“Serena?” She turned slowly, her heart pounding. Standing there was Arlo Madeira, tall and striking with his blond hair, piercing green eyes, and a well-groomed goatee. He was the last person she expected to see at this gala. He was a wealthy CEO of a tech company that specialised in innovative software solutions—something that put him firmly in the same elite circle as Frederick. She definitely would have ignored him, she didn't care who else had heard him call her name. But then Frederick had also turned to see who it was so she couldn't help it. “Arlo! What a surprise!” Serena said, forcing a smile, her voice slightly strained. She avoided eye contact, hoping he would read the room and keep their past under wraps. Frederick, sensing the tension, raised an eyebrow. “You two know each other?” “Just… friends,” Serena interjected quickly, giving Arlo a pointed look, hoping he would play along. “Oh, just friends?” Arlo replied, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “That’s not
Serena let out a quiet sigh of relief as she watched Arlo walk away from her. The weight on her shoulders lifted even more knowing he hadn’t brought up Troy; she shuddered at the thought of the chaos Troy would have stirred up if he had.“You don’t seem to have fully shaken off the shock,” Frederick observed, glancing at her as he noticed her distant expression.“Oh… I suppose that’s true,” she replied, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. Frederick then reached for a nearby table, grabbed a cup, and poured some wine before extending it toward her. With a grateful nod, she accepted the drink from him.“Arlo has only recently catapulted to fame, you know. He developed a software program that really took off, capturing the attention of the entire world. I imagine you crossed paths with him back when he was still in the early stages of building his company,” he continued, his voice reflecting a bit of curiosity.“Yes,” she replied, her tone clearly indicating her reluctance to delve d
On a bright and sunny morning, Collins received a call from Anika, who shared some unsettling news: June had disappeared. She had been living in a secluded, secret location, where Frederick had ensured her and her children were safe until now. In a sudden turn of events, June packed a few belongings and left without a trace. That was how she crossed paths with her ex-boyfriend, Larry, a hardened criminal. The anonymous tip came with a detailed criminal record of May, and what astonished Collins even more was its undeniable authenticity. He found himself questioning the identity of the person who had provided this information.May's past was marred by a history of bullying—physically assaulting others and causing injuries—along with instances of stalking and theft. Notably, there was a serious case of arson and attempted murder that occurred when she was just 15, which had led to her serving time in prison once before.After her release from prison, May kept a low profile for several
Serena had just emerged from the bathroom, her hair still damp and her mind lingering on the soothing warmth of the shower, when she heard a gentle knock on the door. It was Anika, standing there with a beautifully arranged meal on a tray, a warm smile lighting up her face. Serena quickly tightened the belt of her blue robe, ensuring she looked presentable, before opening the door to welcome her inside.“Thank you so much,” Serena said gratefully as she accepted the tray from Anika’s hands. The moment the delicious aroma wafted toward her, she couldn't help but close her eyes and take a deep breath, savouring the enticing scent that filled the air. It was once again the culinary magic of Frederick at work, and she felt a wave of appreciation wash over her.Ever since that first time he had cooked for her, Frederick had made it a point to prepare her meals every other day. His dishes never failed to impress as usual .On days when he found himself busy with other commitments, he woul
They arrived at the bridal salon a few minutes later, the anticipation palpable in the air. While in the car together, Anika had informed Serena that this particular salon was one of the largest and most renowned establishments in the city, known for its exquisite selection and luxurious atmosphere. Frederick followed behind in another car.As they pulled up, Serena couldn’t help but admire the grandeur of the place. The exterior boasted elegant architecture, with large, ornate windows that glimmered in the sunlight, inviting guests to step inside. The entrance was adorned with delicate floral arrangements, adding a touch of romance to the already enchanting setting. Inside, the salon was a haven of opulence, designed specifically for the discerning clientele. Soft, ambient lighting illuminated the plush seating areas, where brides and their entourages could relax while sipping on complimentary champagne.The walls were lined with stunning gowns, each more breathtaking than the last,
As Frederick and Serena wrapped up their photo session, a palpable tension hung in the air. Frederick, looking at Anika with a serious expression, said, “You can head back now, Anika. Serena and I have somewhere to go.” Serena’s heart raced at the prospect of being alone with Frederick. She hesitated, “Do I have to go with you? I mean, after everything… the photos and all…” Frederick turned to her, his gaze steady. “Serena. It’ll be fine. We’re going to see a friend.” His tone was reassuring, but the intensity in his eyes made her uneasy. “Fine,” she relented, though her mind was swirling with doubt. As they drove to the restaurant, Serena stole glances at Frederick. The rush of emotions from the photo session still lingered, and she wasn’t sure how to navigate the silence between them. Once they arrived at the restaurant, Frederick led her to a table that had been reserved. Serena’s heart sank as she recognized the familiar figures seated there. Arlo Madeira, lounged back in his
“The case has been dismissed,” echoed in Collins's ear. He let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the news crashing down on him as he sank into the chair, phone still pressed against his ear. With a weary hand, he reached up to scratch his bald head, a futile attempt to ease the growing tension that coiled within him.Those devious foxes! First, there was his colleague, the one who had slyly maneuvered behind his back to submit evidence, causing the case to be classified as a suicide. And then there was that cunning old man from earlier, the one who had promised Collins that he would hold off on any decisions until he could uncover the truth of the situation. Yet, here he was, betrayed on both fronts.Now, his colleague had seemingly vanished into thin air. When Collins inquired about him, people merely shrugged and informed him that he had left the country. It baffled Collins; as far as he knew, his colleague could only scrape together enough to feed himself and put a shelter above h
Serena found herself comfortably nestled by the window sill, her gaze captivated by the majestic trees that gracefully surrounded the mansion outside. The vibrant greens and the gentle sway of the branches seemed to dance in harmony with her thoughts. Meanwhile, Anika was busily murmuring to herself as she meticulously folded clothes, tucking them into a large suitcase. Although Serena could sense that Anika was likely addressing her, the words floated past her ears, barely registering in her mind.Tomorrow marked a significant moment for both her and Frederick, as they were set to embark on a journey to South Korea. Anika had relayed the news that the influential man who had been pressuring Frederick into an unwanted marriage with his daughter had requested a meeting with them. They both understood that even the faintest hint of their true relationship could unravel all the work they had put into maintaining the illusion of a genuine marriage.As Anika concluded her packing, Seren
It was a beautiful wedding day, set in a charming open area surrounded by tall, swaying palm trees that gently rustled in the warm breeze. The sun shone brightly, casting a soft glow over the small gathering of finely decorated chairs and tables. The decorations were simple yet elegant, perfectly complementing the serene atmosphere. White linen draped gracefully over golden chairs, each adorned with delicate sprigs of greenery and small white flowers, adding a touch of nature to the setting. A golden arch stood at the front, decorated with flowing white fabric and clusters of vibrant blooms in soft pastel colours. The small tables were dressed in light-coloured tablecloths, each holding a single vase filled with fresh flowers, bringing a pop of colour to the scene. Flickering candles were placed on the tables, ready to light up as the sun began to set, casting a warm and inviting glow. Steadily, the guests began to find their seats, creating a cozy atmosphere filled wit
SIX MONTHS LATER “There has once again been a notable increase in the stock sales of the F&S corporation, which is currently in partnership with the well-known Te-Sumi company. The stocks are rising at a remarkably fast pace, and it is advisable for anyone interested to—”The driver lowered the volume of the radio as the passenger he was carrying wanted to make a phone call.Seated behind him was Mr. Te-Sumi, accompanied by another man who was the one making the call. After finishing his conversation, the man turned to his boss, Mr. Te-Sumi.“I believe we don’t need to attend the meeting anymore, sir,” the man said confidently. Mr. Te-Sumi raised an eyebrow, indicating that he was curious and wanted to hear more about this statement.“Mr. Sullivan has finally woken up. With that, there’s no longer a need for us to meet with the board to discuss the idea of bringing in a new chairman,” the man explained, a hint of relief in his voice.Mr. Te-Sumi nodded in understanding. “I see your p
Serena slowly opened her eyes to find herself staring at a bright white ceiling. A delicate chandelier hung gracefully from above, casting soft light around the room. She felt the tightness of an oxygen mask over her face, and a wave of dizziness and nausea washed over her. Confusion filled her mind as she wondered, where was she?It was obvious she was in a hospital ward, the sound of a beeping monitor beside her providing a rhythmic backdrop to her thoughts. She attempted to sit up, but her body felt heavy and unresponsive. What had happened to her?As she lay there, still and quiet, her memories began to flood back. She recalled the terrifying moment when Elene had her in a chokehold, while Frederick desperately tried to save her. She remembered they were talking a lot, but Serena could barely hear them as she struggled to break free from Elene’s tight grip. That was when Elene shot her and she collapsed.She attempted to lift her body once again, but it felt impossible. “Troy?
A scoff slipped out from Elene’s lips. “After all these years, Frederick, it really took you this long to remember?”“You’ve changed so much,” he replied, trying to process his memories.“I had to change. It was necessary for me to stay close to you without raising any suspicions. Now, where were we? Ah, yes. I was about to ask you to leave peacefully, or else it won’t just be Serena who gets hurt.”Frederick let out a sigh. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. I can’t leave her.”Elene’s expression hardened, her brows knitting together in fury. “Oh, so you’re declaring war between us right now, are you?”“There won’t be any war, Elene. You need to let Serena go, and we can sort out whatever issues we have between us, like—”But before he could finish, a loud gunshot rang out, followed by a piercing scream from Serena. Elene had shot her in the other leg.“Serena!” Frederick shouted, sprinting towards her despite Elene now aiming the gun at him. Just as she was about to pull the trigger, Fred
After the reunion, Frederick turned to one of the men who had come with him and instructed him to take Dhoti and Troy outside for their safety until he could return with Serena.However, Dhoti was not on board with this plan. “I want to go with you. Serena is still somewhere in here and I can't just leave her behind,” she said, her voice filled with desperation and concern.“Sir,” one of the armed men called out to Frederick, “the rest of our team has arrived.”Frederick nodded in acknowledgment. “Make sure to inform them to carefully observe the entire building. Search every nook and cranny and ensure that everyone is accounted for,” he instructed the man, who then stepped away to communicate via a burner phone.Frederick then turned his attention to Dhoti, speaking earnestly, “I care for Serena just as much as you do– and I love her deeply. You have to trust me, Dhoti. I will bring her back safely.”Dhoti hesitated for a moment, weighing her options, but eventually nodded, albeit re
The room was cast in a soft, dim light, but the entrance remained shrouded in shadows. As the figure who had spoken stepped further inside, the first thing that caught Serena's eye was a striking head of red bobbed hair.That alone made Serena freeze on the spot, confusion setting over her as a sense of realisation and surprise washed her.As the light illuminated the person’s face, Serena confirmed it– Elene.Her eyes widened in disbelief, and her heart began to race uncontrollably. “It’s you?” she whispered, still grappling with the shock of seeing her.Troy pulled his mother closer to him, clearly frightened by the familiar face that had just emerged. Serena noticed his reaction and shot a fierce glare at Elene.“What have you done to my son?” she demanded, her voice laced with anger and fear.Elene simply smiled, a chilling expression that sent shivers down Serena's spine. “Oh him? Well, let me see how I can explain this. We had a little game, and he pissed me off, so I decided t
Serena slowly opened her eyes to the soft sound of a child sniffling, the unmistakable sound of someone who had been crying. The pain from the gunshot wound in her leg was still very much present, and she winced as she tried to push herself into a sitting position. This place was unlike the dark and terrifying environment where she had been held captive before. Instead, it was a small room that felt almost normal, featuring a bed, a lamp casting a warm glow, and a table with a chair tucked into one corner. As she looked around, she realised she found herself lying on the floor next to the bed. What struck her as odd was that she wasn’t tied up in any way, though the pain in her leg already made it impossible for her to escape. Perhaps that was the reason she had been shot in the first place.Once again, she heard the low sniffles and turned her gaze toward the bed. There, she saw a little boy with brown hair, curled up and crouched on the mattress. He was crying quietly, his small
Serena's GPS was being tracked, and Frederick wasted no time in following the signal to locate her. The FBI had already been alerted and were getting ready to offer any sort of assistance to Frederick.Frederick pressed down on the accelerator, weaving in and out of traffic as he sped down the highway, the screen in his car displaying Serena's location. His mind was racing, but he pushed aside any thoughts about who might be behind this or why it was happening. All that mattered was finding Serena before it was too late.Eventually, he arrived at a rundown old road that forced him to slow down due to the many potholes and bumps. The area around him was desolate, a perfect setting for something sinister like a kidnapping to take place. Deep down, he felt a mix of hope and fear, praying that Serena had remembered to take her phone with her and hadn’t left it behind somewhere. That phone was the key to tracking her down in this desperate situation.Suddenly, a figure stumbled into the
Serena pulled up to a deserted road and turned off the engine. Stepping out of the car, she looked straight ahead. This was the end of the road for her. In front of her was a bushy path, and she had no idea where it would lead.This was the path she was meant to take. The strange voice from the call she had received earlier instructed her to walk down this trail until she reached a building. Only then would she be able to save her son, Troy.Whoever had called her was the same person who had kidnapped Troy and Dhoti. They had already released Dhoti, which made it clear that the kidnapper was only interested in Troy. But why? This had to be connected to her in some way, but she couldn't understand the reason behind it.Serena couldn’t help but dig through her memories, trying to recall if there was anyone she had seriously upset in the past. However, no one came to mind.This could only mean that this person was likely connected to Frederick. Perhaps they were Frederick's enemy, and si