As Flora drove home from the tennis club, her mind raced with elation and the heady thrill of victory. She knew the war wasn't over yet, but she had won this battle. She had secured the votes she needed, regardless of the questionable methods she had employed. The memories of Joseph Reeves' face, a mixture of shock and resignation as he realized he was cornered, lingered vividly in her mind. She felt a twinge of guilt but quickly squashed it, reminding herself of the stakes and the alternative result of she had not strong-armed Joseph into changing his stance: Henry would have a greater chance of keeping Sungate Manufacturing.
As she pulled into the driveway of her home, she noticed the familiar, comforting sight of her maid, Esther, waiting at the door. Esther stepped forward, relieving Flora of her bag with a warm smile.“Welcome home, Ms. Flora,” Esther said, her voice soothing. “Catarina is preparing a late lunch for you.”“Thank you, Esther,” Flora replied, feelingWhen Damien arrived to pick Flora up, he stood out against the backdrop of her grandiose mansion in his casual attire, a stark contrast to the formal wear she was accustomed to seeing him in. Dressed in a simple yet stylish ensemble—a navy blue Henley shirt that clung just right to his athletic frame and a pair of well-fitted jeans—Damien looked relaxed and approachable. His smile was breezy, making him even more attractive. She felt a flutter in her chest as she walked towards him, her heart skipping a beat.His dark hair, usually slicked back with precision, fell in casual waves over his forehead, giving him an effortlessly handsome, almost boyish look. As Flora threaded her fingers through his hair, mussing it slightly, Damien seemed almost bashful, a soft blush coloring his cheeks, adding to his allure. Hey," he said, opening the car door for her. "Ready to see your new home?"She nodded, so excited she could not trust herself to speak words. The drive to her new ho
Flora’s heart was lighter than the clouds in the sky as she approached Eva’s apartment. It has been so long since she'd seen the familiar metal of Eva's apartment door. It felt like a lifetime since she'd run here for refuge after Henry's unexpected betrayal.The promise of a day filled with time spent with Eva and the simple pleasure of shopping for her new home had given her a sense of normalcy she had been craving. When she punched in the passcode and entered the apartment, she was greeted by a curious and surprisingly affectionate Mr. Nubs. The little British shorthair, with his plush gray fur and piercing amber eyes, rubbed against her legs, purring softly. Eva had described him as a grumpy little boy, but today he seemed to have made an exception for Flora. “Hey there, Mr. Nubs,” Flora cooed, bending down to pick him up. The cat settled comfortably in her arms, nuzzling into her chest as she stroked his fur. Eva emerged from her bedroom, struggling to pull on a pair
Flora's mansion was in a state of organized chaos. The usually pristine rooms were now cluttered with boxes, some sealed and others still half full, waiting for Flora to make up her mind on what to do with them. She moved through each room in the house methodically, her mind a whirlwind of lists and mental checkboxes. The marble floors were crisscrossed with tape, marking out what was to stay and what was to go. Catarina and Esther, her trusted maids, moved with practiced efficiency, boxing up items Flora had earmarked for charity and various donation organizations. Their cheerful chatter filled the spaces between the rustling of packing materials and the occasional thud of a box being closed and labeled.Flora appreciated their help immensely, knowing she couldn't have managed this enormous task on her own. Despite her usual composure, the impending move had stirred a storm of emotions within her, and the physical act of packing up her life felt symbolic of the changes she
Flora’s phone buzzed with a video call notification from Eva just as she finished arranging a vase of fresh flowers on the coffee table. Smiling, she accepted the call and was greeted by her best friend’s cheerful face.“Hey, Flo! Ready to give me the grand tour?” Eva’s voice was filled with enthusiasm. Mr. Nubs was curled up in her arm, half asleep with his little mouth open.“Absolutely. I can't wait to show you around.” The blue tinged glow of the phone screen illuminated Flora's face as she adjusted the camera and began with a sweeping view of the living room. “This is where it all begins. I wanted it to be cozy, with lots of natural light and a touch of pastels.”Eva leaned closer to her screen, scrutinizing the details. “It does look welcoming, Flo. The rug we picked really ties everything together perfectly."Flora beamed. Weeks of planning and meticulous shopping were finally coming together.The living room was a harmonious blend of modern and vintage st
Flora woke up with a sharp sense of resolve. Today was the day she would confront Henry and make her final stand at Sungate Manufacturing. As the sunlight streamed through her bedroom windows, she rose from her bed, shaking off the remnants of an uneasy sleep filled with cryptic messages and unresolved tension. She knew she had to present herself with confidence and poise to see her plan through and remove Henry from his position as CEO. She took her bath quickly, setting the shower knob to cold. After, she returned to her room, shivering slightly even in the thick bathrobe.Opening her wardrobe, she deliberated over her choices, her fingers brushing over two potential outfits. One was a stylish blue pantsuit. It was a deep sapphire color, tailored to perfection with a slightly flared leg and a fitted blazer that accentuated her waist. The suit was modern, sleek, and confident, with a subtle sheen that spoke of elegance and power. Paired with a crisp white blouse and silve
When Flora entered the conference room, she quickly surveyed the scene. The room was spacious and bathed in the soft glow of recessed lighting. A large, oval table dominated the center, surrounded by high-backed leather chairs. Around the table were the major shareholders, some already seated and others still mingling and chatting in hushed tones. Maybelline Sears was the first to catch her eye. She was dressed in a sharp, tailored navy blue dress that fell just below her knees, paired with a matching blazer. Her outfit was complemented by a string of pearls around her neck and simple, elegant black heels. She exuded an air of stern professionalism and authority, her posture ramrod straight. As Flora entered, Maybelline gave her a curt nod of acknowledgment, a flicker of approval in her eyes as she took in Flora’s charcoal grey suit.Joseph Reeves was standing near the window, resolutely avoiding eye contact with Flora. He was dressed in a conservative black suit with a cri
Henry remained seated, a shadow of his former confident self. His glum expression revealed the depth of his realization that his time as the head of Sungate was truly over. His eyes darted around the room, lingering on each face as if trying to decipher who had supported his downfall and who had merely gone along with the tide.The company secretary stood up to address the room. "Now that we have settled the matter of Mr. Henry's removal, we must turn our attention to the question of who will take up the mantle of leadership for Sungate Manufacturing. It has come to my attention that one of our shareholders has submitted a notice regarding this matter. Miss Flora, would you please address the assembly?"All eyes turned to Flora. She stood, her heart pounding but her resolve unshaken. This was her moment, and she could not afford to mess it up."Thank you," Flora began, her voice steady. "I have indeed submitted a notice proposing a candidate for the position of CEO. I wo
The shock of seeing him sent a chill down her spine, and her first instinct was to tell him he was in the wrong place.“You’re in the wrong restroom, Henry,” Flora said, trying to keep her voice steady, though her heart hammered against her ribs. Fear fluttered in her stomach but she squared her shoulders, refusing to let him see how vulnerable she was.Henry didn’t reply. His eyes were wild, a mix of fury and desperation. He lunged at her with a speed that belied his disheveled appearance, his hands gripping her shoulders with a force that sent a jolt of pain down her arms. Flora gasped, the sudden assault knocking the breath out of her. He pushed her back forcefully until her spine collided with the cold, tiled wall. The impact of her back against the wall sent another jolt of pain through her. She winced, her fear spiking as his grip tightened, his face mere inches from hers.“Henry, you’re hurting me!” she cried, trying to twist away from his hold. Her voice echoed
Hello everyone, Ena here! Phew, this has been quite a journey. I can hardly believe that we've reached the end of this story together. What started as a simple idea has grown into something so much more, and that’s all thanks to you readers and your support. Thank you for sticking with me and I'm grateful to every single one of you. Though we’re closing this chapter, I hope this isn’t goodbye. I have more stories to tell, and I’d love to share them with you. I'll be back soon with an even better book. Until next time 💛 All my love, Ena Starr.
Two Weeks Later The evening had settled into a comfortable warmth as Flora parked her car in the driveway of Damien’s estate. The sky was a gentle gradient of fading sunset hues, a perfect close to what had been a long but fulfilling day with Eva. They had been going over the offers from several publishing houses and TV studios, that wanted to monetize Flora's experience with Alice and Janice. It had been exhausting, but there was a sense of peace that came with knowing everything with Alice was truly over. Justice had been served, and Flora was finally free. With a content sigh, she gathered her things, pushing open the front door. The house was unusually quiet, save for the faint rustle of the breeze outside and the distant clinking of glass from the kitchen. A cozy warmth greeted her, the familiar scent of home wrapping her in comfort as she stepped inside. "Hello?" she called out softly, slipping off her shoes and setting
Flora’s breath caught in her throat, but she held her composure, her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. She cast a glance across the courtroom and met Alice’s eyes. There was no fire in them, no anger or hatred. Only resignation. This was her fate, sealed and unchangeable. Alice would spend the rest of her life in jail. There would be no escape, no return to the life she once knew. She would die there, alone. The judge then turned her attention to Janice, who sat trembling in her seat. “As for Janice Holden,” the judge said, her tone unwavering, “for the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, and for the misuse of her professional authority as a nurse, resulting in the death of Vera Wicks, this court finds the defendant guilty.” Janice sobbed openly as the judge delivered her sentence: twenty-five years to life, with the possibility of parole only after serving the minimum term. But even with parole, Janice would never fully escape her crimes.
The next few days blurred together, filled with a whirlwind of action and emotion as Flora set the final stage for justice. Filing the formal report against Alice was both cathartic and devastating, but it was something Flora knew she had to do. This was the final step in a journey that had begun when her life was torn apart by betrayal, and now, she was finally fighting back. Alice was arrested almost immediately after Flora's report, and to everyone's surprise, she didn’t resist. For the first time in their long and painful history, she didn’t fight back. There were no screaming matches, no attempts to manipulate or twist the situation in her favor, no venomous remarks hurled in Flora’s direction. Instead, Alice turned herself over with an unsettling calm, submitting a written confession detailing her involvement in both the death of Flora’s mother and the accident that had left her father a prisoner in his own mind. Flora knew Alice’s cooperation wasn’t born
A chill ran down her spine, and she stammered out the first question that came to mind. “Olivia…are you—”Before she could finish, Olivia let out a bitter laugh, the sound filled with a weight of sorrow and exhaustion. It wasn’t a happy laugh, but one of disbelief at her own situation.“Yes, I’m pregnant,” Olivia confirmed softly, cutting off Flora’s stumbling attempt to find the right words. She rubbed her palm lightly over her stomach as if to comfort herself more than anything else. “And before you ask, it’s Cyprus’s.”Flora’s breath caught in her throat. Cyprus. Of course it was his. Her mind flew to that one disastrous night that Olivia had had with the arrogant vice president of Defendwise Ventures.“Olivia…” Flora whispered, her voice thick with disbelief. “What are you going to do?”The question hung in the air like a fragile thread, and for a moment, Olivia seemed lost, her gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the supermarket, beyond the immediate rea
Olivia’s face was puffy, her eyes rimmed red and swollen from crying. She looked utterly devastated, her usual composed demeanor shattered. Her bottom lip quivered as she attempted a smile, but it was weak, trembling at the edges. "Flora," Olivia whispered, her voice cracking. Flora stepped forward, unsure whether to close the distance between them or keep some space. She could see the exhaustion written across Olivia’s features, the turmoil swirling behind her eyes. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of what had brought them here pressing down on both of them. Olivia broke the silence first, her voice barely above a whisper. “I—I didn’t know.” She choked on the words, shaking her head as fresh tears welled in her eyes. “I didn’t know what my mother was capable of. I swear to you, Flora, I didn’t know any of it.” Flora stood still, absorbing Olivia’s words. She wanted to believe her. Desperately. But the betrayal of the past day,
The buzzing of Flora’s phone startled her out of her thoughts. It was Olivia. The message read:“Can you meet me in thirty minutes? There's a small 24-hour supermarket called "Pinegrove Market" not far from the estate. I’ll be there. Please, Flora, I really need to talk.”Flora’s pulse quickened as she read the message. Thirty minutes? She glanced at the clock. It was late, and while her body still ached with exhaustion, the urgency in Olivia’s words cut through any hesitation. Something in her gut told her this couldn’t wait. Without overthinking it, she typed a quick reply:“I’ll be there.”She stood up from the couch, assessing her loose pants and short-sleeved top. They would have to do for such an impromptu meeting. She padded quietly upstairs, not wanting to disturb the peaceful quiet of Damien’s home. He was fast asleep, one arm draped over his eyes, his breathing steady and calm. Flora felt a pang of guilt for slipping out, but she had to do this. Bending dow
Just as the words left Eva’s mouth, the kitchen door opened, and Damien stepped inside. He looked at Flora, his gaze soft and warm, and without a word, he crossed the room and kissed her gently on the temple. “Eva’s already started drafting the court papers,” he said, finishing Eva’s sentence. His voice was calm, matter-of-fact, as though they were discussing something far less monumental.Flora blinked, still processing everything. “Has Alice made a move since we left the estate?” she asked, her voice quiet but steady.Damien shook his head. “No,” he replied. “I think she knows this is the end for her.”The weight of his words settled over the room, and for a moment, there was nothing but the soft sound of the stew bubbling on the stove and Whiskerton’s contented purring. Flora exhaled slowly, a mixture of relief and exhaustion washing over her.That night, after dinner had been cleared away and Catarina and Eva had gone off to bed, Flora sat alone on the couch in t
Flora blinked, her eyes stinging with fresh tears. She knew who had orchestrated this—who had called Catarina and Eva, who had made sure that when Flora woke up, she wouldn’t be alone. It had to be Damien. He had seen how close she was to breaking, how much she needed the people around her now. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Flora looked between Catarina and Eva, her lips trembling with a bittersweet smile. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for coming.” Catarina patted her cheek affectionately. “You’re stuck with us now,” she said with a soft almost motherly smile, before turning back to the stove to finish serving the stew. “Now, sit down and eat before you collapse. I made your favorite.” Flora’s stomach growled again in response, and she let out a soft laugh. Their presence, combined with the savory aroma of the stew, filled the room with a sense of comfort that Flora hadn’t realised she'd been craving .