“Leah, dear, please come out,” Mama called softly, knocking gently on Leah's door.There was no response, only the faint sound of muffled sobs. It pained Mama so much. Leah who had left home that morning to go back to the mansion returned moments later with all her luggage, looking pale and exhausted and broken, even though she'd said nothing. And now, her silent sobs could be heard from inside.Mama hated to see Leah like that. It broke her heart.“Leah?” Mama tried again, her voice tender, almost pleading. But despite her attempts to reach out, the sobs inside only grew louder. Mama sighed deeply, wiping at her eyes as they began to glisten with unshed tears. Perhaps it was best to give Leah some space.“I’ll check back later,” she whispered to herself, reluctantly wheeling her chair away.Noah soon came around. “Mama Bear,” he called out softly after he knocked and pushed the door open.His calm presence usually brought a sense of ease to the house, but today, the tension hanging i
“If I ever see you here or anywhere around me, I'll hurt you,” Jeremy threatened as he threw Sarah's bag and pushed her outside.“B…baby,” Sarah managed to call out as she fell on the floor.“I should have known you were up to no good, you wench,” Jeremy cursed. “What did you do? Tell me. You must've added something in the water,” he said as he tapped his forehead hard aggressively.“I love you, Jeremy. We're meant to be together. Didn't last night mean anything to you?” Sarah asked dramatically.Jeremy looked at her with so much hatred and anger. “Thank God I don't remember anything. You're such a whore, jumping from bed to bed. Get out of here!” Jeremy ordered and slammed the door.“It's done,” Sarah muttered to herself. She stood up and arranged herself, smiling victoriously. Jeremy had no clue what was coming next. Sarah felt like she had won a lottery. Her goal was close to being achieved. In fact, it had been achieved.Inside, Jeremy was sulking. He felt so stupid. How couldn't
Conrad had returned from a short business trip. A trip he had to go alone because Sarah claimed she couldn't go with him.Sarah was at home, lying weak in bed. Conrad didn't suspect anything.“Hey, babe,” he said softly as he leaned to kiss her.“Welcome,” Sarah responded, her tone casual, almost dismissive.Conrad removed his shirt, tossing it onto a chair before heading to the bathroom. He needed to relieve himself after the long drive back home. As he stepped into the bathroom, his gaze fell on a small object on the counter. A used test strip.Curious, he picked it up, noticing the two faint lines staring back at him. His heart skipped a beat as realization dawned. Was Sarah pregnant? The thought filled him with excitement. He had always wanted to be a father, and this felt like the perfect next chapter for them.He came out of the bathroom, holding the used test strip he'd found in his hand.“Babe, are we pregnant?” He asked, his voice soft, yet brimming with excitement.Sarah sat
Noah and Leah were out, relaxing at a small quiet cafe tucked away from the city's bustling streets. It had been so long since they hung out together. They laughed freely, trading jokes and teasing each other, as though they were kids again. The world around them seemed to fade; it was as if they existed in a bubble that no one else could penetrate. For those brief moments, nothing else mattered.They were conscious enough not to bring it up.Leah looked radiant that evening, her beauty effortlessly captivating. Her long hair, left loose, fluttered gently in the breeze. Noah found himself staring at her affectionately, unable to help the way his chest tightened every time she smiled. She had always been beautiful, but tonight, she looked especially stunning. As the wind picked up slightly, he noticed a stray strand of hair fell across her face and moved closer to help her pull it away, but Leah thought he was leaning in to kiss her.“What are you doing?” She asked, turning away.Noah
Noah gripped the steering wheel as he drove the car down the lonely road. His eyes darted occasionally to the rearview mirror, where Big Margaret sat in the backseat. She looked uneasy and tense. She had barely spoken a word since the journey began, and her silence felt heavy, almost oppressive.Whatever was bothering her had to be connected to the safe’s passcode, Noah thought. His instincts told him that much. Her body language screamed secrecy, and her mysterious choice of attire only heightened his suspicions. The oversized sunglasses, the wide-brimmed hat, and the scarf wrapped tightly around her neck made her look like someone deliberately trying to conceal their identity.The road they were driving through was the same as the last time. And even today, she was dressed mysteriously, as though she was disguising herself. She was clearly hiding something.Noah attempted to start a conversation. “You look unsettled, ma'am. Is there anything else you'd like me to do for you?” he ask
Jeremy paced about in his room. How could he tell Leah what he had learned?“I'll have to go to her house, again,” he stretched.He hadn't been fine for sometime even though he pretended to be and Maggie was worried for him.The house felt strange without Leah’s presence. It lacked the warmth, the freshness, the intangible sweetness that seemed to linger whenever she was around. Ever since she left, everything had changed. His mornings felt dull, his nights stretched endlessly, and even the simplest things felt empty. Leah had become an irreplaceable part of his life, and now that she was gone, he felt like he was merely existing.When Jeremy came out to the living room, he was dressed up to go out, but casually. Maggie feared he might be going to have drinks.“Are you going somewhere?” She asked, watching him closely.“Yeah. I'm going to see Leah. I have some important information to tell her,” Jeremy replied.Maggie was relieved. “Oh…okay. My sweet Leah,” she said softly, smiling at
Noah sat on the ground, breathing heavily, his hands digging into his hair as he tried to make sense of what he had just seen. Leah was supposed to be angry with Jeremy. She even promised to open up her heart and he'd become hopeful that he had an opportunity to be with her.He clenched his fists, his nails pressing into his palms. He should have known. He should have expected this. But knowing it in theory and seeing it unfold before his eyes were two very different things. He had come to check on Leah, to see how she was holding up, and update her on his movements with Big Margaret, but instead, he had walked right into a scene that shattered him. Leah clearly hadn't gotten over Jeremy. He had come begging and she was already kissing him? Unbelievable!It was always Jeremy.Noah inhaled sharply and got up. He dusted his clothes off, his legs shaky but determined to walk away. He had no right to feel this way. Leah wasn’t his. She had never been his. But why did it hurt so much?He
The sky was painted in hues of deep orange and purple as Big Margaret stood on the balcony, gazing out at the horizon. The evening breeze caressed her face, but her thoughts were far from serene.Behind her, Conrad shifted uncomfortably. He had been quieter than usual, lost in thoughts that weighed him down.“You've been distant,” Big Margaret observed.Conrad sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “I've been dealing with personal issues,” he replied, looking devastated.Big Margaret turned slightly, her gaze assessing him. “Sarah?”Conrad nodded. “She's pregnant. She does not want to have the baby.”Big Margaret arched her brow. “Then let her get rid of it,” she firmly, waving her hand in the air.“Listen,” she continued, when she saw how Conrad looked at her, like he couldn't believe that she had said that. “We have goals, targets, and so many unfinished businesses. Do you want any distractions now?”“My baby wouldn't be a distraction,” Conrad said firmly.Margaret smirked, b
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