Elisha let out a long, slow breath.There was a very intense panic that she was feeling right now, but she was trying very hard to hold it in.From the several things Alex had told her and from the times Elisha had met Elliot, she had learned what kind of person Elliott Winter was."That.... doesn't seem like something easy to do," she said cautiously."So, have you instantly given up by saying you can't?""It's not like that. I said earlier that it's not easy, but that doesn't mean it's impossible."Elliott's eyebrows steepened, while his eyes were so sharp looking at Elisha."What do you mean? Do you want to play words with me?""I apologize if my answer wasn't clear enough."Elisha smiled. Now she was trying desperately to suppress her anxiety."Sir, how could I think recklessly to give something to a family with everything like the Winters?"She said calmly, while her hands and feet were already feeling cold."The Winter family has abundant wealth, a dispersed and stable business,
"Did you know I would give you a different name?""My name? What's wrong with my name? What name exactly do you want to give me?""I wanted to give you the name 'Alexander.' You know, 'Alexander the Great'? So, I hope that you can become a great man like him. But, well, what else can I do? Your mother has already chosen another name that she prefers for you. So, I had to give in."There was a sound of laughter that sounded so crisp, and it made Elliott smile too."Dad wasn't forced to give in, but Dad loved Mom so much that you were willing to give in.""Shut up. If your mother were still alive, she would have ridiculed me.""In that case, don't worry, Dad."Elliott frowned. "What do you mean?""I won't let you down. Then regarding the name 'Alexander,' later, I will use it to name my son. What do you think?"***A single tear fell from the corner of Elliott's eye as he recalled his memories with Adrianus, his son. "Why?" He asked. "Didn't you promise not to disappoint me? Then, why
Aramis' laughter could still be heard even after the dinner was over.He sat in his car; happily, his face looked so bright, and a big smile never left his lips.Even earlier, he had been extraordinarily generous by giving a great tip to the valley officials. It was something that Aramis rarely did."Oh, my, oh, my. Oh, my Dear Bella. Tonight was an enjoyable night. You heard it yourself, don't you, about what did father give to Alex's wife?"He asked Bellona, who was sitting next to him."Even though it's said to be a wedding gift, but that kind of wedding gift, who wants it? Ha!"Aramis laughed so hard that his fat belly twitched like a bouncing ball."Father gave away worthless land, meaning Father didn't think highly of Alexander. If it were me, I wouldn't want to receive such a gift. Isn't that right, Gary?"Garren sat in the front seat next to the driver. He just turned and smiled at his father's words.Meanwhile, Bellona glanced at her husband in annoyance.In the past, when sh
It was almost midnight when Gaspar received a report from the gatekeeper that Alex's car had just entered the mansion area. "Finally." He muttered, immediately rushing into the mansion's foyer, shouting orders. "All of you get ready. I know it's late at night, but we must welcome Young Master and Mistress Winter." "You over there, wash your face first. Your face looks sleepy." "You, who are standing behind, trim your hair again. Don't let Young Mistress see your disheveled appearance." "You—" Gaspar was silent for a moment when he found a ten-year-old boy. Gaspar knew who that kid was. It was Dean. "What are you doing here? It's way past the kids' bedtime. Shu! Shu! Shu! Go to sleep!" "No! I don't want to! Sir Gaspar, I also want to greet Young Mistress! Please," replied the boy, exclaiming no less loudly than Gaspar's voice. "After all, look at this!" He showed Gaspar a relatively large sheet of paper decorated with his drawings. "Young Mistress once complimented my drawin
Aramis walked with a slight stagger.The five glasses of brandy he drank to celebrate his happy feelings made his head dizzy. He went to his bedroom, plopped down on the bed, and burped. Bellona, who was still sitting in front of the dressing table for her facial treatment, glanced and snorted in annoyance. She felt disgusted seeing Aramis, who was now lying on the bed.This wasn't the first time she regretted having a husband like Aramis.'If only he weren't the first son in the Winter family.'It was uncertain how many times Bellona thought that way.They have been married for twenty-five years. But during that time, Bellona still didn't feel she loved Aramis.'My goal is to become the High Mistress of the Winter family.'She thought, applying the serum and gently massaging her face, trying not to mind Aramis' snoring that sounded like a pig'And the only way to achieve that is to marry Aramis. Even though I wouldn't say I like it, I must endure it. At least, so Garren can inheri
"How much do we need to win Airland?" Aramis asked.He was in his office with some of his subordinates, who looked busy."Dozier's offering eight hundred million dollars to get Airland, sir. Their bid was higher than our original bid of seven hundred million dollars."Aramis massaged his temples. He felt so dizzy.The initial funding provided by Elliot was three hundred million dollars, and he had already used another three hundred million dollars from the Bellona family to raise the bid.Aramis even added another hundred million dollars in loan funds so he could beat MAC's offering of five hundred million dollars and Dozier's offering of six hundred million dollars.But now, Dozier had offered eight hundred million dollars, far more than Wincorp's last bid."Ha, damn it! Where did Dozier get that much money?" Aramis grumbled."To beat MAC and Dozier in one shot, we'd have to bid at least eight hundred and fifty million dollars, sir."It was Bennett Mills who said. Somehow, he looks l
"It's so amusing! Finally, I can show everyone who the winner is."Bellona was in her room when Aramis entered noisily.She glanced at the wall clock.At this time, Aramis should have been in the office, but he decided to go home earlier. As to what could be the reason, Bellona didn't need to ask.She already knew the answer."Oh, my Dear Bella-Bella. I'm so happy. Now you admit that your husband is a great man, right?"Bellona usually didn't like it when Aramis called her 'Bella-Bella.' But this time, she just let it go."Oh, Aramis. My dear husband. I've heard about the news, and I'm so happy for you."Bellona grabbed Aramis and complimented him. She also smiled widely."Yeah, you do, huh? Now you know who your husband is, right?"Bellona just smiled when Aramis patted her cheek.She didn't even resist when Aramis kissed her greedily. He rubbed her breasts roughly and made her blouse, driven by a famous designer, get messy.Bellona also did not refuse when Aramis buried his face in
Diora snorted in annoyance.She plopped down on the sofa, throwing her phone away."You bastard," she grumbled. "I can imagine how arrogant she'd be. Oh, my God. It sucks.""What's wrong, Mom? Why are you nagging?"Pamela, who was just about to leave for college, looked at her mother in surprise.It was still early in the morning, but Diora's face was already so wrinkled."Is there a problem?" she asked again."Problem?"Diora asked back in a loud voice. "Of course, there's no problem! Only your father who has no ambition that makes our life still like this, no change at all!"Pamela's forehead creased.She felt that so far, their lives had not been a problem.They have an extensive and luxurious house, complete with helpers, so they don't have to bother doing anything.They also own three luxury cars. One for Aeron. One for Diora. And one more to be used alternately to shuttle Pamela and her brother, David.Aeron has also promised to buy Pamela her car soon.Regarding finances, the
'Alex gave me twenty million dollars to stop trying to contact you. He also put pressure on Dudley Baker with the help of a woman named Nora Hawk, if I remember correctly.' Elisha rubbed her sweaty forehead. She had never expected to hear such a thing. Alex had lied to her. He lied to her from the start. "If so, is it possible that everything he's said all this time is also a lie?" she whispered. "He said he loves me and that he needs me... Those are all lies?" Elisha's head throbbed painfully. Being in a relationship with someone who couldn't tell the difference between lying and not wasn't something Elisha could hope for. "Madame, are you all right?" "What?" "Since you were in prison earlier, you've been more silent." Elisha smiled faintly. "It's okay, sir Evan. I'm fine. But can you take me to my dad's? I want to see him." "Of course, madam. But don't forget that later you have lunch plans with Sir Alex in his office." "Ah, about that, I'll meet Alex with my family's dri
After the storm, there will be a rainbow, which suits the current situation.Elisha woke to the morning sunshine. She stretched a little, enjoying the sensual feel of the sheet against her naked body. And she saw him.Alex was sitting in a chair near the window, wearing only his shorts, reading something on his cell phone. She came to him.Elisha climbed into his lap and curled herself against him as he wrapped her in his embrace."Good morning," she whispered.Alex put down his phone and looked at his wife intently.He felt the soft heat of her breast against his chest, the gentle touch of her hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes when her lips were soft against his as she kissed him."It's killing me," he said gruffly. "I feel like my sanity depends on you, Wife.""What?""My desire for you is a burden on my soul. I'm desperate for you. I want to have you completely. Your mind, your heart, and also your body. I want to have all of that, Wife.""Alex, I—""Would you believe me if I s
It's been a month since Aeron's funeral.Today, Elliott decided to visit the graves of his wife and two sons.First of all, he visited Natasha's grave. There, Elliott spent half an hour recounting what had happened.He tells about Aramis, who is now in jail. Elliott also expressed his great disappointment towards Aramis, whom, although he was not his biological son, he had raised well."I feel guilty towards Aeron because all this time I hardly ever paid attention to him, Natasha," he said in a very low voice. "All this time, I thought of him as a useless child without me first trying to teach him well."Of course, Elliott's regrets didn't stop there. There was another, even greater regret he felt."Adrianus." He whispered. "Even though our son was innocent, I kicked him out cruelly. I never even wanted to meet him and his family, not until he and his wife died in an accident. Then, Natasha, do you know what more terrible things I have done?"Elliott looked at his wife's tombstone. Th
"Sir, this— Is what you said just now true?"Harris Hilton's voice sounded so surprised. Not long after, he hurriedly apologized for speaking in such an exclamatory tone."That's right, Harris. Please keep this secret to yourself. My children can't find out just yet. I'm telling you this so that I don't explode.""But why? How could you keep something this big a secret even for so many years?""I had to, Harris! Do you think I would do it if I still had a choice? The Winter family's reputation is at stake, and there is no way out.""But, this— Excuse me, sir. I didn't think that—""My younger sister, Maura, attends a boarding school in Switzerland. But one day, she suddenly came home pregnant. We are, of course, shocked by a situation like that. Moreover, Maura didn't want to tell who the man who had made her pregnant was. She carried the secret even to the end. She died in childbirth."There was silence for a few moments until Harry finally found his voice again. "So how— Ah, apologi
Aeron's funeral took place on a beautiful day.The sky looks so blue, decorated with white clouds. The sun was shining brightly, and the air was refreshing. Truly a perfect day to spend on vacation.Alex frowned.This pleasant weather seemed to mock those who were grieving.Many people attended Aeron's funeral, including Diora, his ex-wife. Alex could see Diora standing a bit away and alone. She looked like she didn't want people to recognize her.Neither Pamela nor David accompanied Diora because Alex knew that his two cousins were with Elisha, his wife.Alex snorted in amusement while one corner of his lips pulled upwards.Now, he felt ridiculous about himself. It didn't feel long ago that he had been irritated that David was clinging to Elisha like a kitten following its mother everywhere.But now, Alex was grateful.He was grateful for having Elisha because it was thanks to his wife that his two cousins could be stronger through this terrible storm."Wife, I miss you.""I'm he
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.Alex was sitting looking at Elisha, who was making up. All the movements that his wife did seemed to be inseparable from his pair of deep blue eyes.He watches her when Elisha looks up when wearing eyeliner or when her lips are slightly parted when Elisha applies lipstick, and he doesn't feel bored at all.This was crazy.Ever since Alex realized his feelings for Elisha, he didn't want to leave his wife. Even to go to work, he felt so lazy, whereas before, Alex was a workaholic. He didn't seem like he was, but surprisingly Alex didn't mind.This was weird."Is there something weird?""Pardon?""Alex, since earlier, you have been looking at me incessantly. So, what's wrong? Is there anything strange about my appearance?"He smiled. "I think you have caught me, Wife," he said.Alex approached Elisha, hugged her from behind, then rested his chin on Elisha's shoulder. He looked at himself and Elisha in the mirror and was amazed by how perfect th
"Of course, we'll come, Aeron. Don't worry. Anyway, please prepare lots of delicious food for us."Aeron heard a soft groan which was followed by a chuckle. He smiled, too, because he could imagine that on the other side of the call, Adrianus was being beaten by Willona."All right," he said with laughter. "See you tonight.""See you tonight. Oh, and Aeron.""Yes?""I'm glad you invited us. Thank you."Aeron was silent for a few moments. He, too, felt so moved.It had been quite some time since Adrianus had been chased out of the house by Elliot, and finally, tonight, they would gather again for dinner together."I feel happy too, Brother," he said then. "See you tonight."Their phone call finally ended. Aeron then informed Aramis that Adrianus and his family were coming. After that, he waited happily but impatiently for dinner.But in fact, everything ended not according to Aeron's expectations.That night Adrianus had an accident that killed him and his wife, Willona. And the dinne
Aeron was very shocked when he found out how Pamela was.His daughter needed treatment to remove all the effects of the drug in her body. On top of that, Pamela was clearly under a lot of mental stress.Aeron sat hunched over and covered his face with both hands.He was relieved already that David had regained consciousness after undergoing various treatments for the concussion he had. But now, he again felt worried about Pamela's condition."Oh, Lord. Why is everything getting messed up like this?"Aeron groaned and wailed. He felt that the happiness that he had, now shattered in the blink of an eye.Hadn't his life been nearly perfect all this time?Even though he is not the main heir in his family, Aeron has more than enough wealth. He has a magnificent house and all kinds of other luxuries.Aeron also has a beautiful wife and two children, a daughter, and a son.Her life is perfect. He has everything. But now, everything seemed to be turned upside down."Why am I going through all
In the quiet bedroom, only the sound of two people breathing could be heard.Elisha was breathing, calming down to an even pace, and Alex lowered his head, turned her body sideways, then wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his arms.He embraced her for a while, then covered her lips, eyes, and forehead with kisses."Alex, I think we should get up now.""Mmhh."Elisha laughed. Alex's kisses amused her."Stop it. Ha-ha. Alex, please. That’s ticklish.""Then, how about I make it not ticklish?""No! Alex, it's already morning.""We can still make it. Wife, there is plenty of time."Alex whispered, then bit her neck and left another hickey there.His hand stealthily slipped from her back to her waist, but Elisha twisted her body and naturally pushed his hand away.When the smooth sensation of her skin disappeared from his palm, he reached out stubbornly and grabbed her buttocks.This time, Elisha pushed away from his chest."Wife?""We can’t, Alex. Don't you have to go to w