Ava's POVI felt a surge of anger as I realized that Ethan had used dirty means to get the total design of SkyHigh.There was just no way a design could be the same word for word. There was definitely something dirty about it.I clenched my fists and tried to take in deep breaths to control my anger, but it wasn't working."Ma'am, what should we do about our video for SkyHigh?" Camilla asked, her eyebrows furrowing with concern."You know what?" I smiled, tapping my feet hard on the ground. "Upload it.""Ma'am? Upload it? That's... that's going to be seen as plagiarism. They could potentially sue us!" She exclaimed, her face filled with horror."Then what should we do? Should we abandon the project? Should we discard SkyHigh just because my brother stole our ideas!?" I asked, my voice filled with anger, causing her to cower away from me."Damnit!" I exclaimed, filled with frustration, as I anxiously paced around the office. "How in the world did he pull this off!? You know what? Condu
Tom's POVI felt Ava had made a rather hasty decision by choosing to upload the video of SkyHigh's features even after seeing Ethan's video.It was clear who had copied whom, but the public didn't care. They only cared about who had uploaded the video first and the animosity between the step-siblings.There was a swift knock on my door, followed by Henry coming in."He's here," he said after closing the door behind him, and I raised a brow."Remind me again," I asked him as I sat straight in my chair."Sylvester," he replied immediately, causing me to rub my forehead."Please bring him in," I instructed, and he hastily exited my office.The next time he came in, he was with Sylvester."Sit," I said, gesturing towards the sofa with my arm. I positioned myself across from Sylvester, and he extended a flash towards me."Here it is, sir," he said, still extending his arm, and I took the flash from him."Hmmm, this is it huh? It has everything in it? The videos I need?" I asked, studying t
Tom's POVI stared at the picture Ava had asked me about.She looked so happy, smiling like she had no worries in the world.My hand brushed over the heart I had drawn over it, and memories of the past came flooding in.My hands began to shake, and I bit my lip as unwanted memories wrapped around my head.Why had Ava seen it? Why hadn't I kept the picture away? Why was it still with me?As I kept on staring at the picture with my mind flooded with memories, my phone rang, and I picked it up.It was a call from Henry."What is it? Isn't it a bit too early for problems?" I asked, immediately, the call got connected."We might have a big problem at hand, Sir. Notes Tech has released a statement concerning Vance Tech," he informed me, his voice sounding unsettling."What statement?" I asked, rubbing my chin."Ethan Brooks has announced that he would be suing Mrs. Lockwood if she doesn't stop the project for SkyHigh," he stated boldly, causing my fingers, which had been occupied with rubbi
Tom's POVI sat in my office, across from the lawyer sipping tea from a mug."You've heard the news. We have to do something about it." I said impatiently as the man seemed to be waiting for me to speak."I'm afraid there's not much we can do without evidence. Accusations without evidence are not regarded. We need solid evidence. We can't just claim he stole it." He said, looking at me through his horn-rimmed glasses."We have all the drafts needed." I said, dropping my mug on the glass table."And what happens if they also have drafts? We have to prepare more, if we're planning on winning this case." He said, with a sigh, and I sighed in return."Maybe footage of him walking in while they're at work or him leaving suspiciously? Something we can hold onto." He said, staring at me like I had the answer in me.I scratched my head, and sighed."Fine. Let's go to Vance Tech later this afternoon. I have some business to attend to." I said, getting to my feet.He was right after all. We nee
Ava's POVEveryone turned to look at him, and for a while, I couldn't do anything.Then they all turned to me staring at me for my reaction. After a few seconds, of replaying that sentence in my head, I stood to my feet."Are you sure you found the spy?" I asked, and he nodded, then rushed to me with the phone.My hands shook as I took the phone from him, and the other employees who were present crowded around me, wanting to see who the spy was.The video was of the guy making a video while everyone was rounding up, and preparing to go home. He was smiling at himself, and making embarrassing faces, and I wondered if that was what he wanted us to watch."Hey, Susan. I'm going home. When are you going to be done? I'm hungry." He snapped, and she seemed to be far away from him."I'm almost done! Wait." Susan snapped, and the guy could be seen waiting."I'm sorry, Miss Brooks, I mean Miss Lockwood. Pardon me, to move it forward a bit." He said, and I sighed.He moved it forward a bit to a
Ethan's POVI whistled some more, then reached for the remote beside me and switched on the TV.However, just as I was about to take my first spoonful of the delicious oatmeal in front of me, I was abruptly interrupted by the sound of my name coming from the television.I paused my spoon and shifted my gaze towards the television.What could they be saying that had my name in it? "Shocking revelation as we uncover the unexpected twist," I heard the voice of the newscaster say, and my heart skipped a beat, "The real owner of the new jaw-dropping drone that has got everyone talking is now confirmed to be owned by Ava Lockwood and not Ethan Brooks who was the first one to upload the video of the new drone in development."The man's words took me aback, my eyes widening and my mouth hanging open in surprise."Today at three in the afternoon, a video was released revealing a female employee, who was later identified as a former employee at Notes Tech, capturing images of files that appear
Ava's POV"Come on, Tom. What's wrong?" I inquired, rising from my seat."I need you to see something. I'm currently at home. This is not something I can explain over the phone," he said, his voice filled with desperation."I'll... I'll be right there," I managed to say and ended the call.Without wasting any time, I dashed out of my office, and when Camilla saw me, she rose from her seat, clutching a stack of papers."Mrs. Lockwood, we…""Later, Camilla. I'm heading out. Fill in for me if necessary," I interrupted and exited her office.I quickly made my way to the underground parking lot and drove out of the company.**********The house was dark when I entered, and it got me quite scared."Tom?" I called out, fumbling inside my bag to take out my phone and switch on its light.Suddenly, a hand tightly grasped my shoulder. Startled, I let out a scream and instinctively swung my bag, hitting the person square in the face.The lights came on, and I saw Tom on the floor."Oh my!" I ex
Ava's POVI groaned as I woke up and rolled over to the other side of the bed whilst letting out a yawn.A few minutes later, I sat up, scratched my head, and ruffled my hair.I slowly opened my eyes and began to glance around.To my surprise, I found myself in Tom's room instead of my own.I scratched my arm and then abruptly stood up from the bed as the sudden realization washed over me."Oh my goodness! I can't believe I'm in Tom's room!" I exclaimed, taking a quick glance around."Alright, Ava. I'm not sure how you ended up here, but we need to get out." I muttered to myself, hastily making my way towards the door, nearly tripping in the process.I hurriedly made my way to my room, taking care not to stumble, and settled down in front of my desk as soon as I got to my room."What happened?" I asked myself, but it wasn't as though I couldn't remember; I remembered exactly what happened. I just didn't want to think about it.It was yet another mistake, and I just knew that it was on
Tom's POVThe idea of getting married had always been daunting to me because it represented a lifelong commitment.It was not something I could easily walk away from, but the way she asked me about it gave me a sense of excitement. It made me feel like there was a lot to expect from her. After all, ever since our relationship began, we had been able to overcome many obstacles and challenges, which had only brought us closer than contract marriage partners typically would be."Alright, that's it. Well, since you guys need to come to a better and more sincere decision, I'll be on my way," Melody announced. She gave Ava a deep hug and left the restaurant.After staring at Melody for a long while, Ava's gaze returned to meet mine."I don't know about you, but I want to spend a lifetime with you. I can't imagine being with anyone else now. I don't want us to see where this goes, I want us to take us where it goes. And Chris won't have power over us anymore, because this time, we'll go thr
Tom's POVAva and I exchanged a fearful glance as terror gripped us.Had Chris heard or seen us approaching, or was he angry because I hadn't shown any fear when he talked about detaining Melody?Ava swallowed and took the first step. After three more steps, she broke into a run and smashed through the window. It was quite impressive how forceful she was. How on earth could a woman break through a window?I followed in her footsteps and saw a trail of blood coming from the hall.My eyes widened and immediately I tried to stop Ava from running headfirst into whatever was waiting for us, but she was too fast.As soon as she reached the end of the hall, she let out a scream and instinctively placed her hand on her chest before bolting into the living room.I followed her and found Chris on the floor, blood pouring from his leg.Melody still had her gun pointed at him, but Ava hugged her tightly as if she had been raised from the dead.Tears streamed down Melody's cheeks, but her grip on
Ava's POVChris had abducted Melody, there was no other way to put it, but I still clung to Tom because he was at his most vulnerable at that moment and wasn't ready to deal with anything else.As his tears continued to fall, I felt conflicted.I was afraid for Melody's safety in the hands of the reckless Chris, and afraid that if I interrupted this moment with Tom, I might never experience anything like it again.I held him closer, and for a moment he remained still. He rested in my embrace, perhaps reflecting on the painful memories he had been made to endure.We were there for about half an hour, and the entire time was filled with a sick feeling of worry for me.Finally, he pulled away from me and stood up."Wine for us? I believe we have no secrets now," he remarked, and I nodded with a faint smile. "Is something bothering you?" He asked, sitting down again."Are you feeling better now?" I asked, gently touching his tear-streaked face."I never thought I could cry, but you seem t
Ava's POV"Are you telling the truth? Will you really tell me everything, no matter what happens?" I asked.He was silent for a while but eventually spoke. "I will tell you everything, no matter what happens. I promise you, Ava.""Is that Tommy?" Dora suddenly asked, bursting into a high cackle."Oh, um, Tom. She's here. Dora is here," I said uncomfortably as she began to approach me."What?! Dora?? Where? Where are you, Ava?""We are in the parking lot," I replied immediately. "She told me she wants coffee, cigarettes, and her brother.""Take her to the closest coffee shop and get her whatever she wants. I'll be there soon," he told me before I ended the call."You want coffee right?" I asked her, my voice a bit shaky."I thought you weren't going to give me any," she raised a brow at me."I've changed my mind. Tom said to give you whatever you want.""Oh, my sweet Tommy. I always knew he still had feelings for me.""But what exactly happened between you two?" I quipped."He tried to
Tom's POVThe nurse explained to me how they had gone to Dora's room to offer her treatment, but found out that she wasn't there.They had tried calling Chris, but he was wanted so his phone was turned off. Then they had called me, but I had also been unreachable.When I had gone to visit her some days ago, I was asked to provide all of my contact numbers, so I included my office number as well and it turned out to be the only way for them to reach me now."Are there any CCTV cameras?" I inquired, and the nurse let out a sigh."The last time she was seen, she walked into the staff toilet and never came out. When it was checked again, it was discovered that she had stolen the clothes of a nurse and left her unconscious. At the time, no one suspected her, so she was able to run out," she explained, her voice trembling slightly."So?" I asked."We think she might go to visit any of her relatives. Maybe you or her brother," she finished, and I licked my lips."It's fine. If she comes to s
Ava's POVI was about to open my room door, but then I remembered that Chris had made me lock it from the inside. I realized that I would probably have to find another room to sleep in. I quickly went into the room next to mine and slammed the door in anger. Then I flopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.It was so frustrating that he didn't feel ready to tell me anything about Dora. He wasn't prepared to narrate the whole thing to me, leaving me in the dark.The fact that I had trusted and loved him blindly brought tears to my eyes.How could you tell someone you loved them and still refuse to let them know all there was to you?I hated secrets. I hated liars, and I hated deceivers!!With that thought, I found myself drifting off to sleep.The night I had had indeed been an eventful one, full of fear and anxiety.*************The next morning, I woke up at dawn, took a shower, looked through the wardrobe for clothes set aside for unexpected guests, and chose an outfit.
Ava's POVI was dumbstruck; I mean completely speechless."Wait, isn't that Tom's wife? The new girl he loves?" She started to shout. "Ha, she's not as pretty as we thought." She then paused and looked around. "Hey guys, why were we scared? Obviously, it's because we didn't expect a stranger. I can't believe he ended up saving her after all. If it weren't for us, she would have lost her fingers. Why did you even tell him the location? You should have just let her hands rot. She doesn't need them."The way she spoke to herself was unnerving. Suddenly, she began to laugh like a maniac, and I found myself breathing faster out of fear of what she might do."Does Tom think he'll lead a good life after ending mine? No!! I'll make him miserable too. I'll make him share my hospital room and laugh with me, too!" she promised as she ran her hands over her bed.I stumbled back a few steps.."He… he made you like this?" I asked in a shaky voice.In a fit of bubbling rage, she angrily demanded, "A
Ava's POVI gasped, and my phone slipped from my grasp."Raise them. Those hands," he said slowly, and my hands shot up to the ceiling immediately. "Good. Now, any little, stupid sound that I don't approve of, and I'll blast your head," he threatened softly, causing my eyes to close tightly.He was dressed entirely in black, with a black cap covering his head.He then moved closer to me; even with my eyes closed, I could feel his presence growing stronger.My limbs trembled, and it seemed like I would collapse any moment. "You need to lock the door," he whispered into my ear, his voice dangerously close, as he pressed the gun against the back of my neck.My legs sprang into action instantly, a little too fast."I'm not trying to run away. I'm not," I assured him in a wavering voice as I proceeded to lock my door.With the tip of the gun in his hands, he forcefully pushed me to the bed while he leaned against the nightstand, carefully observing me."You must think you've won. Everythi
Tom's POVMr. Roger looked nervous as he had finally confessed their greed, and as he met my expressionless eyes, it seemed he understood the gravity of what he had done."That's why they were so adamant," he explained, his eyes darting from Henry to me. "I actually wanted to pull out, but I had already used the money for my wife's surgery, and there wasn't really any way of getting it back." He moistened his lips nervously as he spoke."So are you saying that he successfully bribed the entire board too?" Henry asked.Mr. Roger shook his head. "No. A few persons rejected the money because they wanted to stick with Mrs. Lockwood. And I really wanted to, but I …""I can imagine the others saying exactly what you're saying - making excuses. But excuses don't cover up what you've done. Mrs. Lockwood will be the one to decide whether or not to expose you," I announced, noticing fear crossing his eyes."I… I know what I did was wrong…," he stuttered, avoiding my gaze.**************Ava wen