With a determined expression on her face, Rachel nods.“Indeed, we simply need to somehow catch her in the act, cause her to make a mistake, or at least, get her to own up to her genuine motivations. She won't be able to use him to disparage you if we can make her appear terrible in front of Kingsley and other board members.” Cordelia says and then pauses.“It seems you're working on something, Rachel, with that mischievous mind of yours. Let it slip, come on.” Cordelia teases Rachel, her ears itching to hear how exactly they can make Louisa slip up.She knows Rachel well enough to understand that she never makes vague plans and suggestions. She is always very detailed."It's okay if Louisa wants to play games. We'll offer her an unforgettable performance that she won't soon forget.” A smile stretched across Cordelia's face as her eyes lit up. "I'm paying attention, Rachel; go on." With a careful nibble, Rachel breaks a cookie in two and picks it up. "We'll start by gathering as muc
The once comfortable room feels claustrophobic now, the menacing message stifling their laughs.Fear creeps in as Cordelia's gaze meets Rachel's. "Someone knows." Rachel furrowed her brow as her eyes skimmed the message again. "The question is who?" As their pleasure and laughing fades, uneasiness takes its place. Cordelia's voice becomes hardly audible. "Do you think Louisa found out?" Rachel's face grows stern. "We can't back down now.""But what if we're walking into a trap?" Cordelia's hand clenches around her cup.They exchange anxious looks, their confidence is shaken. "We need to know who's behind this." Rachel eventually states, reaching for her cell phone in her clutch purse.“Who are you gonna call?” Cordelia asks, seeing Rachel dial a number in her phone.“Whoever sent that message is someone close to you or someone who is watching you. Either way, there's a person who can find out.”However, Cordelia's cell phone buzzes again signaling an incoming call.She peers at th
The sun rises above the city as Linda stands in the rest area of the hospital building, staring out the window. She inhales deeply, allowing the warmth to fill her lungs."I can control my actions, but I can't control my heart." she soliloquizes. Even if Fred doesn’t feel the same way, Linda is determined to keep being her amazing self. In the days that followed her confrontation with Fred, she had remained cordial with him throughout. She would bring him coffee, listen intently to his worries, and give him wise counsel. But Fred's lack of interest persists. Whenever Louisa's name comes up, Linda's heart would throb but Fred's eyes would light up. As they take a break after the afternoon rounds a few days later, Fred enthusiastically gives Louisa updates on the development of her son over a call while Linda listens to his excited voice."Louisa's been amazing, helping him through this tough time," Fred says to Linda with a smile, after ending the call with Louisa. Despite her
“It's okay, honey. I'm glad to be here with you.” Louisa says, looking affectionately at Liam. Something comes to her mind and she looks up at Fred, who is standing beside her, his hands buried in his lab coat.Fred raises his eyebrow inquisitively and Louisa stands and walks him towards the window, away from Liam.“Fred, I hope this won't affect the timeline of the transplant?” “About that, we'll observe him till evening and decide,” Fred hesitates, then adds “but it's unlikely, he's stable.” Louisa sighs and returns to her seat beside Liam, spreading her lips into a thin line. “Is there anything you would like to eat honey?” Liam replies in the negative, shaking his head. ****************************Leaning back in his high-backed leather chair, Kingsley Wills gazes out the large glass windows framing the cityscape below.With unrivaled wealth, influence, and reach, Wills Corporation, USA looms over the metropolis. However, for the first time in a while, K
Before entering CEO Alan's office, Cordelia inhales deeply. She composes her face in a professional manner, but underlying it, is a surge of excitement.She had meticulously planned a string of chaos to unleash at the investors conference with Rachel, and it is almost ready to go.She is sure Louisa would be caught like a mouse in a trap. She after all, had gone to great lengths to guarantee the result. Though she is cautious not to show it, the thought fills her with a delighted anticipation.As Cordelia walks in, Alan, who is seated behind his large, spotless desk, raises an eyebrow in silent question. A tiny smile flashes on his lips as his icy, evaluating stare softens a bit when it falls upon her.Cordelia returns it with the same understated tenderness, but otherwise maintains a quick and effective manner. Holding out a well-organized packet, including all pertinent paperwork, she informs sharply, "The confirmation for the Palmer Tech investors' conference has come through,
On a Monday morning, Louisa stands with confidence, checking herself out in front of the half length mirror in the bathroom of Liam's private hospital room. She had practiced her presentation for the investors conference for many hours and even overnight, honing every little detail. She would have loved to spend the night on her comfy bed at home but for Liam's surgery scheduled for the following day. "Mom, you look sharp." Liam smiles adoringly at his mother as she exits the bathroom and takes a seat on a single chair, crossing her legs. Louisa grins, resolve gleaming in her eyes. "Thank you, my love. I'm sharp." Her phone beeps with a text from Dave, her research assistant and she reaches for it. "Miss Emerson, the technical staff will be ready to put up the presentation equipment at eight in the morning. I'll see you at nine.” With a mental cross off her list, Louisa nods to herself. Looking up at Liam, she says, “it's Fred's day off. He promised to stay with you til
Evelyn's eyes widens in bewilderment as she rushes into the facility. She had been called for a family emergency that morning and couldn't make it early. But a quick call to Luisa had assured her that she could take a few hours off since they have everything under control. But she arrives to meet chaos. She is especially shocked to see the presentation slides and her mouth hangs open. After all of their meticulous preparation, this was the last thing she had anticipated. Uncertain of what to do next, she freezes. But Dave eventually manages to take back control of the slides as Kingsley spoke. He gives Louisa a victorious thumbs-up, and the original Mist slides takes the place of the fabricated data. Louisa grabs the opportunity and speaks more forcefully than ever. “I'm grateful, Mr. Wills. We'll return to Mist's actual vision now, everyone, if you'll let me continue." Her enthusiasm and knowledge win back the audience as she continues to discuss the revolutionary eff
“Come on, Evelyn,” Cordelia says, waving dismissively while feigning innocence. “I'm only saying we should be consistent. Respect requires some of us to put in more effort and not take shortcuts.” She gave Alan a thoughtful glance, as he observes the conversation with a slight smirk of satisfaction. Silently, Ashby watches as well, his face unreadable, but his silence is almost acquiescence. Louisa takes a deep breath, lifts her chin, and looks directly into Cordelia's eyes. "I won't respond in a way that would degrade your implication, Cordelia. “If you're worried about professionalism, you might want to concentrate on your own. It is hardly the conduct of a professional who strives for honesty to ruin a presentation.” Cordelia's face briefly lit up with rage, but she quickly recovers and smiles mockingly at Louisa. “Be careful, Louisa. You're portraying me as your adversary.” Even though everyone can still hear her, she leans closer and speaks almost in a whisper. “For
High above New York City's busy streets, the penthouse is a gem of contemporary luxury. A continuous view of the skyline is provided by the floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the walls. The city below is a hive of activity but within the suite, everything is quiet. Wearing a sharply fitted suit, Kingsley Wills sits in a sleek leather recliner by the windows. A steaming cup of coffee is in his hand, and his dark hair is neatly styled. Richness and power are evident in the atmosphere, which is heavy with the aroma of espresso and polished wood. A few steps away, Hardy stands, holding a tablet and carrying a notepad under his arm. Although he has a professional stance, his expression has a tinge of doubt. Kingsley brakes the silence by leaning back in his chair and narrowing his eyes. He says, "Hardy, I need you to arrange for a house," with a tone of determination in his voice. “Something appropriate. spacious, contemporary, and in a desirable area. My s
A while later, Liam drifts to sleep and Evelyn prepares to leave. “See you tomorrow,” she says, rising to her feet and grabbing her hand bag. Louisa rises as well. She follows Evelyn out the door. As they walk silently through the hallway to the parking lot, Evelyn suddenly nudges Louisa, “are you worried about how to face Fred?” Louisa heaves a sigh, “that too, but my major worry is how to tell Liam about his father. Kingsley wants me to do it as soon possible.” “You’re supposed to do that at will Louisa. You're a strong woman but let down your guard easily around Kingsley. He can't keep bullying you with what happened five years ago. You shouldn't let him. And most importantly, he shouldn't dictate to you when or what to tell Liam. It should be your decision.” Evelyn comments slowly, as they continue walking side by side. “He settled the bills. We will be going home next week.” Louisa says, her tone neutral. “That's only natural. Just don't get intimidated, am
“Evelyn, please rest,” Louisa replies sarcastically, swirling the pen in her hand. “No badass men are all over me.” “Then, you're probably blind. Wait, why do you think Fred has been so good to you and your son?” Evelyn asks, her eyes narrowing in genuine curiousity to her friend's view. “We're friends and also neighbours.” Louisa states, leaning towards Evelyn to emphasize her point. Evelyn let out a low sarcastic laugh, “how naive can you be girl? Even a blind person knows Fred is very much into you?” “Dream on Eve, I personally do not see him that way, besides, he has never asked me out to–” Louisa's voice trails off as a realization hits her like the butt of a gun. She was supposed to go somewhere with Fred two nights ago! Although he didn't say where, he had asked her to go somewhere with him and she agreed. How did she totally forget, only to remember after two whole days! Fuck! She blinks severally and her mouth refuses to close, which catches Evelyn's attention. Sh
John becomes more and more uneasy as he goes back and forth in his living room. His phone's call log, which shows innumerable outgoing calls and unanswered texts to Evelyn over the previous few days, reveals his growing despair. She doesn't reply to any of his messages, which is a startling concern given her custom of responding promptly. He had visited her home twice and knocked repeatedly, but each time there had been no answer. The fact that a neighbor had casually said that he had seen her leave early in the morning did little to calm him. Seeing no other recourse, he decides to go see her at her office. He needs answers, but it seemed invasive. After a few hours, John arrives at Palmer Tech building, bubbling with a hive of activity, with staff and guests mingling in its modern lobby area. John tries to hide his anxiety as he walks up to the receptionist. He declares, "I'm here to see Evelyn Mayers." The receptionist gives him a quick look. “Do you have an ap
Except for the little hum of activity coming from down the hall, Liam's waiting room is silent. With his arms crossed over his chest, he paces close to the window. Evelyn taps lightly on the armrest while sitting with her legs crossed. Fred leans against the wall, looking at the door and then at his phone. As they all wait for Louisa, tension pervades the air. A sense of relief fills the room as Louisa eventually enters, appearing worn out but neat. She brushes a hand through her hair and greets, "Morning," with a slight smile. "Mom!" Liam rushes over to her, his anxiety obvious. "What happened? Are you alright? We've been quite anxious.” "I’m fine, Liam," Louisa reassures him while putting a hand on his shoulder. She looks up at Evelyn and Fred saying, "I apologize for worrying you all. I was so worn out after leaving the hospital yesterday that I just dozed off and didn't wake up until this morning. I swear, nothing is wrong.” Evelyn looks at her for a ti
As Louisa enters her front door, the home feels colder than usual. The slight click of her heels on the wood floor is muffled by the weight of the pain in her chest. She throws her clutch on the couch and sinks down next to it, holding her face in her shaking hands. Sharp and unrelenting, Kingsley's words replays in her head. "You were nothing short of garbage!" "Queen of Deceit." Every word cut through her poise, exposing her vulnerability and rawness. Even though she had expected him to be hostile, the poison in his charges nonetheless, managed to pierce her more deeply than she had thought. She struggles to hold back her emotions, but before she could stop them, the dam bursts. She let out a sob, then another, and before she knows it, the stress of years was leaking out of her in fits of tears. Her thoughts strays to that fateful day that everything changed, the day Martha died, five years ago. She wishes Martha is here today, by her side to comfort her, tell her
Kingsley leans forward, his fingers drumming on the glass table before him, his eyes flickering with something incomprehensible. "Miss Emerson?” He repeats, more of a statement than a question, “send her in." He drops the call, a hint of relief evident on his face. It is true he has been feeling jittery since his visit to the hospital. He knows for a fact that she is hard hearted and stubborn. So, he wasn't sure she would be shaken by his threat and come find him, just because he said so. But the major cause of his anxiety is that he doesn't want to fight her. He had been hoping like hell that he wouldn't have to. Despite her faults, he knows she must have been through a lot, caring for a child who was born sick, alone. Hardy, still standing and awaiting his order raises his eyebrows, just enough to be noticeable but remains silent. He leaves swiftly at the gesture of Kingsley, giving him time to gather himself. Moments later, Louisa Emerson enters the office, her movemen
Cordelia's mouth clenches when she takes a look at the charge card Lyon slid over the table. She knows his fee is going to be high but her jaw drops at the ridiculous numbers written on it. She draws a tiny line with her lips and throws it back across the table.Her voice is low but piercing as she hisses, "This is crazy, Ryder. I refuse to pay that. And for your other request,—" she says in a tone subtly laced with contempt, "—you can forget it."Lyon laughs quietly and reclines in his chair, seemingly taking pleasure in her annoyance. "You should understand that negotiating is an art, Cordelia. Additionally, I believe we both understand that you are not here to go empty-handed.”Cordelia glares at him while folding her arms. "Avoid putting me to the test, Ryder. Over a dozen other investigators are present in this city.But none is like me,” Lyon responds with a smooth grin that never wavers. "I possess the contacts, expertise, and dirt you require.You're here because I delive
Cordelia types away on her office system, her mind focused on the memo she is preparing, which would be needed the following day for a presentation.Given the importance of that presentation, CEO Alan had explicitly stated that she should get it done herself, rather than passing it on to junior secretaries.Alan had effortlessly switched to professional mode the following week he insulted and humiliated her. It is very characteristic of him to switch like that, like the ashole that he is, until the next time his sexual urge beckons on him for a prey.Then, he'd remember he has a little sex toy nearby who can give him the ride of his life and massage his damned dick.Her phone chimes on the table, indicating an incoming text.Irritated with the interruption, she hisses, but her face brightens up when she glances at the screen and she sees that it is a message from Ryder Lyon.“Cafe Blaire, 3pm. Come with your charm.”She mentally rolls her eyes while putting the phone away.Thankfully