Alan's mind is racing, so he doesn't answer right away. For a while, he gazes at her, torn between curiosity and frustration. At last, he looks aside and massages his mustache. He pauses and then and then replies, "organize a pitch competition, invite multiple startups and companies to pitch their projects and have a panel of judges select the winner. Invite important personalities in business, as well as Palmer Tech, Louisa is their best hand, she'll be the one to lead her team. There, you have a crowd." Alan concludes, his gaze picking up the confidence in Cordelia's demeanor. Perhaps, this time will really be different. If it is true that Louisa is secretly grazing Wills bed in return for favours, then she deserves whatever comes to her. And if it really turns out to be true, it's won't be just Cordelia going after her, he will personally go after her as well. How dare she turn him down because she thinks he's a small fry? It better not be true. But fingers crossed,
CHAPTER 1: A Damsel In Distress Louisa Emerson makes silent elegant steps into the grandly decorated banquet hall, her heart racing rapidly, anxiously considering different approaches to execute her mission tonight. Normally, she does not attend these hypocritical formal gatherings, where people just sit idly around, sip expensive champagnes, and gossip. However, tonight is an exception. She has an agenda. Waking through the great hall, she is greeted by the stares of many admiring men, wondering about her presence. After all, she is known in the business world to avoid banquets. Louisa joins a group of men for a chit-chat. Most of the ladies do not like her anyways, they believe her to be a whoring bitch catapulting into the business world and making waves with nothing but her beautiful face and sexy figure. “Louisa! What a pleasant surprise to have you here.” Matthew, an acquaintance, greets, offering a polite hug. “Hi Matthew, good to see you. Hi everyone ……” Louisa replie
CHAPTER 2: Solicitude “Do not worry, my father will be touching ground tomorrow. I'll arrange a meeting with him as soon as he gets here”. Alan responds on the other side, speaking cautiously so as not to attract the attention of other people especially Cordelia, his secretary who is always glued to his side like a shadow.“How did you know Kingsley Wills? What is your relationship with him?” Alan probes. It is surprising that Louisa, who is just being recognized in the business world, would be familiar with the billionaire CEO of Palmer Tech. “Not your business” Louisa cuts in and immediately drops the call. She walks to her car, her mind filled with the incident earlier. She had agreed to seduce Alan publicly because she desperately needed his help to get to his father, the renowned Dr Craig. With Dr Craig performing the cardiomyopathy transplant on Liam, his chances of surviving would be raised to 35%. It is a great deal compared to if other surgeons were to perform the surgery.
CHAPTER 3: Mist (i)Louisa blinks, wondering what is going on. “Is everything alright Fred? Are you fine?”Deciding that now is not a good time to discuss his romantic feelings with her, Fred replies “yes, everything is fine, I am just worried about you. You should take good care of yourself more instead of putting other people first.”Louisa scoffs and rolls her eyes “come on, my son is not other people.”“I know, I understand but you need to learn to live more. You should enjoy life in your prime, you know?”“Okay Fred, I will. It's time to go home.” She said, opening the door and shoving him gently inside his car. ““Goodnight Louisa.”Louisa waves, walking back to the hospital building briskly.Getting back to Liam's room, she enters the bathroom and gazes at the image of herself in the mirror. “I look like hell.” She muttered, running cold water over her face and bare arms in order to refresh herself. **************************At the Mark Hotel penthouse suite, time
CHAPTER 4: Mist (ii)Louisa blinks, unable to believe her ears. “You mean the same Wills Corporation in Australia?”“Yes Louisa. Chief Wills retired last month and his son has since assumed the position as the new CEO. He is here now for a Merger & Acquisition.” Mr Ashby explains patiently, before adding, “I heard you too met last night and you seemed to know each other.” Mr Ashby concludes, a hint of mischief evidenct in his tone.Louisa shifts in her seat, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. “I don't, not really.” She lies, unwilling to take the conversation further.“Alright ladies, please get to work. Louisa, do not forget that you absolutely need to convince CEO Wills, okay? We need his cooperation and investment the most.” Mr Ashby replies, taking the hint but reiterating the need to get Kingsley Wills at all costs.“I'll try my best.” Louisa muttered, looking down at her toes, unable to meet Mr Ashby's gaze.“Get all the relevant documents from the appropriate
Chapter 5: The Power Tripping CEO (I)“The project manager is Miss Emerson sir,” Hardy reaffirms, surprised by his boss’s sudden outburst and quickly cleans the mess on the table. “She is the manager of R&D team 1.”Massaging his forehead with his finger tips, Kingsley let out a heavy sigh. Why does the beautiful, she devil keep crossing paths with him? “Wait!” he thought, “what if this is deliberate?” Knowing that woman, he wouldn't be surprised if she has deliberately planted herself in the project, knowing full well that he is the major investor. What if this is another scheme to plant herself in his life like a leech?” After all, she is the queen of deceit, judging by how she successfully deceived him five years ago.No, he can't let this happen. No, he won't. There is no way in hell he is going to watch her make a fool of him the second time. Once is enough. How dare she?“Listen to me Hardy.” Kingsley clears his throat and begins, taking a firm, serious tone. “I want you to cal
At the Mark Hotel penthouse suite, Kingsley reclines on the huge comfy sofa. He had just finished some paperwork and took a cold shower.He decides to rest for a few hours before proceeding with the monthly sales report of the company he had just acquired.Moreover, his heart had been palpitating for a while. He knew he needed a rest, having been working relentlessly since he arrived in New York. It seems strange though, he had been fine ever since he had his cardiomyopathy transplant five years ago. So, why is his heart acting up?But then again, he has not been consistent with his health check up for about a year now. Speaking of which, he has to get one, and as soon as possible too. He picks up his phone and dials Hardy, “I need you to book me an appointment with professor Wesley at Kings County Hospital Centre. I'd like to have a full body check up.”“Alright sir, I'll do that immediately.” Hardy replies from the other end of the phone.“And have you heard from Mr Ashby of Palme
“I apologize sir, but i am simply conveying my boss's position and it would be expected that a CEO of your caliber should know to be cordial and professional at all times.” Louisa states slowly and firmly, clasping her hands tightly around her handbag in front of her. Her face is devoid of any emotion and she appears unflinshed about Kingsley's outburst.This infuriates Kingsley the more. He had expected to see her recoil and probably cover her face in embarrassment. But here she is, undaunted and even lecturing him…the audacity.With his penetrating eyes fixed on her, he strolls towards her in slow steps, expecting her to cower and move back but Louisa stands her ground without moving a muscle, hoping desperately that she doesn't look as terrified as she feels.“You dare lecture me in my building? You're a fine one one to talk about manner and professionalism. I hope you're not impersonating someone by being here?”Louisa bit her lower lip nervously. That is one thing she is guilty o
Alan's mind is racing, so he doesn't answer right away. For a while, he gazes at her, torn between curiosity and frustration. At last, he looks aside and massages his mustache. He pauses and then and then replies, "organize a pitch competition, invite multiple startups and companies to pitch their projects and have a panel of judges select the winner. Invite important personalities in business, as well as Palmer Tech, Louisa is their best hand, she'll be the one to lead her team. There, you have a crowd." Alan concludes, his gaze picking up the confidence in Cordelia's demeanor. Perhaps, this time will really be different. If it is true that Louisa is secretly grazing Wills bed in return for favours, then she deserves whatever comes to her. And if it really turns out to be true, it's won't be just Cordelia going after her, he will personally go after her as well. How dare she turn him down because she thinks he's a small fry? It better not be true. But fingers crossed,
The chiefs of main departments walk into Modu Tech's glass-walled conference room, the place is alive with silent expectancy. Alan Craig, the CEO, sits at the head of the elegant oak table, his presence stifling any conversation. His fitted navy suit is spotless. But his sharp gray eyes shows the annoyance he is trying to hide. His assistant, Cordelia sits next to him, a little smirk indicating that she knows secrets no one else dares to reveal. Alan puts his hands on the table and leans forward. "Let’s get straight to it," he says in a composed but tensed voice. "Wills Corporation did not approve the last R&D project we pitched to them. We really missed the mark on this chance, which was supposed to be revolutionary.” The room's air becomes more dense. Nervously, eyes flashes about, but nobody says anything. Alan waits a moment for the hush to end before continuing. "Collaborations like these are essential to our future. Although Wills Corporation has the means to e
Like the prelude to a hurricane, the air between them is electrified. Standing rooted, Louisa and Kingsley's eyes met in silent combat. His jaw tenses and his fist clench at his sides as he considers the woman before him. She's not the Louisa he thought she was. She exudes a blazing strength that really surprises him. He secretly blames himself. ‘How could I have been so wrong about her?’ He had anticipated a spectacle of desperation and pleading that he could manipulate. Instead, she has used her sheer resolve to corner him, preventing him from maneuvering his way as usual, from using her past to bully her. Kingsley inhales deeply and briefly closes his eyes, allowing his annoyance to subside. His priorities change as he thinks about Liam, a child he had come to adore, even before finding out about his paternity. His son. Their son. Doing what is right for Liam is more important than winning or losing to Louisa. His eyes become steady, softer, as he closes and op
There is a quiet hum of activity in the Wills Corporation halls, but the sharp click of Louisa's heels breaks the silence. She storms towards Kingsley's office with an unrelenting speed and a thunderous look. Helen, the receptionist's voice rises in alarm as she scampers after her, "Miss Emerson, you need an appointment—" But Louisa doesn't even reduce her speed. She shots back, "No! I don't." From around the corner, Hardy emerges, his expression a mask of worry. "Please, Ms. Louisa, Mr. Kingsley is in the midst of—" Louisa cuts in with a scathing, cutting voice, as she walks along, "I don't care. He doesn't expect me to sit still after sending that ridiculous text." "Please, Ma'am, just—" Helen and Hardy say at once, almost in a chorus.However, it is too late. Louisa is already in front of Kingsley's office.She hurls the double doors open without knocking and rushes inside. With the floor-to-ceiling windows framing the expansive city view, Kingsley sits majestically behind
The only sounds in the hospital room are the delicate rustle of pages and the soft beep of the heart monitor. With a storybook perched on her knee and her legs crossed, Louisa sits by Liam's bedside. Her sonorous voice brings the story to life as she reads it aloud. Liam, is leaning against a pile of cushions, listening carefully, his pale face focused on the story being read. "And the gallant knight was about to—" The door creaks open, and Louisa pauses in the middle of the story. Surprised, she looks up as Fred enters the room. His attitude is a mix of hesitation and determination as he holds a sleek boutique bag in his right hand. With a hint of humor in his deep voice, he says, "I hope I'm not disturbing story time?" “Uncle Fred!” Liam calls. He is always happy to have Fred around. Louisa straightens and thumps the book shut. "Fred, I thought you left?” “Yeah, I thought so too.” Fred replies jokingly. “Anyway, come on in, we just finished an adventurous dragon
As Fred sits at his desk looking through a patient's paperwork, there is a faint knock on the door. He looks up, startled to see Louisa standing there. He blinks and calls, "Louisa? You should have called me. Is everything okay?” With her arms folded and an undecided expression on her face, Louisa replies. “Yeah, but I thought it would be more convenient to speak here.” “Come in and sit,” Fred waves her over, glancing around the room. Luckily, other doctors are not present in the room. Louisa sits opposite Fred and he reclines in his seat, motioning for her to go on. Silence falls between them for a moment, awkward and heavy. Louisa avoids his stare by shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Despite his furrowed brow, Fred waits calmly. Louisa finally starts, "I simply want to express my gratitude," She speaks steadily yet softly. "For all that you have done for Liam and me. I don't think I've expressed how wonderful you have been enough.” Fred's shoulders
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