The tumultuous scenario playing on Cassie's phone was softly illuminated by the dawn light that came in through the windows of their Paris flat. The screen was loaded with article after article, each with a more provocative headline."The Hidden Scandal behind Cassie Scott: Nicholas's Wife Linked to Fraudulent Ex-Boyfriend" “Cassie Scott's hidden past might destroy Nicholas Scott's legacy”.As Cassie scrolled, her hands shook. The words were jumbled together as her heart thumped in her chest. She had never imagined anything as bad as this."Cassie."Nicholas's voice interrupted her tumultuous thoughts. He was standing in the doorway when she looked up, his face displaying anger and worry.Her voice was hardly heard as she murmured, "I saw it."Nicholas walked across the room and removed the phone from her grasp. "You should quit reading this nonsense. They have nothing else, so they are excavating dirt.”Cassie's voice cracked as she replied, "But it's out there now." "People will ac
With her heart thumping in her chest, Cassie gazed at the television. The anonymous email's attachment contained information connected to her ex-boyfriend Michael, including bank statements, fake contracts, and a series of damaging emails. The evidence presented a picture of deception, dishonesty, and manipulation much more extensive than she had ever thought possible.Even more startling was the fact that Michael was the sender."Cassie, you deserve to know the truth," the email said. “Since I was mistaken, I'm prepared to accept the penalties. If you want closure, see me.”Conflicting feelings whirled around in Cassie's head. She believed the wounds from Michael's treachery would never go away. But here he was, offering her the opportunity as if he were repentant.To face the demons she had been plagued by for years."Cassie?"Nicholas was standing in the doorway worriedly when she turned around.He approached her and asked, "What's wrong?"Cassie contemplated whether or not to info
The living room of the Scott family's Parisian home was bathed in a golden glow as the morning sun streamed in through the French windows. Cassie had spent the previous week painstakingly organizing a tiny, private celebration for the twins' first birthday. A gorgeously prepared cake with little sugar figures of a boy and a girl on it sat on the dining table, and bright balloons in pastel pink and blue drifted close to the ceiling.Cassie fiddled with the bow on Emma's dress as the young child writhed in her lap, laughing at the tickle. Ethan however, was occupied with removing a ribbon from his birthday hat.Cassie smiled and kissed each of their foreheads, teasing them, "You two are the reason I didn't sleep last night."Nicholas came in with a tray of pastries and freshly prepared coffee. He stopped for a second, absorbing the sight in front of him, Cassie with the twins, the decorations, the laughter. It was a picture of joy that he had never thought was attainable only a few mont
The morning sun shone through the wide windows as Cassie sat in her art studio. Her hands rested on a glossy brochure bearing the emblem of one of the most prominent art schools in London. With a relationship that promised financial support, international visibility, and creative freedom, she was invited to extend her art center internationally—an opportunity she had never dared to imagine. But there was a hint of concern mixed with her excitement."What are you thinking about?” Nicholas's voice interrupted her train of thought.He was standing in the doorway with a hot cup of coffee when she turned to face him. Wearing one of his easygoing button-down shirts, which she loved, he appeared at ease. However, his keen gaze caught her uncertainty at once.She held up the pamphlet and added, "I got an offer." "To establish an artistic center in London." It's... enormous.”Nicholas's eyebrows raised in astonishment. After setting the coffee on the table, he approached and took a seat across
Cassie looked out the window and heard nothing but the gentle hum of the private plane. The sea of white clouds below seemed to go on forever, but her mind was anything but serene. She looked at Nicholas, who was sitting across from her, quietly determinedly browsing through his tablet.Breaking the stillness, she remarked, "I still can't believe you planned this."With a slight smile pulling at his lips, Nicholas looked up. “Cassie, you needed a vacation. Both of us did. And it was time to remind you of what life is like when things aren't chaotic.”Though his words were comforting, Cassie's uneasiness from the previous few weeks persisted. She had been troubled by the media hysteria, the reappearance of her old pictures, and Richard's threats."Where are we heading?” In an attempt to change her mind to something more lighthearted, she inquired.Nicholas grinned broadly. "You'll see."A sleek black vehicle took them to their destination a few hours after the jet landed at a small pri
The otherwise tense atmosphere in Nicholas's study was calmed by the regular sound of waves breaking on the shore. The glow of an email illuminated his face as he sat at his desk and gazed at his laptop screen. The offer was an opportunity of a lifetime. He had been called by a well-known business acquaintance, an old corporate friend, who offered to supervise a historic merger that would make Nicholas one of Europe's most influential business magnates.The catch? It required moving to Geneva for at least a year and a full-time commitment.After reading the email a third time, Nicholas reclined in his chair and clenched his fingers. His veins were filled with the old rush, the allure of the corporate war. Beneath that, though, was an uneasy pull at his chest, a reminder of the vow he had given Cassie and their twins."Daddy!"He was startled out of his reverie by the sound of tiny feet scuffing on the wooden floor. With excited expressions, Emma and Ethan rushed inside the room. Treas
Nicholas held his coffee cup and gazed at the garden as the early light streamed into the living room, bathing the wooden floor in a warm glow. He was still troubled by the news from the night before. The recent scandal wasn't as damaging as he had feared—not yet. However, it was sufficient to disturb their already precarious tranquility.Cassie entered the room quietly, her sketchpad wrapped under one arm and her hair tied back in a low ponytail. She gazed at Nicholas with a mix of resolve and worry."Any new information? About the media hysteria,” she inquired.Nicholas gave a headshake. "There is nothing we cannot manage. If we remain together, it will be resolved.”Cassie smiled slightly at him and took a seat next to him on the couch. "That's good because I've been considering something—something more significant than this whole thing."Curious, Nicholas turned to face her. "What is it?"When Cassie opened her sketchbook, she saw preliminary plans for offices, classrooms, and a s
Like all mornings, it began with a flurry of rushed footsteps, laughter, and juice spills. As Nicholas tried to control Ethan's untamed cowlick and Cassie juggled breakfast plates, Emma and Ethan ran around the living room, their laughter resonating throughout the space.As Ethan writhed away, Nicholas laughed and whispered, "Hold still, and buddy.""You're bad at this, Daddy!” When Nicholas poked his side, Ethan objected, his pout turning into a smile.Cassie looked over her shoulder, the image making her heart race. Moments like this made her realize how far they'd come as a family despite the difficulties they'd just encountered.But when Emma abruptly paused in the middle of her pursuit, her tiny hand gripping her chest, the perfect morning took a dramatic turn."Mom...” With a weak voice, she remarked, "I feel funny."Cassie was devastated. She hurried over to Emma and grabbed her before her tiny legs failed. "Hey, Nicholas!” She called, her voice laced with panic.In a moment, N
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