him of his progress and future goals.Anticipation permeated the atmosphere. His senior executives, board members, and investors, who had faith in his leadership, were seated before him. Today, however, was different. He was starting a revolution today, not merely announcing another business milestone.Behind him, the enormous LED screen flashed to life, revealing the audacious new moniker of his most recent endeavor:The room echoed with gasps.Before he spoke, Nicholas inhaled steadily. "The future is this. This is what we left behind.”He looked around, reading the faces of those present, some interested, some doubtful, and others opposed. That was anticipated. Upending an industry had a price."As we enter a new era, accountability will become as crucial to business as profitability.
Cassie has always thought that people may change people's lives. Hers, for sure, had been altered. From an early child drawing on napkins in her mother's café to a world-renowned artist, she has led a colorful, passionate, and inventive life. However, something has changed recently.She continued to enjoy painting because she could express stories with her brushstrokes that words could not. However, a voice inside her had been urging her to do more for months.As soon as Emma entered her studio with a big envelope in her hand, the whisper became a loud shout.Emma, barely controlling her joy, added, "Mom." "This arrived just now. The Global Art Initiative is its source.”As Cassie brushed paint off her hands, she arched an eyebrow. "The International Art Project?"Emma virtually bounced on her feet as she nodded. "They want you to coach Ghanaian new talents! This six-month program in Kumasi works with exceptionally brilliant students from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are providing
Nicholas Scott has outmaneuvered vicious adversaries, negotiated billion-dollar agreements, and established empires. However, when he sat in his home office and gazed at the business plan, he experienced a strange feeling: uncertainty.Neither a competition, an investor, nor even an old buddy made the idea.His son gave it to him.Ethan made a daring, audacious, and ambitious pitch. A sustainable energy technology firm aims to eliminate intermediaries and make renewable energy available to everyone by delivering off-grid solar solutions to underprivileged regions.It was an innovative concept with the potential to change the industry.It was risky, though.Nicholas was aware of the harshness of the energy industry. Ethan might lose power if he chose the wrong investors. His reputation would suffer if the technology failed.However...Never before had Nicholas been so pleased with his kid.Holding a cup of tea, Cassie came into the office. She could tell exactly what her spouse was thi