Jeremy had offered to drop Leah off and then go to the salon to fix his hair and beards. And then he'd pick her up and take her home. They were sitting at the back seat, quietly, while Jackson drove the car. “Since we'll just be quiet like this, could Jackson please play a good song?” Leah requested. Jeremy looked at her and looked way, facing his front. He didn't answer her. “Jackson, please play something good,” Leah said softly. Jackson glanced through the mirror. “Yes ma'am,” he said. Then he played “Piano Man” by Brandy. Leah's face lit up. “An old song. I could sing the lyrics as a teenager. You listen to these songs too? I had expected something different in your playlists.” “Not my playlist,” Jeremy said and looked steadily at the window. “Jackson, it's yours?” Leah asked, surprised. Jackson smiled. “Yes, ma'am.” “You have “Long Distance?” Leah asked. “I do,” Jackson replied, his face covered with smiles. “Afrodisiac?” Leah asked again, enjoying the co
“Leah, after all this is over, we should take a photoshoot together, to celebrate our birthday in December this year,” Noah suggested. Noah and Leah shared the same birth date, 29th December. Noah was just born three years earlier. Their birthday had always been a special connection between them. Leah forced a smile. “Sure. When all this is over,” she said. Leah's mind was far. Far from birthday shoots. Jeremy was in danger too, and she couldn't bear the thought of it. “Noah, shouldn't we report this matter to the police? They can help save my dad before Big Margaret finally kills him. They killed her driver. They're after Jeremy too. Who knows how many more people they'll kill,” Leah said, fear and panic written all over her. “Leah, get a grip on yourself. We can't tell the police. We'll get arrested instead. Big Margaret has connections. She knows people, and I'm sure she has backings,” Noah explained, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders. “So does Jeremy. He has co
“Leah, I have a plan,” Jeremy said in his room, his voice low but steady.Leah's eyes sparkled with interest. She was leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed. “Tell me about it.”“I told you Dr. Albert had called, right? He has referred to a therapist outside of town.” He paused, his expression conflicted. “I wasn't going to go, but I think we should go now, and monitor things from there,” Jeremy said.Leah nodded thoughtfully, smiling. “That's smart. They'll be wondering where on the planet we have gone to, while we watch them from there and plan our next move,” Leah said, her tone filled with optimism.“Yeah,” Jeremy agreed, his lips curling into a faint smile.Leah hesitated for a moment, her expression softening. “And the doctor can help you too. I long for the day you'll be jumping and running, Jeremy. I hope it's before the contract is over,” Leah said, looking downwards, her voice laced with concern.Jeremy smiled. “Thank you, Leah. I hope so too.”There was a moment of s
Big Margaret stood in the dimly lit room, the faint sound of crickets from outside the only thing breaking the silence. It was a secluded space, old and decrepit, much like the man lying on the floor before her. Her expression was cold, her tone filled with venom as she glared at Henry.“Everything is rightfully mine. Mine, Henry. You were the illegitimate child, but he loved you more. He treated me like a scumbag,” Big Margaret said scornfully.Henry's body was weak and he was trembling from exhaustion. He tried to sit up. His face was pale, his eyes weary. Yet, his voice held a trace of defiance as he replied, his voice shaking from weariness. “He loved us all. All three of us. You just turned into something indescribable. What happened to you, Margaret?” Big Margaret gave Henry a hot slap. The slap came so fast Henry didn’t see it coming. His head snapped to the side as the sting spread across his cheek. “How dare you? You accepted to be the CEO and took over. You sidelined me. Me
Leah's phone beeped and as she picked up the phone, she read the text message Jeremy had sent her.“Meet me at the balcony.”Curious and slightly intrigued, Leah quickly tied her hair into a loose bun, slipped on her house slippers, and headed toward the balcony. Her heart raced with anticipation. Jeremy wasn’t the type to call her out for trivial things.When she got there, she saw Jeremy standing in front of his wheelchair. Her eyes beamed with surprise and joy. Jeremy took a step, and then another, and then another. Leah covered her mouth with hands in awe. Jeremy walked to her and Leah couldn't hold herself back. She hugged him tightly, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.“You’re walking!” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.“I am,” Jeremy replied softly, his lips curling into a proud smile.“Since when?” She asked, curious.“Today,” Jeremy said simply, his tone humble yet filled with joy.““You have no idea how happy this makes me. I told you this day would come, did
“Breakfast in bed? Wow,” Leah said as she sat upright, fluffing the pillows behind her. She couldn’t help but smile at the tray Jeremy carried.“Yes,” Jeremy said, smiling as he dropped the tray on the bed. “Only I didn't make it.”Leah laughed, her voice light and cheerful. “Of course. Still, this means so much. Thank you.”Jeremy looked at her, unable to hide the admiration in his eyes. “You look beautiful this morning, Leah.”Leah blushed. She looked up slowly and gave Jeremy an appreciative smile. And then she rubbed her hands. “Let's see what we have here.” She opened the food and was surprised. “Smoked Fish Platter. It's one of my favorites.” Leah gave Jeremy the first bite. “Have some.”“Hmmm. Delicious,” he said with an exaggerated tone, making Leah giggle. “I was going to have Pancake Towers, but I've changed my mind,” Jeremy said, chuckling.“Your sense of humor is growing, huh?” Leah said, shaking her head as she laughed.“You've influenced me so much, it's only a matter of
“Hello, Mrs. Harper?” Elizabeth greeted over the phone.“Hello, Elizabeth,” Leah said steadily.“I've been trying to reach Mr Harper but he isn't answering. Please, is he close?” Elizabeth asked politely, though her tone carried a hint of urgency.“Uhm…he's not close at the moment. Is there a problem?” Leah asked.“I hate to disturb you, ma'am, but there's an emergency and we need Mr Harper in the office urgently,” Elizabeth replied, her voice trembling with growing panic.“Isn't it something you can handle, Elizabeth? Leah asked, trying to sound composed, though worry began to creep into her thoughts.“If it was, I wouldn't have called you,” Elizabethtown said frankly, yet respectfully.“I understand. Thank you, Elizabeth. I'll try to reach him,” Leah said before ending the call.She set the phone down and sighed, her heart beginning to race. Where had Jeremy gone? He hadn't mentioned any plans to her this morning. And she was supposed to visit her family today. Leah looked around an
Leah saw Jeremy standing beside Caroline. She hugged him tightly, excited to see him, hale and hearty. She had been worried sick.“You're okay!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. “I was so worried.”Jeremy’s arms encircled her, and he smiled softly. He was standing? Didn't he say he'd put on a charade for as long as possible? Maybe, he'd finally figured out how to defeat Big Margaret with the help of her twin, Caroline, and their lives would go back to being normal again.The tension in the room was palpable as the two women locked eyes, the weight of their shared history hanging heavy between them. Leah stood off to the side, her mind racing as she watched the confrontation unfold.For the first time, Big Margaret looked genuinely unnerved. Her smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. Caroline, however, remained composed, her gaze unwavering.“You thought you’d gotten rid of me,” Caroline said, her voice calm but laced with steel. “But you were wrong.”Bi
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