Author’s POVThere was no denying the sensation of relief in Lucian’s heart. He had a chance to preserve his business and ensure the future of his family with Devon’s help.Lucian murmured, his thanks obvious in his voice, “Thank you, Devon.” I’ll remember this, I swear.With each passing minute, Anne’s uneasiness increased as she watched the news at the mansion. Lucian hadn’t picked up the phone despite her persistent attempts to reach him. She was troubled by the ambiguity and worried about her husband’s safety.Amelia and David were smugly pleased as they watched the news report in the background. They believed they had Lucian trapped and that their strategy for undermining his business was succeeding. They were unaware that Devon was Lucian’s strong ally and that their dark alliance of retaliation was about to begin.Lucian and Devon planned how they were going to save Hawthorne Corporation. After what seems like hours, they got the solution.“Thank you so much, my friend. I have
Author’s POVGemma and the girls exchanged looks that made Anne confused. Their smiles even made things more suspicious and confusing.“What’s going on here? Why are you ladies smiling so suspiciously?” She asked them.Gemma pulled out her hand and Anne was a big diamond ring in her. Anne’s eyes flew wide open as squealed in happiness.“YOU’RE ENGAGED? TO WHO? She asked excitedly.“So you remember this dude, Kevin whom I went on a date with, we hit it off and we started seeing each other. He’s been a good guy and I just can’t stop loving him. He proposed yesterday night while we were at my apartment,” Gemma said.The smile on Anne’s face faded, causing the girls to wonder why. “Didn’t you just meet that guy? Don’t you think you guys are rushing things?” She asked.“Rushing things? How? We both love each other and are ready to commit to each other for a long time so what’s the rush about that?” Gemma said.“I mean, you’ve only been together for some weeks. I think you should get to kn
Author’s POVThe next day, they went to see the doctor, who carried out some tests on Anne and asked them to sit back while she gets the results.“Are you okay, my love?” Lucian asked Anne as he slipped his hand in hers.“I don’t know. You?” Anne replied.“I don’t know too but don’t you worry, no matter what happens, I choose to be strong for the both of us,” Lucian said with a smile.Anne smiled back at him as she rested her head on his shoulder. While they waited in the doctor’s office, the minutes dragged on like hours. Despite having a lot on her mind, Anne securely gripped Lucian’s hand as she sought solace in his company.The doctor eventually made a comeback holding a folder. She took a seat in front of them while grinning consolingly.“Good news,” the doctor said.“The tests indicate that you and the infants are both in excellent health. You have nothing to be worried about.”“You say that but I missed my delivery date. How can I not worry?” Anne answered.“I assure you there’
Author’s POV “Can I quickly use your restroom?” Amelia asked.Anne and Lucian exchanged a quick glance before Anne responded.“Sure. Take this way; the bathroom is by your…“Left,” Anne and Amelia said as the same time.Anne looked at her confused but Amelia let out a faint smile.“I used to visit when…” She said looking Lucian and Anne immediately understood what she meant.“Oh,” she said.“Anyways, help yourself,” she added.Amelia thanked them and made her way towards the bathroom but when she was out of sight, she diverted. Instead, she want to the Maids’ quarters. There was someone in particular she was looking for. Someone who owed her a favor, someone who she thought would use useful in her master revenge plan. She got to a door and knocked on it before walking in. There was a young woman lying on the bed and reading a book. She immediately got to her feet when she saw Amelia walk in.“I had a feeling you’d still be in this room,” Amelia said.“Miss Amelia,” the young woman sa
Author's POV"What video? Show me," Anne requested.Daisy handed the phone to Anne and she played the video. There was a young man being interviewed by the press. His face was blurred so they couldn't tell who it was."Are you trying to tell us that the baby Lucian's wife, Anne Baker is carrying is not Lucian's but yours?" The reporter asked."Yes it is," the man said."And how sure are you?" The reporter asked."I am a 100 percent sure. You see, after becoming Lucian's One-night stand, she realized that she needed a rich man in her life so Anne approached me and begged me to make her pregnant. She wanted to use the pregnancy to extort money from Lucian," the young man said."And why are you only just coming out with the truth now? I'm sure the viewers at home want to know," the reporter asked."She paid me to be quiet and not tell anyone about it but I've not had peace since then. I don't want my fellow man to suffer in the hands of that nasty woman no more. Lucian deserves to know
Author's POVStill on his knees, Lucian peered guiltily and repentantly into Anne's eyes. "I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through, Anne, he said softly, his voice filled with regret. I should have trusted you right away, but I let my rage to cloud my judgment."When Anne noticed the sincerity in Lucian's look, her eyes began to flood up with tears. "We've both had a difficult time with this whole situation, Lucian. I want us to get through this together because I love it," she said."I love you too, Anne," Lucian said as he nodded and his voice broke. "We were torn apart by my skepticism and rage, but I vow to mend the situation.""It's fine Lucian. I probably would have done the same if I were you," she said."Thanks my love," Lucian said, holding her hands in his as he kissed them."Please get up. I don't like seeing you kneel," Anne said.With his gaze fixed on Anne, Lucian stood up. They embraced one another tightly, comforting one another in their mutual love and res
Author's POVAfter leaving for work the next day, Anne called her friends over and they helped her pack. After about an hour when they were done packing, they set out to leave the house but then the house staff began to ask her questions like where she was going with her boxes. But Anne didn't answer any of them.After loading all her bags into Kiama's booth, Kiama drove Anne and the other ladies to the airport where Anne was going to board a plane out of San Francisco, California.Anne was preparing to leave the life she had created with Lucian. She struggled mightily with her choice, but the onslaught of criticism and scrutiny from the public had grown intolerable. Her feelings were a tumultuous combination of anguish, relief, and uncertainty as Kiana drove towards the airport. When Anne arrived at the airport, her friends volunteered to support her and assist her with her luggage. After exchanging tearful goodbyes, Anne moved toward the exit, leaving the life she had known behind.
Author’s POV Lucian remarked, “I want you to break the news of my divorce to your news channel.”“What? What kind of request is that?” Said his companion.“Just trust me. I have a plan, “Lucian replied.The unexpected request surprised Lucian’s acquaintance, who was perplexed as to why Lucian would wish to make his divorce public. But knowing Lucian’s cunning ways, he chose to listen to him out.“Lucian, this is very strange.”His friend questioned skeptically, “Why would you want to make your divorce public? “I need to set up a smokescreen or a distraction. I want Amelia and David to think their plan worked by revealing my contract marriage since they believe they have won. They will be caught off guard if I publicly announce my divorce. They won’t understand my actual motives.”His companion scowled, still uncertain of the strategy. “But won’t this further harm your reputation?”Nodding, Lucian.“In a word, yeah. I’m prepared to make the sacrifice, though. They’ll stop thinking
Madeline manages to break Free of Daniel's grasp and runs to stand in front of the guards that is about to shoot her friends. She yells at Daniel "if you want to kill them, you have to kill me too." Daniel scoffs walking towards her " don't be foolish, you can't possibly want to die for their sake, you've hardly know them." Madeline screams at him " what is wrong with you,I love Jake and nothing is going to ever change it even if I go with you my heart will never belong to you, you will never have my heart so why not just kill me instead." Daniel stunned at her revelation looks at her surprise that she was willing to go the extent of dying for her friends, for Jake. Daniel walks to where she's kneeling and grabs her hand " if you won't love me willingly then you'll love me by Force." he grabbed her hand and drags her to the car. He pushes her in and shut the door. He turns around once more he tells Tony to handle her friends. Daniel is about to get into the car and drive away w
The tension in the room is palpable as Tony stands in disagrees with Daniels plans. Tony shakes his head, "You're gambling with everything we built. The gang is not just a means to an end; it's family. Don't forget that."Tony's frustration deepens . "You think leaving the gang is the solution? Daniel, this gang is more than just a way out for us. It's a brotherhood, a family. Remember when you first walked through those doors? Henry doubted you, but I saw potential. I stood up for you, vouched for you, because I believed in the leader I saw in you. We swore an oath to the gang, Daniel, to prioritize the gang before anything else." Daniel clenches his jaw, the weight of Tony's words sinking in. "Tony, Madeline is the key to a life beyond all this. We won't need the gang if we have her and the wealth she brings. Can't you see the bigger picture?" Tony's eyes reflect hurt and disappointment. "You're willing to sacrifice everything we stand for just for your personal desires. This gang is
Madeline, despite the escalating horror, keeps her gaze steady, refusing to break. Daniel's eyes narrow, his frustration growing. He leans in, his voice a dangerous whisper, "I'll keep going until you decide to talk. What happened?" Madeline grits her teeth but doesn't relent. Sarah, in pain and fear, pleads with Madeline to tell Daniel whatever he wants to know. Madeline finally breaks her silence ."Fine, stop!, I'll talk." Madeline pleads with Daniel to stop the cruelty towards Sarah. "Please, Daniel, she's hurt enough. I'll tell you everything," she implores as tears start streaming down her face. Daniel, relentless, insists, "Talk, and maybe I'll consider stopping." her voice shaky but defiant. "We were trying to escape. We had a plan to contact someone who could help us get out of here." Daniel smirks, pulling the knife away from Sarah's throat. "See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" he says, almost amused. Sarah, relieved that the pressure on her neck has eased, is gasping for br
In Daniel's office, a tense atmosphere filled the room as he mulled over the mysterious turn of events. "Sarah's sudden illness is too coincidental. Madeline never mentioned anything about her having a condition," he pondered aloud, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. Determined to unravel the potential deception, he summoned both the guard and the doctor into his office. The guard entered, standing at attention. "What did you observe when Sarah fell ill?" Daniel questioned. The guard, visibly uneasy, stammered, "I, uh, didn't really pay much attention, sir. I was focused on getting help for her." Daniel's sharp gaze scrutinized the guard's response, but he dismissed him and turned to the doctor. The doctor, who seemed less perturbed by the situation, remarked, "Honestly, it seemed quite routine down there. As if they were accustomed to such occurrences." Daniel's brows furrowed in suspicion. "Accustomed? That doesn't make sense. Something's not adding up," he muttered to hi
Daniel sat back in his chair, a sigh escaping his lips, he found himself in a moment of contemplation. Tony, his trusted friend, had always been a loyal companion in the gang, never questioning Daniel's authority or plans. The sudden resistance from Tony left Daniel questioning his decisions. Staring at the dimly lit room, Daniel wondered if he had truly thought through the entirety of his plan or if his actions were driven more by emotion than rationale. He ran a hand through his hair, wrestling with the internal conflict of doubt. "Am I doing the right thing?" Daniel murmured to himself, the weight of uncertainty hanging in the air. He shook his head as if trying to dispel the doubt. The plan had already been set in motion, and there was no turning back now. He had invested too much to back down. As he contemplated the decisions ahead, Daniel recognized the necessity of finishing what he started. The consequences of what would happen if he failed, and he couldn't afford to let doubt
In the dimly lit prison, Stephanie, her curiosity piqued, asked, "So, what's Plan B, Jake?" Jake, explained, "Plan B is contacting Justin. He'll come with friends and get us out of here." Relief washed over the group. "But there's one problem." Jake adds and Madeline sighed, " what is the problem then?" Jake, revealed, "The problem is we need a way to contact Justin." Marie, voicing the collective frustration, groaned, "They took our phones when we came into the prison." So, how do we contact Justin without our phones?" Jake, thinking on his feet, replied, "We just need to get a phone without anyone realizing." Madeline, questioned, "How do you propose we do that? They're watching us closely." Jake, undeterred, stated, "We wait for a guard to come down here. Surely, one of them will have a phone on them. We can try to get the phone, send the message to Justin, and get it back to the guard " Marie, frustrated, sighed, "And how do we get a guard down here? Everything is getting more co
Madeline stares at Daniel still not able to grasp the fact that he betrayed her. She listens as he continues talking. Seated back in his chair, Daniel continued his revelation, a twisted pride in his words. "I got one of my guys to suggest selling drugs to Ashton. Predictably, he bought the idea. Little did he know, my guys were watching him. When he sold the drugs, they waited for the right moment, stole the money, leaving Ashton in a bind." Madeline, disbelief etched on her face, asked, "You set up Ashton to get him involved in drugs, knowing he'd do anything to protect Marie?" Daniel nodded, "I Ashton to owe a debt because I knew he'd want to protect Marie so he'd definitely send her out of the country and if their romance was as strong as everyone said it was she'd definitely want to help him and who better than her own twin sister to help her." Madeline, shaking her head in disbelief, muttered, "What happened to the sweet Daniel I used to know? How did you become this person?" D
The guards led to others out the door forcefully. Daniel gestures to Madeline telling her "take a seat." Madeline, standing defiantly, refused Daniel's command to take a seat. He sighed and decided to continue his story, as if seeking understanding from the person who once meant the world to him. "It was asking for help that brought me into this world," Daniel confessed, a somber tone in his voice. Madeline, though visibly hurt and confused, remained silent, urging him to continue. Daniel delved into his past, revealing a stark contrast to the life Madeline knew. "My mother and I weren't always rich. Her parents were so poor that they had to give her to her uncle, who was living alone, hoping he could provide a better life for her." Madeline, her eyes widening with a mix of surprise and sympathy, finally spoke, "I had no idea, Daniel. Why didn't you tell me all this before?" Daniel, with a bitter smile, replied, "Because I knew you wouldn't understand. Your perfect world and my strugg
The tension in the room escalated, the group grappling with betrayal and shattered trust. Madeline, her voice trembling, demanded answers from Daniel. "What is Marie talking about, Daniel? Why are you doing this?" Daniel, grinning with a sinister satisfaction, confessed, "Marie is telling the truth, Madeline. I never came back to Colombia seeking forgiveness. I came back for wealth, and you were my ticket." Madeline, bewildered, asked, "What do you mean, I'm your ticket to wealth?" Daniel, enjoying the power shift, explained, "The treatment for my mother's cancer drained our resources. I realized marrying into your family, taking over your father's business, was the only way to secure our future." Madeline, hurt and betrayed, demanded, "So, everything between us was a lie? You never loved me?" Daniel, unapologetic, admitted, "I needed you for my own gain. When I saw you with Jake, I became enraged. I was supposed to be the son-in-law, taking over the business. But you moved on, and I