Isabella's POV I gazed at the picture of Aiden on my phone, my thoughts racing. He resembled Lucas perfectly - identical piercing blue eyes, the same defined jawline, the same playful grin. I swiftly punched in Kendall's number, my heart racing with thrill. "Kendall, I want to talk to you, now please." I said, attempting to appear composed. Kendall consented to meet me at a café in the city center, and I showed up ahead of time, feeling anxious. When Kendall came, I presented her with the picture of Aiden once more, and we both remained there in shocked silence. "This is enormous," Kendall finally remarked, her voice just above a whisper. "Lucas is unaware that he has a son." I nodded, my thoughts racing through my mind. "We can leverage this," I remarked, as a strategy began to take shape in my thoughts. Kendall's eyes beamed with excitement. "By what means?" I leaned closer, a cunning grin spreading on my face. "We'll inform Lucas about Aiden, but not right now." "We'll hold
Isabella's POV I entered the coffee shop, looking around the room for Kendall. She was already present, seated at a table near the window. I grinned as I approached her. "Hey," I remarked, taking a seat in the chair opposite her. "Hello," Kendall responded, grinning at me in return. "I'm really intrigued by your new plan." "Overflow." I chuckled, sipping my coffee before diving into the specifics. "Alright, this is what I had in mind." We will organize for a few individuals to pretend to be investors, and they will schedule a meeting with Audrey to talk about a possible investment opportunity. Kendall's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I enjoy it." What is the objective? "I clarified that the 'investors' will be equipped with concealed cameras and microphones." "They will record Audrey talking about her position as an executive assistant and, with any luck, uncover some damaging details." Kendall nodded, her face lighting up with excitement. "That's brilliant." Yet, how can we g
Isabella's POV I sat in the hotel room, encircled by Kendall and the two men we employed to act as investors. We had given them a considerable amount of money to trick Audrey, and we were resolute in ensuring they understood precisely what to do. "Alright, let’s review the plan once again," I remarked, gazing at the two men. They nodded, their gaze directed at me. "I clarified that you will act as representatives from a company wishing to collaborate with Lucas's firm." "You'll present Audrey with an offer that seems unbelievable, and she'll eagerly seize the opportunity to earn money." Kendall provided them with a folder containing documents and information regarding Lucas's company. "Go through this," she stated. "Your words must be persuasive when speaking with Audrey." The two men acknowledged each other, grabbing the folder and starting to browse through its materials. "I also need you to take photos with Audrey when the meeting ends," I mentioned. "We'll utilize those to
Audrey's POV I walked into my home via the front entrance, my mind concentrated on my son, Aiden. I had just ended a call with a nurse at the hospital, and she told me that Aiden's condition is the same – not improved or deteriorated. A surge of sorrow and worry engulfed me as I imagined my small child lying in that hospital bed. I remembered the joy I felt when I brought him into the world, how I embraced him and sensed my heart almost bursting with affection. Now, he was ill with cancer and i am spending a substantial amount on his treatment, yet he showed no progress whatsoever. Tears started to fill my eyes as I reflected on all this started. I wasn't certain how much longer I could tolerate this. Just as I was about to cry, I remembered something. Tomorrow , I will be having a meeting with some investors. They reached out to me unexpectedly, showing interest in investing in Lucas's company. At first, I had my doubts. I mean, how did they get my number? What prompted them to
Audrey's POV I was seated opposite John and Michael, feeling enthusiastic and assured. They grinned at me, their gaze warm and businesslike. "Okay, Audrey, could you share some information about Lucas's business?" John inquired, leaning in. I agreed, initiating a detailed explanation of the organization's mission, values, and goals. I communicated details about our latest offers, our growth strategies, and the skills of our team. As I spoke, I couldn't rid myself of a sense of pride. Lucas's enterprise was accomplishing amazing feats, and I felt fortunate to be a part of it. John and Michael were attentive, asking questions and taking notes. I answered their questions candidly, unaware that they were recording our conversation. "I stated that we've been traveling to New York for meetings with potential investors," I said. "We are excited about the possibilities." John grinned and gestured affirmatively. "That's great." We are interested in putting money into companies that are
Isabella's POV I anxiously sat at my desk awaiting the call from Michael and John. I waited for hours without getting even a flash from them.I was about to give up when my phone buzzed. I responded quickly, my heart racing with excitement. "Hi?" I said. "Isabella, this is John," the voice from the other side stated. "The meeting is over." I experienced a wave of enthusiasm. "How did it turn out?" I inquired. "It went flawlessly," John remarked. "We managed to get Audrey to disclose some of the company's secrets, and we recorded it all in an audio." I grinned inwardly, experiencing a feeling of contentment. "And the document?" I inquired. "We managed to persuade her to sign it without looking at it." "And we captured some wonderful pictures of us together." John said.I chuckled quietly, experiencing a feeling of victory. "Great job," I remarked. "Concerning the outstanding payment..." "Yeah," John replied. "We'll need that before we can provide you with any of the evidence."
Lucas POV scheduled a meeting with my board members, along with my financial team. We assembled in the conference room, and I could feel the tension in the atmosphere. "Lucas, what’s happening?" inquired one of the board members. "We've received odd reports concerning the company's finances." I inhaled deeply and clarified the circumstances. "Audrey seems to have reached out to several investors, and she has been disclosing private information regarding the company." The room became quiet, and I noticed the anger and frustration displayed on my team members' faces. "We cautioned you regarding this, Lucas," one of them remarked. "We mentioned that Audrey was responsible for the earlier scandal, yet you chose not to heed." I experienced a wave of remorse and contrition. "I apologize," I said. "I ought to have heeded your advice." "However, what actions can we take at this moment?" The members of the team nodded in disapproval. "There's nothing we can accomplish," one of them rema
ISABELLA POV“I am getting married!” I cheered, adjusting my falling tiara.The music played loudly from the speaker while my friends and I danced.I sipped my glass of champagne, twirling as I enjoyed my bachelorette party.“Tomorrow, I am going to be a married woman!” I yelled with joy and my friends cheered me on.“Cheers to the bride!” Courtney, my best friend, praised me.“Cheers!” The others cheered.“Let's get drunk!” One of the ladies said, with the others cheering.“Minus you, Bell. We can't have a drunk bride on the altar tomorrow,” Courtney warned, and I smiled, nodding.We all clinked our glasses together, and I took a large sip, savoring the moment. “Aaah,” I groaned happily. “That felt good.”“Bell,” Courtney called, a warning in her tone.“Come on, Courtney. Let her relax a little,” Merida said, but Courtney wasn't having it.“If she relaxes any longer. We might have a huge problem,” Cortney replied, grabbing my wine glass.“That's why you're her maid of honor. You can
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