Lucas POV I sat in my office, sipping the hot coffee from a tea cup as I went through the day's schedule. I have multiple meetings and files to review. Today is going to be stressful but I am prepared for it.I picked up my file on my table and headed to the conference room to start my first meeting, and then, Rachel one of my staff walked into my office with a worried and concern look on her face without even knocking."Mr Lucas, I need to show you something." She said as she placed the folder in her hands on my desk. She picked up some documents and invoice and I quickly grabbed them from her as I felt a sense of trepidation all over me. "What could be so important", I thought.I began to read through the documents and invoice and my heart sank The documents and invoice has Audrey's signature on them and it is showing that she has been embezzling the company's finds.I felt like I have been punched in the gut as I swallowed hard. What? How could Audrey do this to me?I quickly dis
Lucas POV"Whosoever is behind this won't go unpunished." I said.I immediately called for an emergency meeting with my financial staff again as they were taking too long to come up with any result since our last meeting. This time round, I called them to my office and within five minutes they all arrived."I need to tell you all something.", I said with a firm voice.The team looked at me with curiosity as they sensed that I was really angry from the way I sounded."I don't know why I have not gotten any information from you all yet but before you proceed with the investigation I want to make one thing clear.", I said as I paused to look at their faces."This issue must stay within this company and no outsider, I repeat. No outside must hear of this."The team nodded as they all looked at me."Now I want to hear from you all. So far, what report have you been able to garther concerning this issue."One of the team members, Alex spoke up."For me, I think Audrey is a very good staff
Audrey's POV I shut my eyes, sensing the stress of the day enveloping me. I was shocked by what was occurring. Allegations of misappropriation, gossip circulating rapidly throughout the workplace...it was overwhelming. I quickly gathered my belongings and made my way home. I couldn't stand to remain in the office for another moment. I got home and I found Clara waiting for me. The tension was evident on my face to her. "Audrey, what is it again?, I thought I told you not to worry" she inquired, worry visible on her expression. I shook my head as I sensing tears gather in the corners of my eyes. "I do not know what is happening," I stated, my voice trembling. "These accusations... I'm unsure who's behind them, but it's devastating me." Clara embraced me tightly, keeping me near. "You will be fine Audrey, I promise you that," she said. "We will look for a way to solve this together." I withdrew, gazing at her. "I sense that everyone is against me," I stated. "Even Lucas...I'm
Chapter 46Audrey's POV I hurriedly gathered my belongings from the office and smiled to myself. The burden of the day's happenings was gradually being relieved from my shoulders. I ordered a taxi and made my way home, experiencing a wave of relief come over me. I entered my house through the front door and placed my bag on the ground and then released a long sigh. I felt drained, but I understood I needed to discuss with Claire what occurred with Lucas. I felt as though I waited forever for Claire to show up. At last, I heard the doorbell sound, and I hurried to open the door for her. "Hi, girl!" Claire shouted, as she entered the room. "I've been extremely worried about you." "What happened with Lucas?" I couldn’t resist grinning playfully. "Oh, it was such a great time," I remarked, attempting to hold back my laughter. Claire squinted her eyes. "What transpired?" "Did he let you go?" I nodded gravely, attempting to maintain a serious expression. Claire's face showed compassi
Audrey's POV Ientered the conference room to meet my colleagues for our weekly board gathering. Lucas positioned himself at the front of the table, his gaze sweeping across the room as he started to speak. "Good morning to all," he stated, his tone strong and authoritative. "I would like to discuss several matters that have come to my notice." While he talked, our eyes locked, and I sensed a flutter in my heart. I had been concerned about what he could say, but as he kept speaking, I understood that he was tackling the problem that had been bothering me. "I am sure you all have heard about false...accusations that was made at one of the staffs here," he said as he fixed his eyes on me. "I want to tell you all that this is a very serious case, and a serious investigation will be carried out on it." A sense of relief flooded over me as he talked. I had been concerned that I might get dismissed, or worse, yet Lucas's words defended me. "Nonetheless, I wish to emphasize that we will
Audrey's POV My phone buzzed and I quickly jacked back to reality. I was seated at my desk, attempting to concentrate on my tasks, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Lucas and our incomplete discussion. I looked at the screen, my heart dropping when I noticed the hospital's number illuminating the display. I replied, my voice shaking. "Hi?" "Audrey, this is Dr. Smith from the hospital," the voice on the line stated, his tone pressing. "We need you to come to the hospital now." Aiden's health has worsen. My heart began to beat very fast and I quickly picked up my purse and rushed out. I didn't even border to take permission from anyone I just left. The hospital appeared as a haze while I hurried down the hallways, my heart racing in my chest.I got to the ward and my heart skipped as I saw the nurses and doctors going in and out of the ward with a worried look on their face.. A feeling of unease began to crawl up my back as I understood that something was genuinely amiss. I in
Chapter 49Audrey's POV I sat in the waiting area in the hospital as I focused my gaze on the ground as I trying to recall what happened in the last few hours. I was still in shock by what the doctor said. Aiden's health has worsen and they they don't even know what to do. Just when I began to sense I might crumble under the burden of my feelings, my phone vibrated. It was Claire. "Hey, bestie, how are you?" she asked with her tone upbeat. I inhaled slowly, attempting to regain my composure. "Claire, I'm in the hospital right now." "Aiden's state has deteriorated." Claire kept mute for some minutes before she finally said something. "What are you trying to say?" Claire asked, her tone tinged with worry. I sensed tears welling up at the edges of my eyes. "The disease has progressed, and the cancer has affected his brain." Claire inhaled sharply. "Oh dear, Audrey." "I apologize sincerely." I sensed a sob building in my throat. "I’m don't know what to do, Claire." "I thought he
Lucas POVI entered the office, searching for Audrey. I had to talk to her about the Johnson account, but I couldn't locate her at all. I walked up to the receptionist, a pleasant lady named Karen. "Hi, Karen, do you know where Audrey is?" Karen glanced away from her computer, a look of worry on her face. "I don't know Mr Lucas, Audrey hurried out of here roughly an hour ago." "She appeared quite concerned." My eyebrows raised in astonishment. "What? Did tell you where she was heading to?" Karen moved her head side to side. "No, she simply picked up her purse and went." "She didn't mention to me where she was heading to." I experienced a twinge of worry. This is not the characteristic of Audrey. She consistently maintained professionalism and adhered to the guidelines. "Has she ever done this before?" I inquired of Karen. Karen tilted her head in agreement. "Indeed, yes." "This is the second time she has hurried out of here unexpectedly." I expressed my gratitude to Karen and
EMILIA"Now, we are done with college, what's next for us?" My roommate, Paige asked as she tossed her gown aside.Today was my graduation and I spent it with Paige and her family since mine was too busy to show up. Atleast I got a call from my younger sister, Tess. Paige and I both graduated with first class honors in Web Development. Her parents were so happy for us and we had a really nice time together. It was getting dark and they had to go back home. We said our goodbyes before going back to our room."Get a job in one of these tech companies, obviously." I responded. "Fair enough." Paige shrugged. "I'm looking at Jello. I started processing my application yesterday.""Woah, Paige. That means you'd be relocating to France.""Yeah, looks like it.""I'm considering sending mine to Fortech. I don't want to be far from home.""Fortech?" Paige asked, raising her eyebrows."Yeah, any problem?""Fortech that has a lot of rumours.""That's not true." I rolled my eyes."I heard that on
BELLA’S POVSilence stretched between us, thick and unyielding. Carlos sat across from me, his fingers tapping lightly against the table, his dark eyes unreadable. He was waiting for me to say something, to explain why I suddenly looked like I had just pieced together a missing part of a puzzle.I took a slow breath, choosing my words carefully. “There’s someone… someone who could help us.”Carlos arched a brow, still unreadable. “Who?”I swallowed, my heart hammering as I said the name out loud. “Edward.”For the first time since I had met Carlos, his expression wavered. It wasn’t shock, but something sharper, something calculating. “Edward Leon, Ethan’s brother?”I nodded. “I’ve only ever had a proper conversation with him once, but that was enough to see it, he hates Ethan. I don’t just mean sibling rivalry or petty resentment. No, Edward loathes him. And I know he’d do anything to take him down.”Carlos leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his broad chest, watching me close
Sweet Loving“Great! Just great! More work has been added to the pile of files I have to review and analyze.” Stephanie complained as she viewed mail from her department manager asking her to create a visual representation of the data she had to analyze using power BI.It was very late in the evening and most of the staff had gone home but Stephanie stayed late in the office most evenings as work was all she had to do.She didn’t have any friends or family members she could go home to or visit. She grew up in the orphanage and learned very early never to get too close or form any bond with any of the other kids because they could be separated in the blink of an eye.Stephanie sighed, remembering how she had to work hard, work extra time to get an education and work her way up to the position she was in now as a data analyst. The overtime spent in the office paid off.She was nowhere near where she wanted to be in her career but she believed that with time, her ambitious self would ach
LUCAS' POVI hated the fact that Isabella was trying to force me to take pills that did nothing but mess with my head. It gave me a severe headache that sometimes I ended up forgetting everything that happened the previous day.“I won't take it and you won't force me to, Bella. It hurts my head, why don't you understand that? Do you like it when I'm in pain?” I asked in confusion and she immediately shook her head in response as she dropped the pills back into the drawer.“I thought it actually helped with headaches and stress since it works for me too. I was just worried about you, that's all.” She said with a nervous smile and my brows furrowed in confusion. Why was she trying to make sure I took the pills?She's been acting suspicious ever since she had me fire Kendall and I needed to get to the bottom of everything.“You sure that's all? You can tell me anything.” I said softly, trying to get her to say something but she remained and shook her head in denial.“My stomach suddenly
AUDREY'S POVI had my heart in my throat as I rushed over to the ward. Scott was right behind me and I could tell that he was nervous as well. The nurse ushered us in and my heart soared when I saw Claire lying on the bed as she stared at the ceiling.“Claire?” I called out but she didn't reply. Almost like she didn't hear me.“Claire,” I called out again but there was still no response. I walked up to her and gently tapped her shoulder, causing her to turn to look at me as I smiled at her.“How do you feel, Claire? Does it hurt anywhere?” I asked as I sat beside her and placed my hand on her forehead only for her to slap it off in an instant.“Who are you?” She asked in confusion and my heart sank into the lowest depths. The doctor was right… she had lost her memory.“My name is Audrey and I'm your best friend. You got into an accident that's why you don't remember anything now.” I explained as I took her hands in mine and she looked at me with a skeptical expression.“Why should I b
ISABELLA'S POVThe plan with Scott was going according to how we expected it to and it filled my heart with joy that we were getting rid of the pests in my way. I refused to tell him about Jason though… I liked it when he was caught off guard by the things I did.Audrey wasn't at the office yet and I knew that Jason was doing his job well. While she's distracted, I'll keep drifting them apart until she falls in love with Scott, then let Scott reveal his true colors to her.It'll be so much fun to see her cry after she loses everything and everyone she loves.I glanced down at the office from the top floor and my eyes caught sight of Kendall working behind her desk as usual. She looked like she wasn't going to try to implicate me but I knew better than to believe that. I had to get rid of her before she decided to get rid of me.I immediately took all the combined evidence to Lucas' office with a feigned expression of shock and betrayal. Lucas looked grieved as he asked me to send for
LUCAS' POVIt was already noon, and Audrey still hadn't come to the office. She didn't take a sick leave or a permit from me and it made me annoyed to the core. I thought we had finally bonded after last night's event but it seemed like I was the only one who thought that.Something in me felt uneasy, though, because I knew that she had never been absent from work before. Not even when she was sick. Could it be that her sickness got worse? Why didn't she inform me then?Or could she be in danger?“Lucas!” Isabella suddenly shouted my name as she rushed into the office and I glanced up at her with a frustrated expression.“What is it? Did you have to shout my name so loudly?” I asked in annoyance but she didn't seem to notice my mood as she approached me and handed me her phone.“Look what I found. I've got evidence to prove that Kendall has been stealing from the company. Not just once or twice but multiple times!” She said and I raised a brow in shock as I scrolled through the transa
AUDREY'S POV I rushed out of Aiden's ward after hearing Scott's words. He wouldn't tell me what had happened to Claire so I had to find out by myself. I rushed downstairs and he was right behind me as we both walked into the doctor's office. “Doctor, how's my friend?” I asked in worry as I sat down on the chair opposite him and he let out a sigh before taking off his glasses. Scott sat next to me and took my hand, almost like he was giving me the silent support that I needed. “Well, your friend was hit badly from behind at the back of her head. She's fine now but there's a little problem…” He said calmly and my heart pounded wildly in my chest as he placed his hands on the table. “Tell me what it is, doctor. As long as she's fine and she's not dying, I'm sure it's not that bad.” I said to him but I didn't know if I was reassuring myself or reassuringly him. “Your friend might end up losing her memory.” He said and it felt like a bomb had been dropped inside me. “With how badly sh
AUDREY'S POVMy heart sank into the depths of my stomach as I found Claire lying unconscious on the floor. I couldn't move; I was frozen as I stared at her unconscious body on the floor, and I couldn't bring myself to move closer to her.I didn't want to believe that something was wrong with her. I just wanted her to stand up and tell me that it was all a prank. But after calling her name multiple times with no answer, the tears flowed down my face freely as my entire body shook.“Hey, look at me, Audrey. I'm sure she's fine, let me check on her.” I heard Scott say as he held my shoulders and I glanced at his handsome face before nodding blankly.Scott stepped forward and placed his fingers on her neck to check her pulse and I placed a hand over my mouth to stop myself from sobbing loudly. He suddenly turned to look at me with a smile and a hopeful expression as he turned her around and picked her up.“She still has a pulse and she's still breathing. Let's get her to the hospital firs