The plane landed at the airport late in the afternoon.Taking the car that was already waiting for them, they made their way to Damien's Villa.***After Eleanor was done talking to lawyer Jesse about the ZerAnderson Group, she told Cassie and the kids to wait for her while she visited the McKinley Manor.***At the McKinley Manor...Old Madam Cindy, the leader of the McKinley family, was the oldest of the family and Eleanor's grandmother.Cindy was sick and as such, had to spend the most of her time in the bed. She had been diagnosed with a terminal illness 4 years ago and since then, she has been struggling for her life.Eleanor was not sure, but she knew that it might be only her grandmother who loved her in the entire family she's always called her own.She went into the room and saw the old woman sitting leisurely on the balcony with her personal servant by her side."El, is that you?" Cindy's voice was aged.Eleanor nodded."Come closer child, I have missed you."Eleanor walked
Eddy was watching Damien typing on his laptop. His long fingers were moving swiftly across the keyboard and there were a few lines of data on the screen that caught Eddy's eyes."Boss," Eddy said pointing to a random line. "there""What?" Damien asked irritatedly, not understanding what Eddy was pointing to.Eddy moved closer to his boss and touched a picture. It was the picture of a lady and Eddy felt the resemblance was deep to the one his boss had sketched."The woman in this picture," Eddy began, "she looks like the one from your sketches. The one you've been searching for for years."Damien's interest was instantly piqued and he immediately taped the picture. His eyes widened instantly.Eddy was right. She did look like the girl from that one night years ago. Those eyes, he could never forget them. Except for the fact that the one in the picture looked more mature, everything was the same.After the nightstand with Eleanor, Damien had been crazy about finding her. He had even beg
Eleanor chuckled, "Cassie, I'm not interested" "You might not be interested. But," Cassie took Eleanor's hands in hers and said, "They need a father Eleanor. You don't just expect them to grow up without one, right?" Eleanor was quiet and didn't respond. She only looked at the kids quietly. Nathan had finally slept off too. It was true they needed a father, but she didn't want just any man for them, she was determined to find their father. They have every right to know him, and they will know him. "Don't deprive them of the right if growing up in a happy family. Please Eleanor" Cassie added. "Cassie, they have a father" "Then where is he, Eleanor?" Cassie retorted. She was starting to lose her cool. They have a father, so she heard countless times. But where was he? She couldn't understand just why Eleanor was refusing to date, anyone. Since they met, men have been asking her out, yet she was refusing without even thinking twice. Just what was wrong with her? "All I'm saying
Eleanor woke up late the next day. It was already past eight when she left the bed.She decided to take the twins to visit their great-grandma. Since Cindy wanted to see them, she'd bring them to her."Mama, we're set!" Tasha called happily. Her little feet made their way down the stairs as she pulled her brother behind her.A smile formed on her face when she saw them, "Oh... Don't you two look so cute." she pulled their cheeks playfully and they giggled.Suddenly, Tasha's smile dissolved into a frown. Noticing this, Eleanor asked. "What's wrong baby?""Mama?""Yes, baby?""What if great grandma doesn't like me?" Tasha asked suddenly. Her voice sounded like she was about to break down into tears."Who can dislike a baby as cute as you?" Cassie asked as she descended the stairs.She had just come into the room to here Tasha's childish question."No one, I repeat, no one at all could be able to withstand your charm my darling. You're adorable and irresistible, so great grandma would ha
Eleanor had barely taken five steps when she abruptly stopped and turned around. "I believe you got my offer from Lawyer Jesse last night. Choose wisely, besides am still a McKinley." She said meaningfully and continued to walk away.Alexander gritted his teeth in anger when he heard her words.*Crash!!The table in the hall was sent crashing to the wall by Alexander.Elaine and Penny instantly drew back in fear. They didn't want to be at the receiving end of Alexander's anger.The anger in him was only growing more and more."That stupid girl!" His voice thundered in the hall."Who does she think she is? Huh!"Last night, after the call with the lawyer, he had convinced himself that it was nothing but a threat. But hearing it from Eleanor now, he didn't know why he suddenly felt scared."I'd show her what I am made of!" Alexander vowed.*****The lobby of the Elegance Hotel was lavishly decorated. The marble floor was so clean and clear that it reflected the beautiful lights.A man s
"My kids need me." Eleanor got up and walked out straightaway. She boarded a taxi and left.A confused Jerome was left frozen. He couldn't help but feel annoyed.Why would she walk out on him?Was she playing hard to get?That must be it!—Eleanor went to see lawyer Jesse. It was already late in the evening that she finally dragged her tired self back to the house.As soon as she opened the door, she overheard Cassie's conversation with the kids.Since she knew she would be late, she had told Cassie to pick the children."Aunt Cassie, does that mean we don't have a father?""No my love. Don't say such words."Do you want your mother to be worried?""No""No""Then stop saying such. Your father is alive and he will come back to make your family complete okay?""Okay Godmother"Eleanor who stood by the door frame was already close to tears. Cassie had gotten the children to believe her tonight, but what would happen if they ask after their father tomorrow?' Where are you?' She thought
A few minutes into the drive, Tasha asked, "Mama, where are we going?""To the Grande Restaurant"The car was shaken by Cassie's loud shriek. The kids looked at her with question marks on their heads. Cassie's joy died down when she noticed that she was the only one in her 'Disney world'."Do you guys have to kill my joy?" she muttered sadly. "The Grande Restaurant is the best....." Cassie explained, her hands spread wide to deliver her point. "They have the best food... Oh, I love their seafood. Also, they have Ice-cream. The best you'd...""Ice cream!..."Tasha screamed happily. "I love ice cream"After a second, both Cassie and Tasha seemed to have realized something. The smiles on their faces instantly melted into sad looks."Too bad..." Cassie said sadly."Mommy's not gonna let us have Ice-cream" Tasha chimed in. She was on the verge of a breakdown.Nathan let out a subtle scoff at the ladies. He leaned back in his seat and shut his eyes.Eleanor couldn't help but smile on seeing
***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
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