Mr. Newman noticed the change in her expression and beckoned her to the luxury chair in front of him. “You have paled. Are you alright? Have you eaten? Here, drink some water.” He offered her a glass of water. Zora did not refuse his kind gesture and drank the water.Taking note of the empty drinking glass, Mr. Newman guessed she was hiding something. “Do you know her? Your reaction is suspicious,” he said honestly. Zora pursed her lips, forcing herself to breathe down her anger.“Yes, but I can’t tell you the details.”Mr. Newman smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes as he spoke to her with the same honesty he began with.“I opened my doors to you and told you everything about my family. I might not be your real family, but I see you as a daughter. It’s okay if you want to keep it in.”Zora felt guilty upon listeni
Confusion brewed in Zora’s father's mind at the other end of the line. There was no mention of any new contract, leading him to suspect that Ezrah might be finding ways to secure that partnership with him. As he had promised his daughter, he would never accept help from Ezrah or the Gannons, even if the company were to crumble like sand. “Does he have an appointment?” he asked seriously. The secretary sighed and replied, “No, but he mentioned that he traveled for over five hours just for this business and that your wife would be interested. You won’t want to miss it.” This behavior was not typical of Ezrah. Mr. Adams thought it fair to see and hear what this man had to say. “Send him in,” he instructed. It wasn’t long before an unfamiliar figure entered his office as the door swung open. “Hi, my name is Sander Newman, and I believe you are Zora’s father. Where is her mother?” Mr. Newman, tall and middle-aged, stood with his glasses, looking strong and attractive, much like Zora’s f
“Am I right to say that you have become ruthless?” her father asked, feeling helpless. Zora did not care what name it was. Her innocent child could not die in vain. Someone had to pay, and that person was living her normal life while she, Zora, was still grieving the loss of her child. Was that being ruthless? She asked seriously, “Dad, what would you do if someone plans an accident that takes my life?” When her father thought about the question, knowing it was his grandchild who lost her life in the accident, he couldn’t pretend to be an angel. “I would be more ruthless.” “Then please don’t blame me,” Zora said from the end of the line. Whereas her father feared she might regret it later, looking back at how mindlessly she loved Ezrah before. “Are you sure that you don’t feel anything for Ezrah anymore?” Zora smiled bitterly from the end of the line. It was the reason she faked her death. If she hadn’t, she knew that Ezrah would have always been in her face. But taking on a new
Mr. Newman never saw that coming, and Michelle felt guilty. Maybe if she hadn’t slapped him, he wouldn’t have asked for a divorce before the agreed time.It wasn’t about the money, but Mr. Newman had put so much trust in her that she did not want to disappoint him.“Sebastian, it’s just a few months…” Michelle was saying when Mr. Newman held up his hand, signaling her to stop. He knew that her explanation would only make it worse since Sebastian’s mind was made up.He expected it, and that was the reason why he made the necessary provision for it. A pitiful smile curled up the corner of his lips as he addressed his son.“Sebastian, you will regret this. I’m doing everything for your good, so let the one year be over.”As expected, Sebastian refused. He had to find his strength and search for Piper wherever she was
“I am doing my best to meet with the CEO of MRAB Group. It's rather unfortunate how she’s always out of the office. I heard she has other businesses, and the secretary would not give me her personal number,” Ezrah replied helplessly. This was the first time he faced difficulty in meeting anyone. They were always the ones drooling over him. He couldn’t blindly support the Henshaws without knowing what MRAB Group was up to. Everything seemed deliberate, and he had to know if the CEO was interested in helping the community or intentionally going against the Henshaws. Lucas and Ethan exchanged glances. This was the first time Ezrah complained about anything. He was always all action and no talk, but now, he was all talk and no action. “Come on, kid brother. You have all the charm. Isn’t that why our father chose and trusted you for this? Women have been throwing themselves at you, but it seems this woman hates your charm. If not for her name, I would have said she was a man, but come to
“Are you sure about this? Ezrah is still running the businesses in this city. Are you capable of battling with him? I even heard that he secretly opened new companies solely under his name,” Mr. Leonard Adams revealed.Having seen his daughter so hurt before, he would not be able to endure it if she got hurt a second time. Ezrah was ruthless, and taking into consideration the fact that even when Zora was his wife, he had refused to support their company, it only shed more light on his ruthless character.Zora was calm, not needing to be told as she was not only married but also worked with Ezrah. She knew him like the back of her hand.“I don’t intend to battle with him. I’ve already begun my revenge on the Henshaws. If he dares to cross me, not even the love and respect I have for his parents would stop me from equally messing him up. All I want is for him to stay far away from me.” Zora’s expression and voice were so cold that her personal bodyguard, Rush, stared at her with a stunne
“You know about her?” Madison was bewildered that Zora knew about Piper. “Gosh. She only made an appearance at the company after your death. I mean, now that we are talking, I will rather say, disappearance. Then Ezrah broke up with her. She attempted to commit suicide, so he went to stay by her side at the hospital. A few months ago, they got engaged, and she comes to the office all the time.” Zora’s gaze darkened slowly, and she could not help feeling bitter. Ezrah went to stay with Piper at the hospital because she wanted to take her life. What about her, who carried his child? Before and after the accident, he never showed up at the hospital. He was never there for her. Ezrah was trying to fight for his fiancée’s family’s company. They would see about that. “Do you have any idea if they live together?” Zora did not know if she was ready for this but was certain that she was prepared. She would not live in this city for more than three months. “Ezrah rented a penthouse for her, t
Ezrah regained himself and freed his hand from Piper’s grip. At the same time, his eyes met the woman on the red carpet. It was strange that, though her lips blossomed with a sweet smile, her eyes were very dark. It was as if she was smiling with her lips while her eyes carried a different message. The exchange was brief as she turned her attention to the camera. There were a lot of camera flashes as she signed autographs and exchanged a few words with the woman beside her. “I hate the paparazzi. Go with Madison. I guess she’s a fan too,” Ezrah finally said, eager to have a word with that woman. He did not want to be caught on camera with Piper, thinking it wise to take a step back. Perhaps he’ll find another way to have a conversation with that woman. His mind was in a mess right now. Piper was displeased as she wanted to show off Ezrah in front of the media. Knowing that her annoyance would make him upset, she plastered a smile on her face before saying, “But I got the pass for u
Congratulations, Mr. Newman. Your wife is one month pregnant," the doctor declared, the atmosphere filled with excitement. The bond they shared brought them unparalleled happiness, each genuinely happy for their friends, including little Esther. Zora and Madison spent time with Coco, leaving Esther with the men. The triplets were adorable, the boys taking after their father and the girl after her mother. "I swear, Zora, this is my first and last time. It hurts like a bitch," Coco said, as Zora and Madison laughed. "I heard women were designed for this. You did amazing, mama. Congratulations," Zora kissed her on the forehead and said. Months later, Zora and Ezrah welcomed their twins, Eugene and Eugenia Gannon, and five months after, Madison had a baby boy, Justin. Esther was the best big sister anyone could ask for. Ethan and Ethel welcomed a daughter, and a year later, they had twins, two girls. Lucas never remarried, unable to get over his ex-wife. One day, he received a messa
The day before, Rush had called to inform Ezrah and Zora that he and Odette had a son. Due to the distance, they had not yet visited, and now, he was meeting Lake at the hospital without Coco by his side.“Ezrah, what are you doing here?” Lake asked, his joy radiating on his face, but Ezrah was surprised to see him so happy at the hospital.“My wife fainted, and what are you doing here? I don’t remember the hospital being a place for happy people.”Lake laughed and made a joyful revelation. “My wife had triplets. Two boys and one girl. I was just about to call you.”Ezrah recalled Lake wishing for triplets; it seemed he got his heart's desire and something to keep his parents busy.“Congratulations, Lake, you got what you always wanted.”“Yeah, we found happiness. Congratulations to us, but what’s wrong with Zora?” Lake asked again, his joy fading due to the news about Zora, but Ezrah’s explanation lifted his spirits.“I suspect she’s pregnant. She refused to take the pregnancy test, a
“Lucas, you are insane. I will never choose you over Ethan, and I will never have anything to do with you again,” Ethel said through gritted teeth. Lucas was furious.“Then you leave me no choice,” he yelled and pulled the towel from her.She ran to seek cover in the closet, but he caught her and pulled her to his chest.Ethel felt ashamed and furious as her naked body pressed against his.She tried to free herself, but he was stronger and also drunk.“Why do you want to hide from me? We’ve had each other many times,” he cooed in her ear, but all she felt was disgust and anger.“We were married then, but not anymore. Just let me go,” she tried to push him away to no avail as he tried to force some alcohol down her throat.“I was ready to be kept on the side, but you refused.”After successfully getting the alcohol down her throat and watching her frown as he forced her to swallow it, his lips were closing in on hers.Ethel felt a burning sensation down her throat, and as a woman who n
Chapter 318 – I loved you before, but not anymoreA week ago, Ethel arrived home with Ethan, but he was called away to take care of a few things because Ezrah was still on his honeymoon.The past month and a few weeks had been peaceful, and with Ethel moving in with Ethan, she had no need for a bodyguard. However, on this particular night, things did not seem the same after Ethan left.Unlike his brothers, Ethan never had his domestic staff live with him, but after his mansion is ready, that will change.They were not only planning their wedding but also their future together. All that they wanted for their kids, they wanted to ensure they had it in the mansion.Ethel had gone to shower after a tiring day at work only to find Lucas seated on her and Ethan’s bed.“Jesus, what are you doing here?” She halted in her steps, right in front of the shower room door.Lucas looked drunk, which made Ethel scared. Before she could reach for her phone to call Ethan, Lucas took it from her and inst
“Why? Don’t you like it?” Ezrah asked teasingly. Zora screamed, “Like it? I love it, Ezrah. I’m a lover of pools, but I’ve never seen anything like this before.”She couldn’t take her eyes off her room. Everything was natural, with multiple pools scattered around.For the first time, words failed her when she tried to describe the aesthetics of the room.It looked as if it were carved out of natural rocks.Even the footsteps around were made of natural black stones, and the water was crystal clear. She could also see the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.“To clear up your confusion, we are at Papa’s beach, and this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. I thought you would love this as a honeymoon location.”Zora, though rich, had been too focused on business and revenge before. Honestly, she had never heard of this place.“I’m fascinated to be here.”“Great. Let me explain further. This is Calilo on the Greek Island of IOS. There are only 35 suites in this hotel, and each r
The silence was thick in the air as everybody waited for Ethel’s response, which was not forthcoming.Feeling like he was just being used, Ethan had the understanding that she could not bring herself to trust him.“Dad, she doesn’t love me,” he said on behalf of Ethel. Lucas smiled, but his smile soon went stiff when Ethel responded.“I do, Ethan.”She saw Ethan freeze with a shocked look in his eyes and explained.“I mean, I never imagined having anything to do with my ex-husband’s kid brother, but I’m ready to give it a try.”“You do?” Ethan was so shocked that he lifted her in the air by the waist. “I love you so much, Ethel. I will prove it to you.”Their lips met once again, but they were rudely interrupted by Lucas. “Dad, how can you condone this? It’s shameful.”He could not believe how his submissive housewife could take an interest in his kid brother. This was unexpected.Ethel should have rejected Ethan and not this. However, his mother spoke this time.“You know what, Lucas
“Kate?” Lucas turned in the direction of Ethel’s gaze, calling out accusingly, but Kate made a 180-degree turn and was headed to the exit when the man she came with blocked her.It was obvious that she was trying to escape the accusation, but everyone was interested in hearing what she had to say.Homewreckers were not exactly welcome at occasions like this, as every woman with a man of her own began to get protective.“You seem to be running away,” the man she came with said, not pleased by the revelation.Lucas walked towards her and questioned, “Did you kick her in the stomach?”Kate was covered in so much shame that her lips trembled because of all the gazes on her and replied, “It was an accident.”“No, it wasn’t,” Ethel interrupted, not upset but wanting to prove a point.“You said I didn’t deserve to carry his child because he didn’t love me. You were right because he divorced me,” Ethel smiled, no longer feeling the pain of losing her scum husband.Only Lucas had a pained expr
From a distance, Ezrah and Zora watched everything unfold.“Lucas, I need to put him in his place. Can you give me a moment?” Ezrah was about to go to the scene of the incident when Zora held him back.“No. Didn't you say that Ethan seemed genuine with his feelings? Let’s see how he handles this situation.”Ezrah was unsure if Ethan could come out of this cleanly, reminding Zora,“You told me to protect Ethel or better still, let me get her bodyguard.”Zora shook her head. “Sometimes, the heart doesn’t know what it wants until the opportunity presents itself. Let Ethan deal with it.”Ezrah smiled and relented. “Alright. If you say so.”They heard Lucas mocking Ethan and Ethel. “Why? Can’t you kiss your woman? Sebastian has kissed Madison like three times already, even though they aren’t the bride and groom.”Indirectly, he was taking away the opportunity for Ethan to use the event as an excuse for his inability to kiss Ethel.“Lucas, how we choose to define our relationship is none of
Everyone was excited for Ezrah and Zora, and right after the cake cutting, the couple's dance was announced.Ezrah and Zora had just left the dance floor and were speaking to some guests when other couples took over.Ethan saw it as the perfect opportunity to dance with Ethel, but there were other men eyeing her as well, and they were not afraid to show it.To make matters worse, they reached her before him.“Hi, I’m Rick,” one of them said. Ethan didn't recognize him from their company, which could mean he might be one of Zora’s co-stars.Ethan didn't like this but knew he had to be a gentleman to win Ethel's favor.“Ethel,” she responded with a forced smile, trying to be polite, and somehow, she was glad to see Ethan nearby.It was Ezrah’s birthday, and his focus would only be on his wife. Her bodyguard was there to protect her from danger, not lovers, so he was with the other bodyguards.The only man she had loved all her life was Lucas, and she had never had the chance to mingle b