A call came in on my phone as Richard and I, along with my bodyguards, were making our way towards Rachel's lounge. I glanced at it and saw that it was from General Victor Sanchez, a high-ranking military general who was leading the search for my kidnapped workers."General Victor," I said as I answered the call."Boss, the President has issued an official order to the troops," General Victor said."What does the order say?" I inquired."It's a recall. He wants them back at their camps within the hour," General Victor informed me."Why?" I stopped in my tracks and asked. The troops had been incredibly helpful so far, managing to rescue eight of my workers without having to pay any ransom, including the six-month-old baby."He claims there is a new threat that requires the troops to be redeployed elsewhere," General Victor explained. Samuel was quite close to both the President and Vice President. If there was a need to redeploy the troops, Samuel would have called me and informed me.
On Monday morning, I was in my room at Eleanor's Mansion, getting dressed to go to the office. I had made the decision to spend the night at my mother's residence as her comforting words provided me solace and allowed me to regain my strength. This was necessary, especially since I had to maintain my brave facade despite what happened on Saturday night. A voice note came through on my phone, and Eleanor's voice reverberated in the room. "Bran, tune in to the cable News Web. It looks like your friend talked to the press last night about his recent findings on his missing daughter, and it was just announced as the next upcoming program," Eleanor said with excitement in her voice. I wondered why Samuel didn't call me to share the progress with me last night when he knew I was searching for Emma too. I quickly picked up the phone and, through the exit that was in my closet, rushed down to the main sitting room and tuned in to the Cable News. On the channel's Breakfast Bulletin, a progr
"I know that my daughter is with you. The very least you can do right now is to send her back to me. Do not push us to the brink!" Another message came in from Kaiden Harrison."I swear to God, if you fuck my fiancee, you'll spend the rest of your miserable life regretting it!" Slowly, I lifted my head and stared at Richard, who sat in front of me. Richard stood up, snatched the phone from my hand, and began to read the messages.After reading, Richard showed me a statement released by Kaiden Harrison on his verified social media account a few hours ago. In the post, Kaiden accused me of kidnapping and pledged to exact revenge. He even urged anyone using Zenith products, including phones, laptops, and Zenith phone lines, to discard them. Kaiden promised to bring in an investor from Finland who owned one of the most popular phone lines in the country. He also vowed to take me to court and ensure that Zenith Company lost its operating license.I slowly scrolled through the comments
Emma's narrative Coming out of the room where Rachel had held me captive for months was a monumental breakthrough for me, and I vowed that no one would ever confine me like that again.I glanced at Jake, one of Brandon's bodyguards that stood a few feet away, holding a phone to his ear. After a few minutes, Jake strolled over to the car I was in and rapped his fist on the window. Slowly, the window rolled down."I ain't going back to that estate. I want my son"! I reiterated what I had told them as soon as we arrived at the estate gate, prompting the chauffeur to pull over by the roadside."Take it easy, ma'am. I just called the boss. He said I should bring you to where he is," Jake said."Where's he at?" I asked nonchalantly."He's at Eleanor's mansion," Jake responded and motioned to the chauffeur."Please, turn around. The boss said we should take her to Eleanor's mansion," the bodyguard instructed, and the car began to turn."What about my son?" I inquired."Your son is at Eleano
"Put the baby down and get the hell out of this room!" yelled Brandon, his voice filled with anger. I quickly placed the baby in the crib, but I couldn't make my way to the door as Brandon was standing in the doorway. After giving me an intense glare, Brandon stepped aside, allowing me to slowly exit the room. "Hey, listen up. Never come near this baby again, and if you even breathe a word about being kept in a secret room and pregnant with my child, I'll kick your ass! I swear to God!" Brandon bluntly warned me, his eyes narrowed menacingly. I stood rooted in place, staring at the stranger before me. "This evening, I'll be giving your dad a call and informing him that you have been found. So get ready, you're heading back to Malmo tonight," Brandon declared. "It's already past seven," I pointed out, searching for more evidence to confirm that Brandon had been replaced. The real Brandon would never allow me to undertake a journey at this hour of the day. "That's even more reason fo
I couldn't believe Rachel pulled that stunt in front of Brandon's bodyguards. I kept watching, waiting to see how Brandon would react. "Rachel, go home and wait for me. We'll talk when I get there," Brandon said, his tone surprisingly calm this time. "Brandon... please..." "Just go home," Brandon replied. "Can I take Julian?" Rachel asked. I tensed up, ready to intervene if Brandon actually agreed to her request. "No! Go home. We need to have a serious conversation tonight," Brandon said, hopping into the car. The chauffeur drove away immediately. Rachel stood frozen for a moment, staring at him. I noticed she appeared strangely calm, as if she was scared or something. She also seemed defeated. After a few minutes of standing there like a lost soul, she got into her car and drove off too. "Ma'am, you need to shower and get dressed. Your flight leaves at eight," the maid who had shown me to the room said. I headed straight to the bathroom and enjoyed a long, relaxing shower. The
"Rachel, you're gonna pay for everything you did to me! I swear to God!!! I'm gonna expose who you really are to the whole world!" I yelled out of frustration and hit her again."Brandon!" Rachel yelled back. None of the bodyguards surrounding us made a move. Suddenly, a hand grabbed my hand and gently released Rachel's hand that I had grabbed in the air, pushing me aside. When I turned around, it was Brandon."He locked me in a room for a whole nine months!" I shouted."You asked for trouble when you left Malmo and came here. I didn't invite you to my civil marriage because I didn't want any trouble!" Brandon shouted at me, and my head dropped in sadness."I didn't come for your civil marriage. I came to save you and… and..." I paused and closed my eyes. I couldn't tell him that I also came to find peace that only his presence offers me."And what? Brandon asked but I kept quiet. "Save me from who?" Brandon asked again. My head remained lowered."You idiot sneaked into my husband's
Brandon's gaze slowly narrowed dangerously as our eyes remained locked. "I know my wife is your enemy and you want nothing more than to destroy her reputation, just like you did to mine! Stop spreading lies about her. Nobody knows her better than me. Going around telling people she's part of the Phoenix Brigade is not gonna fly!" "Brandon!" Eleanor yelled at her son, and my lips tightened as I stood up while Brandon turned to leave the room. "Brandon, I'm sorry for sneakin' into your bedroom on your fake wedding night. Please find it in your heart to forgive me. By the way, have you seen Susan, one of your workers whose grandchild got kidnapped ten months ago?" I asked. "She was found dead at his estate gate ten months ago," Eleanor quickly replied. "Why are you asking about her? You wanna ruin her reputation too?" Brandon asked, not bothering to look at me. As he continued walking away, my question stopped him once again. "What about her grandchild?" I asked, my voice breaking w
Emma's NarrativeIt had been fourteen days since Brandon sent me off to join Eleanor and Julian. I hadn't laid eyes on him and he hadn't called or answered any of my calls. The fourteen days felt like years.At 6 pm, I was in my room with my friends, admiring the dress Brandon had sent me for my birthday. "You look gorgeous," Vera said. I had found Vera at Susan's house last week, and we had reunited again."Thank you, Vera," I murmured sadly."What's wrong?" Vera asked."Why do I feel like Brandon is going to miss this party?" I asked."How could he miss it when he organized everything?" Vera and Gabrielle said almost in unison. I looked outside, but there was no sign of Brandon, and the party was about to start in the next five minutes.Suddenly, my phone rang, breaking the silence in the bedroom. I quickly picked up my phone, hoping it was Brandon calling. Disappointment washed over me when I saw who was calling."Who's on the line?" Jennifer asked."My mom," I responded as I answe
It has been fourteen days since my silent war against my enemies began. I needed to hurry up because Emma's birthday was coming up on Saturday. I must say the fourteen days were the most lonely days of my life. I couldn't wait to bring my family back home again. I took off my jacket as soon as I entered my office. I had just visited the secret camp Emma had told me about after carefully strategizing how to enter it. Finally, I managed to enter in the early hours, and the visit was quite newsworthy."Dr. Harry, I apologize for keeping you waiting," I said to the doctor who had been waiting for me since 3 p.m.. "What have you found out?" I asked as I sat down in my chair."Brandon, I have reviewed Rachel Winterberg's medical records, and there is no evidence of her undergoing any nephrology procedures. She is not listed as a kidney donor.""Are you sure? I mean, I distinctly remember her being my donor when I needed that kidney transplant," I said."Sir, I understand your concerns. How
Brandon's Narrative"Your body shut down three kidneys until my sister entered the picture. She saved your life, and my family won't hesitate to end your life if you don't validate your marriage with her," Jonah's words continued to echo in my head, robbing me of my appetite. "What must I do to ensure that no one ever reminds me of this?" I kept asking myself, but nothing came to mind. Even though Rachel saved my life, it didn't suppress the intense revenge that was growing in my mind. She had bitten off more than she could chew this time. "What are you planning to do about this complicated situation?" Richard asked, clearly confused as well."Nothing," I mumbled, trying to conceal my plans. "If news of everything gets out, including the fact that you got your friend's daughter pregnant and hid her in your house for nine months, passing off her baby as Rachel, and then secretly marrying your friend's daughter and pushing Rachel who saves your life aside, I'm not sure anyone would e
As I continued to stare at the men who had just walked boldly into the office, each dressed in sleek, black suits with discreet earpieces, projecting an air of professionalism, my heart skipped a beat. But when I felt Brandon's palm on mine, I took a deep breath and relaxed.As the men sat down, one of the men who had entered last stood behind the first person who walked boldly into the office. His intense gaze was too loud to ignore. "Ms. Coleman," one of the security agents said with an unsmiling face. " We got a tip that you have something concerning national security that you'd like to share with us. Please speak up and don't hold anything back," the security agent said."I... um..."The person standing behind him took a deep breath, and I slowly lifted my eyes to look at him. He was wearing a black T-shirt with a faint white inscription on it. I squinted and could barely make out the words "Silence or Son."I quickly averted my gaze and my heart started racing."Ma'am, what i
It was a beautiful Thursday morning, and the soft summer breeze blew in through the open curtains. I was in my private dining room, enjoying breakfast, getting ready to meet my husband in his office. Two of Brandon's bodyguards stood near the entrance.Suddenly, Rachel walked in, pulled up a chair, and plopped down. She quickly pushed aside the plate of food in front of me to get my attention, looking furious. Then, she burst out laughing."Just like Brandon told me, all dudes should stay in their own lane. So, I've decided to mind my own business and wait until the 13th of next month. There's gonna be a massive event happening that day. I wanna let you know that I'm gonna boot you out of this crib, so your pops, who's been named the chairman of the event, can take you home. If you don't wanna get embarrassed, you better pack up and start skedaddling! You disgusting idiot!" Rachel said through gritted teeth. She stood up and walked away. Jared, who was walking behind her like her o
"Jewel, I once thought my integrity would keep me grounded, but my romantic obsession for you has become a gravitational pull impossible to resist. Right now, everything I've believed in has capsized. I can't wait to explore this forbidden passion," Brandon whimpered, his voice flowed gently like melted chocolate, smooth and irresistibly sweet. I gasped and took a quick breath when Brandon's tongue sensually traced my earlobes and created a subtle moist sensation. His seductive and deliberate movements hinted at the impending revelation he was about to share in my ear."Be mine forever, Jewel," he breathed out. Hearing these words from Brandon sent some shivers down my spine and my eyes closed involuntarily. I wished Brandon knew how desperately I waited to hear this from his mouth. Brandon's words hung in the air delicately like a rose petal. Silence filled the room, and all I could hear was the rhythmic beating of our hearts, calling out each other's names. The warmth in Brandon'
"Emma, you need to see Brandon before you leave," Eleanor said as soon as I entered the grand foyer, holding a small bag and a few clothes I had ordered online.I decided to travel at 7 pm to avoid drawing unnecessary attention at the airport, as my picture has been circulated due to my missing status."There is no point in seeing him," I said nonchalantly. "What about Julian?" Eleanor asked. "His father has banned me from being near him," I said sadly. "Please, take care of him and make sure to tell Brandon that he's sitting on a time bomb. He needs to be very careful," I pleaded, but Eleanor remained silent, her gaze fixed on a distant point.Suddenly, Brandon's bodyguards surrounded the grand foyer. I turned around and saw Jake, Brandon's trusted bodyguard walking majestically towards me. "Good evening, ma'am," Jake said, bowing slightly. "The boss wants to see you in his private lounge.""Tell him I have a flight to catch by 7:25," I said and turned to leave."Ma'am…," Jake sa
"I don't think we need to talk," I said as I headed straight for the table to pick up the ticket he had dropped earlier. Brandon quickly snatched it from the table and tossed it into his pocket. I sighed and turned to head for the closet, but he swiftly placed his hand on the wall, blocking my path. The powerful, masculine scent emanating from him was both soothing and protective, leaving me feeling like a weak woman who needed his protection. While his hand remained on the wall, his gaze remained fixed on me. Suddenly, his phone began to ring. He took a deep breath, lowered his head, and answered his wireless receiver. "I'll be right back," Brandon said, rushing out in a hurry. I noticed his anger was gradually dissipating and his senses were returning. At ten o'clock the following night, I was peering out the window when I spotted Brandon's black SUV pulling up in front of Eleanor's Mansion. Brandon and Rachel had returned to the Julian Henderson Estate yesterday, bringing an u
Emma's Narrative I was drying my long, blonde hair with a hand dryer after my bath. The white towel I had tied around myself barely covered my round bottom. Suddenly, a familiar scent filled the entire room - a nostalgic aroma of Swedish caviar. I turned my head and saw Brandon staring at me. Our gazes locked, and my hand hung in the air.I called it a nostalgic scent because when I was a child, I used to eat it every morning. Brandon wouldn't stop making it for me before I went to school. When Brandon graduated and got a job as a school teacher, he would always make Swedish caviar for me before work. However, when he left Malmo, I avoided anything that reminded me of him, including eating Swedish caviar.Brandon critically scanned me and settled his gaze on my hair. If things had been the way they used to be between us, he would have taken the hand dryer from me to dry my hair. The only thing Brandon didn't do for me as an adult was bathe me. Otherwise, he did virtually everything