Leah and Jeremy laid cuddled up in bed and were having a heart to heart talk.Jeremy ran his fingers gently through Leah’s hair, his touch slow and deliberate. He watched the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed in rhythm with his own heartbeat. She looked peaceful, yet alert—her eyes slightly closed, her fingers idly tracing circles on his chest.After a few moments of silence, Jeremy broke it.“How many kids would you like to have?” he asked, his voice soft but steady.Leah blinked, then tilted her head back slightly to look up at him. “Huh?” she said, scrunching her nose in that endearing way she always did when she was confused or caught off guard. “Why are we having this conversation now?”“Why not?” Jeremy shrugged, adjusting himself slightly so he could see her face better. “We’ll get married, won’t we?”Leah’s cheeks flushed instantly. She looked away, biting her lower lip as a shy smile crept onto her face. “You aren't romantic at all,” she teased. “What a poor way of p
The early morning rays slipped lazily through the half-open blinds, shining on Leah’s face as she stirred beneath the sheets. Jeremy’s arm was still around her, his breathing calm and even. For a brief moment, the world felt safe. No traitors, no secrets, no pain. Just warmth.But safety was an illusion, and Leah knew it.She sat up quietly, careful not to wake Jeremy, and reached for her phone. She hadn’t checked it since the night before, wanting to be present with him. Her inbox was flooded with emails, but one stood out. It was from Sarah, her father's former assistant, now working quietly in legal. The subject line simply read:“We need to talk. In person.”Leah’s pulse quickened. Sarah wasn’t one to panic. If she was reaching out like this, it meant something big. Leah’s mind went straight to the file. Could Sarah have discovered something?Just then, Jeremy stirred and opened his eyes, blinking away the light. His voice was raspy with sleep. “Already up?”Leah nodded, showing h
Rain tapped gently against the windows as Leah sat at her desk, rereading one of the letters Noah had given her. Ivan’s words were written with raw emotion; part regret, part bitterness. But one line lingered in her mind like an echo:"You forgot us and chose a stranger. Even in forgetfulness, you chose Maggie."Leah stared at the sentence, her lips parting in disbelief. It didn’t sit right. Not just because of the words themselves, but because of the intent. The accusation wasn’t about memory. It was about betrayal. As if her amnesia was a weapon she had wielded on purpose.Her chest tightened. Something deeper lurked beneath the surface of these letters.She flipped through the other letters again, this time slower, looking beyond the words. The tone varied. Some were loving, others accusatory. But a few of them… they were cold. Detached. Like they weren’t written for healing but for reminding her of a debt.Leah frowned. Why would someone write you letters you were never meant to r
“I know it hurts and you're upset, but you can't be at war with your brother,” Noah said, his voice filled with concern as he leaned forward on the couch, the phone pressed tightly on his ear. The atmosphere in his apartment was quiet, except for the distant hum of traffic outside his window.On the other end of the call, Leah let out a bitter laugh, one that sounded more like a scoff than amusement. “My enemy, you mean. He staged the war. He hates me with a passion. You don't understand, Noah.” Her voice trembled slightly, the pain and betrayal etched into every syllable. “Forget it. How are you?”“I'm good. Hey, buddy. Handle this with wisdom, please. Tell mama about it,” Noah advised.“I don't want to trouble that poor woman. She's already been through too much. I'll handle Ivan. Don't worry,” Leah said firmly. There was a finality in her tone. “I gotta go. Talk later.”“Alright. Bye,” Noah said softly before hanging up.He set his phone down and sat still for a moment, absorbing e
The rain had stopped by morning, but the world felt no lighter. Leah stood in the kitchen, the mug in her hands long gone cold. Her thoughts spun in a thousand directions, each one pulling at a different thread of betrayal.Jeremy entered, still in the same shirt from the night before. “No sleep?”Leah shook her head. “Sleep feels like a luxury I can’t afford.”He leaned against the counter. “I combed through more of the files. Ivan didn’t just want to remove you from the board… he wanted to erase your entire claim. Financially. Legally. He’s built a case against you using your amnesia.”Leah set her mug down. “And Monica?”“She’s been a go-between. Messages. Meetings. Hush-hush coordination. But it gets worse. There are references to a player, someone labeled as M. Ivan’s not acting alone.”Leah’s eyes narrowed. “M? Same as C. M. Voss, or a different person” Jeremy shook his head. “I have no idea. But whoever M is… they’ve funded parts of this. Masked transfers. Multiple shell compa
Ivan had been invited by the board members, and as soon as he arrived, two police men covered him.“Ivan Fisher,” one of the police men said. “You're under arrest fo the attempted murder of Leah Fisher.”His hands were cuffed behind his back as he stepped out with the police men, the flash of red and blue lights reflected off the glass doors, casting eerie shadows across his face. The officers barely spoke as they read him his rights. There was no need for dramatics. The real spectacle was the betrayal written across Ivan’s eyes.Monica stood still. She didn’t cry, didn’t plead. She just watched, her lips tight and her shoulders stiff. Then she rushed to her station and was quickly clearing her desk, as if trying to run away and never return.Leah couldn't understand what was happening. Who had called the police on Ivan? He was being arrested for orchestrating her accident. She didn't report it even after she found out. Then who did?Was it Monica? Had she doublecrossed Ivan?She ru
Elizabeth was preparing to go to the office that morning when she slummed.Thankfully, her mother, Mrs. Callahan was present.She quickly made a phone call and requested for an ambulance, and in no time, the ambulance arrived.The nurses moved swiftly, the hum of overhead fluorescent lights, and the wheeled gurney rushing past in a blur. On it lay Elizabeth, her body weak, trembling, her breathing shallow and erratic. Maggie stood frozen, her heart pounding like a war drum in her chest as she watched the hospital staff work swiftly around her.Alfred was by Elizabeth’s side, passing instructions to the nurses, his voice tight with urgency. He had tried to remain composed for as long as he could, but this—this was different. Elizabeth’s lips had turned a terrifying shade of blue by the time they arrived, and her eyes, though they were open, they seemed to flutter between consciousness and something far more terrifying.As the nurses wheeled Elizabeth into the emergency room, the doors
Leah didn't go home after office hours that day. She rotated herself in her chair, her mind spinning on the recent events, until sleep found her.She had rested her head on the table, hoping to rest only for a little while, but sleep came like a thief and dragged her into unconsciousness.When she opened her eyes, the world around her had changed.This wasn't her office.Her neck ached as she jerked upright, blinking rapidly as she observed the surroundings. Cold, clean air. A dim light from a nearby desk lamp. Her eyes adjusted to the space, and that’s when she realized where she was.Jeremy's office? How?She looked at her wristwatch. It was past 9 PM. She tried to get up when she noticed she'd been tied to the chair she was sitting on. What the heck! She struggled to break free, twisting her body violently, testing the binds, but the ropes held firm. “What the hell is going on?” she muttered, her voice shaky.“Hello!” she called out, but she only heard the echoes of her own voice
The trap had been set perfectly.As it had been predicted, Clara made her move. And she didn’t waste time.While Jeremy and Leah were at the penthouse, still trying to find out where Maggie, Mama, Ivan and Keira were, the clock started ticking toward a confrontation that would define the future of everything they had fought for.Inside the boardroom of HARPER CORPORATION, Clara was already executing the plan.Foster, Jeremy’s trusted man stationed inside the surveillance control room, caught sight of it happening through the cameras. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Clara standing confidently at the head of the polished, obsidian conference table, facing the assembled board members.Without hesitating, Foster grabbed his phone and started texting furiously.—Foster: Sir, she’s here. It’s happening. Boardroom. Emergency.—Foster: She’s gathered everyone. She's making a move.—Foster: Live feed showing now. Urgent.Jeremy's phone buzzed in his pocket. He had strictly instructed Fost
The low hum of the airplane filled the silence between Jeremy and Leah. The private jet flew through the night, taking Jeremy to a challenging situation he wasn't sure he could handle. He stared out the small oval window, watching the dark clouds swirl and the endless black stretch before him. His mind was filled with worrisome questions, none with answers he liked.His father.Alive.The man Jeremy had mourned, idolized, defended even when others accused. The same man who had once filled his childhood with warmth and strength… yet had also, in hidden shadows, betrayed his mother with Big Margaret — the woman who had caused more havoc than Jeremy could have ever imagined.If he had been alive all these years, why hadn't he reached out? Why had he allowed Jeremy and Maggie to suffer, to believe he was dead, to build their lives on lies and pain? Why had he joined forces with Margaret, forming something as monstrous as Ares Protocol?Jeremy closed his eyes briefly, exhaling slowly throu
The phone slipped from Jeremy’s fingers. He barely caught it before it hit the floor. His heart pounded violently against his ribcage, a deafening rhythm in the stillness of the office. He looked at Leah, his face expressed disbelief—shock. Perhaps he was hoping that she might confirm that this wasn’t real, that it was some cruel illusion crafted by his stressed mind."I... I don't understand you," Jeremy said finally, his voice rough and uneven, still battling the reality Maggie had just thrust upon him.Maggie's voice trembled through the speaker. "It's true, Jeremy. He's here… at the penthouse in Japan."Jeremy's lips parted, but no words came out. His hands tightened into fists at his sides. His wide, unblinking eyes stared through Leah, through the walls, through everything.His head was filled with thoughts.How?And if true, why?Why had the man stayed away all these years?Was he here now out of love and loyalty or was he plotting something sinister with those who had been tr
Jeremy frowned as he dialed Maggie’s number for the third time. Again, the call didn’t go through. The automated voice repeated, "The number you're trying to call is currently switched off. Please try again later."He pulled the phone away from his ear, staring at the screen like it would change the outcome."Her phone is still off," he said, puzzled.Leah turned to him from across the desk, arching a curious brow. “Maggie’s phone is off?”“Yeah. It's weird. Her phone is never off,” Jeremy muttered, eyes narrowing. “Something feels off. She always picks.”“Try again?” Leah suggested, though her voice lacked urgency. Her gaze had shifted. Like she was less focused on the problem at hand and more on him.Jeremy was about to dial again, but when he glanced up, Leah was staring at him… differently.Her head tilted ever so slightly, her lips parted just enough to reveal a hint of a sultry smile, and her eyes darkened with unmistakable mischief. Slowly, she rose from her chair and walked ar
Leah could perceive the sweet aroma of freshly baked croissants and sizzling eggs as she stepped into The Maple Grove, a quaint yet upscale eatery nestled between two tall buildings on Eastbourne Street. The morning rush hadn’t quite begun, so the place felt warm, inviting, and quiet—just as she remembered. It was the kind of place that offered comfort in chaos, and today, she needed that comfort.The hostess greeted her with a soft smile and recognition in her eyes. “Ms. Leah! It’s been a while.”Leah smiled back, her voice a little strained from the weight of everything she’d been carrying. “Yeah, it has. Just stopping by for breakfast.”“Jeremy not with you today?” the hostess asked, leading her to their usual corner table by the window.Leah shook her head. “No, he’s at the office. I’ll be taking some breakfast to him, too.”The woman nodded knowingly, placing the menu before Leah. “The usual?”Leah nodded. “Yes, please. Two of everything.”As she waited, she looked out the window
The morning sun shone brightly, lighting up the Fisher estate. The living room was quiet—a calm before a storm everyone could sense but couldn’t see. Leah sat at the edge of the sofa, her hands folded across her lap, trying to hide her nervousness.Jeremy stood by the window, staring out with a pensive look, his jaw tight. His phone buzzed on the table, and he glanced at it before ignoring the call. His mind was elsewhere, calculating, preparing.He turned and looked at Leah, concern evident in his eyes.“Sure you’re strong enough to go with them to the airport?” he asked gently, stepping toward her.Leah looked up at him, offering a small but determined smile. “Yeah, I am. Don’t worry.”She knew her body wasn’t in top shape as she was still recovering, but her spirit, her will, wouldn’t let her stay back. Not when the people she loved were being sent into hiding, even temporarily. She had to be there. She needed to see it for herself—that they were safe, that they got on the plane, t
Outside of town, in a secretive, quiet place, a lady was standing; waiting, her arms folded across her chest, her breath coming out in even mists as the evening chilled. The only sounds were the distant calls of birds settling in for the night and the subtle crunch of gravel beneath approaching footsteps.Clara appeared moments later, dressed in dark jeans and a loose sweater, her blonde hair tucked beneath a cap. She moved quickly, glancing over her shoulder every few seconds. Her heart was beating fast, but not from fear—at least not entirely. There was something else pulsing through her veins: adrenaline, purpose, the knowledge of what they were about to set in motion.The lady had a striking resemblance with Clara. Their face, height, complexion, everything. They were mirror images. The only difference was that she had sharper edges and a colder aura."Update," the woman said, her tone brisk, as though she wasn’t interested in pleasantries. Even her voice echoed Clara’s, but wit
Morning light came through the curtains, casting soft lines on the walls. Leah woke up, still feeling the effects of the previous night. She lay in bed for a few seconds, enjoying the warmth and Jeremy's gentle breathing—the faint scent of him lingering in the pillows.Slowly, she got up from the bed, careful not to wake him. She yawned as she sat upright, her bare skin kissed by the gentle chill of the room. It was then she realized she was completely naked, her breasts still standing and pointed; sensitively alive, a sweet reminder of how passionately they’d expressed their love just hours ago.Last night had been more than sex. It had been soul meeting soul, a temporary sanctuary from the chaos that constantly clawed at their lives. With Margaret’s evil still echoing through the walls, with betrayal and secrets swirling in every corner of Empire Hub, and possibly Fisher Enterprise, they'd found comfort in the only place that still felt safe: each other.Leah slipped into her silky
Leah had gone with Jeremy to see Ivan. “Please wait for me. Let me go in alone,” she said to Jeremy.“Okay,” Jeremy said without any argument.He trusted Leah so much, more than himself even. She was extremely smart and her gut feelings were usually right.Leah walked in and the warder went to bring Ivan out.Ivan couldn't look at Leah. He bent his head, avoiding her gaze.“Look at me,” Leah said, her tone firm.Ivan didn't look up.“Ivan, look at me, I said!” She sounded authoritative this time.“I can't. I'm too ashamed,” Ivan admitted, crying softly.“You were brainwashed. Big Margaret was very manipulative. I don't blame you, Ivan,” she paused and stretched her hands to his. “I'm getting you out of here, I promise.”Ivan finally raised his head up and looked at her, surprised at her words. She would help him after everything?Leah nodded as if she could hear his thoughts.— — —Jeremy was still being troubled about Clara or Claudia or whoever she was. She was an infiltrator and s