***In the McKinley Manor..Alexander was restless. He paced up and down the living room. Elaine and Penny who were seated in the room, couldn't help it anymore."Get a grip on yourself, Alexander. I feel dizzy watching you already." Elaine said.Alexander stopped before her. His gaze was scorching."Dizzy?" he asked in a slightly high voice. "You only feel dizzy? I'm about to lose everything I've worked for over the years and you tell me to get a grip on myself?"He was angry and couldn't help it.Earlier, he had received an email from Lawyer Jesse. It was a reminder that he needed to make a decision, fast. Or the matter would be taken to court.Alexander was not dumb to know that what lawyer Jesse said was the truth. If the matter escalates and gets to court, he would not only be forced to give up the ZerAnderson Group, but also, he'd have to give up 40-50% of his wealth to Eleanor.The wealth that the McKinley family boasted about belonged to Eleanor. And Alexander was sure that sh
His disposition seemed normal, but his grip on the ball pen had tightened slightly. But both Eleanor and Lawyer Jesse ignored it."I believe that does it," Alexander said, his eyes moving to lawyer Jesse's face.Lawyer Jesse had been in the legal system for quite a long time. Even though he was way over his fifties, his facial and body structures were still enough to interest any girl. His long, black hair was tied at the back. His brows were thick and full, making him look like Red from the angry birds movie. His lips were thin, and the side was a toothpick that played freely."Except for one more thing..." Lawyer Jesse slid the contract papers to Eleanor. "Miss Red... Pls.""Yes, Mr. Jesse."She picked up the pen and pinned her signature on every place it was needed, making the contract sealed."Done"She looked up at Alexander with a smile on her face. Alexander was aching from loss, but his feelings were least import
Cassie was curious. She could not understand why Eleanor decided to keep mute and suffer all those years."Well it's no use"Eleanor had always known, ever since she was a little girl, that retaliating or kicking up a fuss was useless. Alexander had made that clear to her in the most understandable way possible.Even so, her father had always said she was like her mother -weak and stupid.Cassie sighed. She snorted hatefully and said, "Your family sucks, boss""I know" Eleanor responded with a chuckle.Recalling something, Eleanor frowned slightly. She dropped her phone. She turned to face Cassie. "Cass, look up a good school for the kids.""Will do... with pleasure" Cassie immediately pulled out her phone. She started to search through the net.Seeing this, Eleanor's lips curled up. One thing she loved about Cassie was that she was always on the job. And she was so perfect in everything she did.Realiz
Now that she thought about it, Jonathan did notify her about a specific partnership from the Red Empire. But she had been too busy to think about it.Eleanor felt the resentment within her accumulating instantly. She understood that Alexander would not be inclined to give up, without a struggle. But what she didn't foresee was for him to use the Red Empire.It appears the next plan would be launched. Amassing the Red Empire was now the most crucial thing to her.Lifting her head to look at Cassie, she blazed a gorgeous and destructive smile. "Call Jonathan. Have him authorize the contract."Cassie was perplexed for an instant. She gazed at Eleanor. After a while, "How does that concern us, boss?"She was lost. What concerns Eleanor with the affairs of Golden inc that she had to be notified about an external partnership deal? Even though Jonathan was her boss's pal, he was the CEO of Golden inc. Did he have to ask for Eleanor's consent bef
"Miss Red?"Eleanor looked up to see Auntie Florence. Her left hand was on Eleanor's shoulder. On her face, tears flowed freely.Eleanor swallowed. Her eyes stung fiercely as hot tears were preparing to flow. "What happened to her?""A-Alexander... He, he.." Auntie Florence was stuttering. It was obvious she was scared."What did he do!?" Eleanor's angry voice thundered inside the room, making Auntie Florence flinch. Her chest heaved heavily. Even her eyes held something else in them. They were not normal life-filled eyes."He came to her af-after the contract signing. She was out for a stroll, so he left. Today, he came back and threatened her. He said he would kill you both If she does not order you to return to ZerAnderson Group to him. Madam stubbornly refused. She told him, she'd rather burn the company than give it to him. But, he didn't like those words, so he choked her till she was almost lifeless. Mrs. Cindy... she was so shocke
Despair...It was akin to an ocean. Eleanor drowned in it.She sat on the shores of the beach. Watching as people flowed, she kept hugging her knees in silence. She was there but she wasn't. If one saw her like this, they would think she was doing fine.But, far from it. She was struggling to swim against the raging currents of the ocean of sadness... to not sink.The way the tides were against her, Eleanor wished she could give up. To give up and let herself drown completely. Maybe it would lessen her heartache.Like thunder without rain, she cried without tears. All she could feel was a great and overwhelming sense of loss. It was as though her soul had been set to burn. The pain she was feeling was outrageous and the sorrow was spreading all over her body quickly, like wildfire.Asides from that numbing sense of pain, vengeance was all that she could see.Yes! Revenge for all she had been through. Her mother's early d
The discharge procedure went hastily and in less than an hour, they were on the way to the residence.By the time they reached the house, Grandma Cindy was fast asleep. Since she was in a wheelchair, Auntie Florence effortlessly wheeled her to one of the guest rooms as her room had not been organized yet.The children were very delighted, particularly Tasha when they learned their great-grandmother would be residing with them. Tasha had already begun to organize some recreational activities to exploit the aged woman.Cassie felt her head banging painfully, but rather than going upstairs to rest, she started to head for the kitchen. Since the housekeeper would not be available, it will be wise to make something for everyone to munch on."Cassie! Wait!" Auntie Florence yelled unexpectedly when she saw Cassie steering to the kitchen.Cassie jumped. She turned around abruptly. Her hands were on her chest.Everyone in the room blazed
Nathan was speechless as he stared at the pink girl's skirt. His face and ears had turned red from embarrassment. Even his eyes had turned round and wide as he stared in a daze. Was Tasha crazy? He would rather die by a swarm of poisonous bees than of embarrassment.Eleanor snorted loudly at the look on his face; it was priceless and she felt as though taking a picture of it for future sake."Did G.G ask you to play dress up?" She asked a mischievous grin on her lips. Eleanor turned to look at Cassie; she had a triumphant look on her face and so did Grandma Cindy. She instantly understood that it was entirely Cassie's and Grandma Cindy's plan to frustrate her poor soon.Nathan frowned when he saw how relaxed his mother was at the issue. How could she watch this happen to him!? His reputation was at stake for heaven's sake! He thought sadly.He had just opened his mouth to speak when…"Oh, Nathan, you will look so dashing in the dress. Just give it a try!" Grandma Cindy said teasingly
Eleanor's eyes widened at Damien's suggestion. Disbelief flickered across her face. "Remarried? No, that can't be. Mirabella never mentioned anything about remarrying, and we have no reason to think so."Damien leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in contemplation. "Well, it's unusual for someone to go by different names within the same family. Could there be something we're missing?"Eleanor shook her head. "Sienna is in her twenties, while Eliora would be the same age as myself since she is my twin."Damien agreed. "Does that mean Sienna is a relative of yours, then?" he inquired thoughtfully.Eleanor shrugged. "That's the only logical explanation for the moment," she rasped out. "Besides, judging by the story Mirabella told us, the man must have loved my mother too much to remarry," she added with a sigh."Or, she is adopted," Eddy, who had been quiet, suddenly chimed in, causing the duo to turn to him."What do you mean?" asked Eleanor, confusedly.Eddy crossed his arms ove
Eddy, still trembling, pulled out the letter and extended it toward Antonio, who took it with a cursory gaze directed at Eddy."Yes, Mr. Huxton," Eddy stammered. "I have a letter for you. It's important, and I was instructed to deliver it personally."Antonio's gaze traveled between the letter and Eddy. Something about Eddy did not sit right with him. Antonio thought that he had met Eddy before but he could not remember where."Who sent you?" He asked, slowly tearing open the letter."Z-zara Anderson-Red, sir," Eddy answered.Antonio's head whipped up to Eddy's face quickly. There was shock clearly etched on it as his eyes widened."The Andersons?" He muttered disbelievingly and Eddy nodded. Antonio quickly pointed to the couch. "Please, sit."Eddy nodded and sat, although he still did not feel comfortable.To Sienna, Antonio said, "Go, get our guest something to drink! Hurry!"Sienna stood up and left. As she made her way to the kitchen, she kept trying to remember where she had hear
Eddy's head quickly whipped to the angle the voice had come from. His jaw dropped the moment he saw the lady who had called him, walking towards him. For a moment, Eddy lost himself in the magnificence way her hips swayed as she walked towards him.Her black hair danced with the wind, making her look like a celebrity. Her eyes were clear and focused on him. Eddy was so lost in her beauty that he did not see her stop in front of him."Hey, mister! Here!" She snapped her fingers before Eddy, jolting him to reality. "Who are you?""Uhm," Eddy suddenly became confused. He scratched his head that was not itching. "I, I, uhm-i..." he suddenly coughed. "I am Martin Derek, a writer. I have a letter for Mr. Antonio.""Martin Derek..." The woman drawled, looking at Eddy's messy red hair. His eyes were a brilliant shade of jade, shinning through the spectacles on the bridge of his nose. "You don't look like a 'Martin Derek'," she stated."W-what?" Eddy chuckled nervously. He adjusted the tie on
Eddy's head quickly whipped to the angle the voice had come from. His jaw dropped the moment he saw the lady who had called him, walking towards him. For a moment, Eddy lost himself in the magnificence way her hips swayed as she walked towards him.Her black hair danced with the wind, making her look like a celebrity. Her eyes were clear and focused on him. Eddy was so lost in her beauty that he did not see her stop in front of him."Hey, mister! Here!" She snapped her fingers before Eddy, jolting him to reality. "Who are you?""Uhm," Eddy suddenly became confused. He scratched his head that was not itching. "I, I, uhm-i..." he suddenly coughed. "I am Martin Derek, a writer. I have a letter for Mr. Antonio.""Martin Derek..." The woman drawled, looking at Eddy's messy red hair. His eyes were a brilliant shade of jade, shinning through the spectacles on the bridge of his nose. "You don't look like a 'Martin Derek'," she stated."W-what?" Eddy chuckled nervously. He adjusted the tie on
"How do we get in?" Damien asked.Eleanor had suggested that they try to get into the Huxton's site, but they needed to find a way in. How to bypass the security at the gate without drawing attention to themselves."Well," Eleanor said, chewing her pen cover under the watchful gazes of Damien and Eddy. "How about we use Eddy?""As a scapegoat?" Eddy asked, with wide eyes. "No, thank you! My boss would not eve-""I agree," Damien nodded, surprising Eddy who shook his head slowly."I knew it!" Eddy cried. "You hated me for a very long time. Now, you are gonna send me to my death."Eleanor smiled."Stop being fussy, Ed." She turned to him. "Nothing's gonna happen to you. I have a plan."Eddy slumped to his knees."She has a plan," he kept muttering."What's with him?" Eleanor asked, turning to Damien who simply smiled."He's fine…" he replied. "What's the plan?".*.*.*.Eddy was sweating. Every step he took was as if he was walking on pins to his demise.How did he let Eleanor and Damien
CHAPTER 56… WE MAKE A PRETTY GOOD COUPLE.*.*.*.*.*.When Eleanor got out of bed the next morning, breakfast had already been served in a tray and placed by her bedside.She yawned, stretched and got out of bed. After her shower and dressing up, she returned to the blue themed bedroom. It was large, about the same size of her bedroom back home.As she was about to sit and dig into the breakfast in the tray, a knock interrupted her."Door's open," She called, watching to see who would come in.Damien walked in. He had already bathed and was dressed in a pair of blue sweatpants, and yet, another thousand dollars Nike shoes."Did not think you would be up already," He said, pointing at her. "And I see you are already dressed up."Eleanor nodded."Hmmm. Good morning," She greeted and turned to her tray of food. "Care to join me for breakfast?" She asked, glancing at him before adding, "it's the least I could do to thank you for bringing me to such a comfortable room."Damien nodded."Enjo
CHAPTER 55… SAD NEWSDamien's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had expected Eleanor to be anything but not a hacker. He was tempted to tell her 'no', but as he looked into her eyes, he could see clearly, the unwavering determination that mirrored his own.Toni turned to Eleanor, her eyes widening in surprise."Can you do it?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of skepticism and hope.Eleanor nodded, a small smile playing on her lips."Yes, I'm a hacker too," she revealed, her tone filled with a quiet confidence. "I can break through that firewall, gather the information we need, and I'll also make sure to log out before the system can trace me."Toni's doubt did not fade away, but she let Eleanor take the seat, then she stood behind her."Let's see what we got here..." Eleanor drawled as she began tapping quickly on the keyboard. Her eyes stuck to the screen of the computer as she worked with a very clear mind.As for Damien, he found himself curious to see if she could really do
CHAPTER 54... A HACKER.*.*.*.*.*.The next morning, Damien looked out at the vibrant city of Spain, feeling a sense of nostalgia washing over him. It had been far too long since he last visited, but the familiarity tugged at his heartstrings, welcoming him back like an old friend.Eleanor sat quietly in the cab, her gaze fixed on the passing streets. Her mind was filled with thoughts as she observed the people around her. While many smiled and exchanged greetings, she could see glimpses of hidden struggles and doubts behind those cheerful facades. It saddened her to realize that there was often more beneath the surface than met the eye."We can finally move out of the hotel," Damien noted, pulling Eleanor's attention back to him as the driver kept driving. His voice was filled with a sense of relief. Curiosity sparked in Eleanor's eyes as she could not help but wonder. "Just how wealthy are you?" she asked, a faint smile playing on her lips.Damien shrugged casually, not giving too
CHAPTER 53… LOOKALIKE .*.*.*.*.*.The next morning, Selena came out of the house pulling a suitcase behind her. Behind her, Cassie was pulling another, and then Penny, who was carrying a lunch basket.Damien was already waiting for her in front of his car. When he saw her, he put his phone away and like a gentleman, reached for the suitcase in her hand.Eleanor hesitated and said, "You do not have to come along if you do not want to, you know."Damien hissed and pulled the suitcase out of her grip gently. "Firstly, I'm going on this trip because I want to. Secondly, I'm going because I have a meeting in Spain. And thirdly," He paused and flashed her a wink. "Let's leave that one for later.""If anything happens to her, you will not make it out of Spain alive!" Cassie yelled sternly.Damien stuck his head out of the trunk and smiled before returning it.Penny brought the bags and gave them to him before going back to bid her goodbyes to Eleanor and returning into the car.The kids we