The plane arrived a little later than expected.
As Cassie's feet touched the ground of New York City, she smiled. She pulled out her phone to make a call. A cab driver had pulled up before her, so she signalled him to wait a while.
After a few rings, the call connected.
"Cassie?" Eleanor's voice came from the other end.
She sounded busy and tired.
"Boss, are you alright?" Cassie asked in a low tone.
Eleanor hissed at Cassie's question. She was sure that Cassie's plane had already landed, but instead of her asking for the address, she was asking about her condition.
Well, that was just Cassie.
With this in mind, Eleanor replied gratefully, "I'm fine Cass. Here's the address _____"
Cassie ended the call getting the address. She told it to the can driver and they begun their journey.
After an hour drive, the cab pulled up in front of a big metallic gate. Cassie was awestruck by her boss' house. She was elated as she quickly paid off the cab driver quickly.
She was eager to get into the house.
Cassie prayed within her that her boss won't send her to a hotel, but give her a room in the mansion.
Eleanor was satisfied upon seeing Cassie standing in the doorway. She strode towards her.
"Well Cass" Eleanor said with a smile.
Cassie smiled in return as they hugged. "Eleanor, your house is beautiful!" Cassie declared gleefully.
Eleanor chuckled as she led her into the living room.
Cassie wasn't just Eleanor's secretary, she was also a friend. For the past five years, she had been with Eleanor, standing by her through everything. And Eleanor loved her like a sister.
"Aunt Cass! You're here!" Tasha screamed happily as her little feet ran across to where Cassie was.
Cassie knelt as she welcomed Tasha into her arms "Oh! My baby! I missed you"
"Did you miss me too?"
Tasha giggled as she nodded.
"Godmother! You're here!" Nathan said cheerfully as he strode into the living room, with his hands in the pockets.
Cassie grinned as she rose up, "Yes , Mr Gentleman"
Nathan walked to her and stood beside her.
Patting his head lovingly, Cassie asked, " Tell me where's my room?"
Tasha ran to her mum, "Mama, where's Godmother's room?"
Eleanor who had been standing the side, watching there little exchange, smiled as she replied, "Right after yours baby. The room on the left"
"Yay! Aunt Cass, our room is between yours and mommy" Tasha revealed happily.
Cassie feigned a surprise gasp as she placed her hand on her chest, "Wow! that's nice. We get to play...."
"Sleepover!" The trio sang in unison.
Sleepover was something they always do.
Eleanor chuckled lightly as she took Cassis suitcase upstairs, while Cassie and the kids followed behind her.
After dismissing the trio, she went to her room. Ensuring that everything was in place, she took her bath and got dressed.
Before leaving the kids to Cassie, she kissed them and left In a hurry.
-------
Inside the meeting room of the ZerAnderson Group building, Alexander and Elaine sat with their lawyers by their side.
They were negotiating with the people who wanted to purchase the company.
At the front desk of the building lobby, Eleanor showed her identity card to the receptionist and said, "I'm Eleanor Anderson-Red. The only daughter of The Late Chairwoman. Where's my father?"
The receptionist had seen, not only identity card but also the striking resemblance Eleanor bore to the Late Boss, so she told the truth, "Mr and Mrs McKinley are in the meeting room on the top floor. Currently they're having a meeting with the potential buyers of the company."
Eleanor was furious when she heard this. Her eyes flickered with hate and resentment as she made her way to the elevator.
The ZerAnderson Group was part of the inheritance left to her by her mother, Mrs Zera. The woman wanted her to take over when she came of age. But, unfortunately, she passed away before that time came, leaving the role of acting president to her husband, Alexander.
In the news, it had been widely reported that Alexander had plans to sell the ZerAnderson Group and register a new company with the money. With Elaine as the legal representative.
This information, of course, didn't sit well with Eleanor. She had to stop them at all costs. She couldn't allow her mother's company to be sold. Even more, she would never let them get a share of the profit.
Their greed was insatiable!
Back in the meeting room, Alexander and the buyer had finally reached an agreement. All that was left was to sign a contract of transfer of ownership and sale.
The lawyers checked the legal papers and saw that everything was in order. To make it official, was all that was left now.
"Mr Callaghan, I'm happy we've finally come to a conclusion. Our business will grow stronger from here on, I assure you. Without further ado, let's make it official, shall we?" Alexander was eager. He couldn't wait for the ZerAnderson Group to be sold so he could finally receive all the money and start a new company with his wife.
Callaghan Mark couldn't disagree, as he too was eager to add ZerAnderson to his corporation. "Agreed. Mr McKinley, I really look forward to doing more business with you. Cheers to us bo--"
The last words were hardly off his tongue when the door suddenly flung open.
"I'm afraid that wouldn't be happening"
A fierce looking Eleanor walked into the meeting room, glaring at the shocked couple.
Eleanor felt lucky to have arrived just before the contract was signed. She had saved her mother's legacy in the nick of time.
Across the long table, Alexander and Elaine became furious as they abruptly stood up.
"Eleanor? what are you doing here?" Alexander asked in disbelief.
The McKinley family had never heard from Eleanor after they has sent her out of New York. Alexander thought she was dead. He definitely didn't expect her to reappear in the company, especially not sat such a crucial time.
Elaine glared at Eleanor. If looks could kill, the latter would have died. She pointed her finger at her stepdaughter as she spoke through gritted teeth, "You! What do you think you're doing? Huh"
Eleanor scoffed at her stepmother's words.
Was she daft?
"Are you so blind? or deaf? or both? Isn't it obvious? I'm here to stop you two sly foxes from selling the ZerAnderson Group" came Eleanor's firm reply.
"I'm here to take what rightfully belongs to me!"
"I'm here to take what rightfully belongs to me!"Eleanor turned to the confused group across the table with a sense of urgency. She politely greeted them, before stating her businesses there. "Hello, apologies for barging in. I'm Eleanor Anderson-Red and this company belongs to me. My mother, Mrs, Zera Anderson passed it down to me. There's a document that had been notarized by her attorney. If you need to clarify, it can be shown to you. Therefore, Mr McKinley here, and his toy, have no right whatsoever, to sell this company. I am in charge!"Callaghan and his group of lawyers were surprised by this shocking revelation. This was a twist they hadn't seen coming.They had come here to buy the company because they thought it belonged to Alexander. But they were wrong!They turned to each other and began to whisper amongst themselves.Alexander and Elaine, fearing the worst, became anxious. Billions of dollars was about to go down the drain. Just like that, it'd slip from their fingerti
The air in the meeting room was suffocating as they struggled for air.After watching Eleanor leave, Elaine had quickly opened the documents only to be left shocked.Is this real?Seeing his shocked and speechless his wife was, Alexander grabbed the sheets from her and scanned through them."What is this?" He spat out in anger as he threw the papers furiously on the table."What nonsense! These cannot be real! I had this discarded!"After taking Eleanor out of the picture, Alexander had ordered for the discarding of the original documents that were notarized. He had made a new one were he stated that for Eleanor to take over the ZerAnderson Group, she had to be married. He had made that condition because he believed she would never return ever again.Now he realizes how foolish he was, he should have removed her name completely!Thinking back to that time, he realized that he had forgotten about the copy that was left with Lawyer Jesse.Alexander gritted his teeth in frustration.He w
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
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