Thank you for reading. The next chapter is tomorrow. I am feeling better now and so is my daughter. I think I can return to publishing normal by tomorrow. Just one more day of rest. Thank you for your patience.
“I swear, Kate, Mister Ronaldo, I did not do it! I was shocked when my assistant came to me with the designs!” Catrina was crying, after hearing that the designs in her hands were the ones that were stolen. “I did not even expect her to hand me the designs? What for?” “Look at me? How many tubes are attached to me?” Catrina pointed out. “Do I really have the time to plot against the company? Six days ago, I was in a coma!" Carlos and Kate looked at each other. Then, Kate answered, “Tell me, Catrina.” Referring to Catrina’s assistant, Kate asked, “When did Venice come to give you the designs?” “Just two days ago,” Catrina replied. “It’s still in the drawer, right there, because I can’t do anything about it! I did not even order her to bring it to me. Why would I need it here?” Immediately, Catrina sobbed. She covered her face with her palms and questioned, “Why is this happening to me? First, I was food poisoned, and then this?” “Can I ask you something, Catrina? How did you get po
Two days passed. At the Longhills and Hogans Associates law firm, Monet finally confronted Carlos, Kate, and Alexander. “Look, the truth is.” Monet sniffed her tears away. “My family is going bankrupt. SWEAT IT was supposed to be our last hope.” “But with the arrival of CSK Apparel, we were threatened… I mean, how can we compete with RonaldoPlus? Carlos is so famous!” She continued to cry while saying, “Then, someone -" She stopped, reflecting on her words before changing her train of thought. "No. I can’t say more. I admit to everything, just don’t make me pay -” “But you have to pay, Monet? How can you not? We have already produced all the first line of our clothing apparel. We had a major loss because of what you did!” Carlos pointed out. It was because SWEAT IT’s designer admitted how it was all Monet’s idea and that he was forced to connive with her. Monet had threatened to fire the designer from the company. The designer was scared of his reputation and confessed outright,
The National Tennis Center Complex, New York. US Open, First Round of The Tournaments. Carlos and Alexander went through the first round with ease. They chatted about their matches in the locker rooms while changing their clothes. “You ended the entire match in ten minutes? Why didn’t you give the guy a chance?” Carlos asked his friend. “Are you kidding me? For the first time, I’m doing good for myself, and I’m on fire,” Alexander retorted. He sighed and admitted, “Besides, I’m planning to see Kendra today at the local prison. You know, ask her if she ever drugged me.” “I doubt she would admit it, though,” Carlos suggested. “Perhaps, but I’ll try to trick her into talking. Hopefully, that will work,” Alexander revealed. “Then, I need to deal with the broker who had my penthouse leased.” Carlos nodded. Alexander has decided to move to Braeton. Alexander had asked Kate to put him on the waitlist for the Penthouses at the First Diamond Hotel. The second it would become availab
“I can’t believe it. How is it they matched you with Ivan Conners?” Alexander asked, shaking his head at the dining table. “It’s still the quarter-finals. Ivan is most likely to be your competitor in the finals!” Carlos shook his head. He answered, “I swear, I don’t know what the tennis association is thinking.” He paused, frowning at the idea of going against the world’s fifth-best tennis player. Since Erik took a break, Carlos’ potential final opponent would have been Ivan. “Something is not right.” "Better ask around." Nearly a week had passed into the US Open, and both Alexander and Carlos went through the qualifying rounds. Tomorrow would be the quarterfinals. “I definitely will,” Carlos confirmed. “Though, I would not mind going against you into the finals,” Alexander suggested, and both he and Carlos laughed it out. “With what the tennis association did, that will probably happen. You are going to beat Lambert, and I am going to beat Ivan!” Carlos claimed his win. “Then,
BREAKING NEWS: “Ivan Conners won by default after Carlos Ronaldo, The Devil, suffered an injury during the quarterfinals of the US Open. The fans of The Devil were shocked by Ivan’s performance, let alone his arrogance on court today. After several attempts of strapping The Devil’s ankles, Carlos could no longer hide the pain during the third set. His team bitterly called it quits for him.” In the TV report, there was a footage of Carlos aching in anguish. His face could not hold various frowns as the medical team tried to redo the brace on his ankle. “Despite the findings, Carlos still wanted to engage in the match, but his practice partner, Alexander Jenkins, and The Devil’s security team decided for him.” “Fans of the Devil were heartbroken, and many suggested how Ivan may be under the influence. The tennis association promised to put Ivan under investigation.” ***“Alex! Alex!” Kate screamed, seeing Alexander outside the private hospital room where Carlos was admitted. After
“We will consider your suggestion, Nolan,” Carlos answered. He intended to ask about the doctor that Nolan recommended before arriving at a decision. Also, he saw Kate's hesitation. He could tell that, like him, Kate had a strange feeling about Nolan's sudden offer. “Kate?” Nolan turned to Kate as if asking for her approval. Kate awkwardly smiled and replied, “It’s just that Carlos’ doctor already knows him, his medical history, but if you say this other doctor is the best, then we will reevaluate.” With a sigh, Nolan urged, “You should, and I came all the way here to convince him to take your case. It will be good for Carlos.” “Anyway, I better get going. Since I am already here, I am meeting the hospital director in a few minutes, too. I might even convince the hospital not to charge for the operation. Hope you will take my advice,” he added. Kate just smiled and offered, “I’ll walk you out.” After asking Lemuel to stay with Carlos, Kate strode with Nolan to the lifts. It wa
“There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The US Open title this year goes to Alexander Jenkins! What a surprising season it is. The country was heartbroken when Carlos was injured, but Alexander Jenkins took home the cup!” A sports commentator announced before the cameras shifted to Alexander, raising his trophy cup, nearly teary-eyed as his astonishing win. In an interview, Alexander claimed, “This win is for my friend, Carlos, The Devil. This was supposed to be his win, but it was taken from him. And it was exactly because of Carlos that I was more determined to win this year's US Open championships.” “Mister Jenkins, when do we expect The Devil to return to playing on the court?” The reporter asked. “It’s hard to say, but we know Carlos. His ultimate goal was to win all four Grand Slam tournaments in a year. This year, he won three out of four. He was this close. If not the next season, he would surely be back to claim it the year after.” Alexander looked at the camera and own
“We have phone records suggesting that Nolan colluded with Tyler and Monet. Their conversations covered you and your company, also Miss Wright. I believe you know -” “Yes,” Carlos acknowledged on the phone. He was speaking to officer Baker. “They were our high school classmates, and they were, in fact, giving us problems before I left for the US Open.” Carlos sucked in a breath, realizing how his recent troubles were caused by Nolan altogether. He suggested, “All the more, there should be no pardon or settlement for his actions. I’ll tell my lawyers to pursue the legal case. I'll take care of Monet and Tyler." “Thank you for the update, detective Baker, and thank you for being on top of this despite Washington being outside your jurisdiction. I knew I could always count on you,” Carlos said. “I had approval from the higher-ups to lead the arrest. Besides, Washington is not that far,” detective Baker responded before the two ended their call. A day after arriving in Braeton, Carl