“What are you smiling at? Do you think this is a joke?”Ezra snapped.Eugene replied, “Yes,I do.”“You’ve crossed the line,you brat!”Ezra roared, slamming his fist on the table.“You want me to marry her so the company’s reputation can stay intact. I would applaud you for the quick thinking, really. But if we’re arguing about personalities, then I can only say ‘like father, like son.¹”His lips curled into a sneer.“What…are you…”Ezra tensed up instantly.“Jessica used to be the woman of my dreams, yes. But I can no longer force myself to marry her.”Eugene looked away. “Still, she saved me. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have lived to this day. I will repay her with this. After she recovers, I’ll break up with her.”“You…You want to break up with Jessica?”Ezra cried in disbelief.“Yes,”Eugene replied without hesitation.“Do you think she could handle that news,Eugene? She has serious depression and almost took her own life because of the marriage postponement! Do you have any idea w
Eugene had long heard about JK Group and Schmidt Group’s joint ventures, both in the country and overseas. Additionally, the family heads had cultivated a close friendship spanning more than two decades.Eugene pondered whether this meant that Leah had known Jameson since her childhood. He contemplated whether their close bond had its roots in their shared childhood.Tristan sighed, a look of envy and admiration in his eyes.”Ms. King truly is blessed. Her father dotes on her so much that he surrounds her with all these elites. Even someone like Josh Lynch is only her personal assistant.”He then eyed his boss, feeling pitiful on his behalf. Eugene’s title as CEO and soon-to-be VP of the board of directors seemed minute accomplishments compared to the grandiose Leah was steeped in.Even blind men would be dazzled by her!A vein in Eugene’s temple was throbbing. He leaned against the wall, hands slowly curling into fists. “First the Lynch family, then the Schmidts …What the hell is this
It appeared that Curtis had acted impulsively, which explained why he had landed in his current predicament. It seemed like he was in desperate need of money and he didn’t wait for Jessica’s signal.Leah couldn’t help but think that Curtis was a real shithead.“Don’t do anything to Leah King yet.Wait for my call.”Jessica’s voice was sickly sweet, oozing with glee.”Things are looking up right now. I’ve gotten Eugene’s attention on me all over again.He’s been by my side these past few days.Mr. Ezra promised the marriage would go on, too. The wedding should be any day now.”At the mention of the wedding, Jason glanced at his sister, worried for her emotions.But Leah seemed unaffected. In fact, she barely looked bothered.Jason smiled lightly, feeling glad.“Since you two are going to marry, then that fifty million you promised—”“Why are you in such a hurry? Geez!”Jessica scoffed.”That’s barely any money. I’ll send you 5 million first. Then, when Eugene and I marry, I’ll pay you the rem
“Find Jessica’s daughter. I need to set the bait beforehand, though.”Leah narrowed her eyes slyly.”Curtis said only Jessica’s mother,Maria, knows her whereabouts, so we’ll have to let her lead the way for us.”Jason smiled.“What about Jessica?”“Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.”Leah sat back, yawning.”Isn’t she about to marry Eugene? We can’t make her crash and burn without first letting her sit in the high seat.”Jason pursed his lips, suddenly recalling what Curtis had said earlier.”Eugene is a blind, foolish man, Leah.”“I couldn’t care less. I’ve regained my sight regardless, so he’d better stay out of my way.”Leah took out her phone, recalling the pictures she had taken of Jameson from days ago.”By the way, see if you recognize this guy. He saved me from a potentially serious injury when Curtis attacked earlier today.”“Really?” Jason said, “We’ll have to properly thank him then.”“But he has been quite mysterious and secretive about his identity. Yet, he s
“Oh Ezra.”Sarah let out,pitifully.Her face was lined with tears as she gazed sadly and lovingly at Ezra.”I thought I’d never see you again. I’ve suffered so much,Ezra. I was so scared…”Ezra did not feel an ounce of pity for her right now. He had undergone too much these past few days to spend energy making her feel better.Just then, the news channel came on the television. It was news of JK Group’s CEO, Jason King, signing the Verdane Valley project joint venture with Orlander Hodgson and his company.The two exchanged contracts, then shook hands as the reporters frantically took pictures of this historical moment.Eugene stared at the screen, hand slowly tightening around his glass. Ezra’s face was darkening at the same time.Their milk was spilled, and it was all because of Leah King!Sarah’s heart skipped a beat, and then she quickly grabbed Ezra’s arm.”Ms. Leah is too cruel to us! How have we offended her? She not only stole our company’s project, but she even tried to send me
Leah couldn’t understand Jerome’s persistence. She wondered why she couldn’t have a say in the matter.“I’m in a meeting,Jerome. We can chit-chat in private, not here,” she grunted lowly.“Chit-chat? Your marriage is no mere chit-chat!”Jerome snorted.”If you want to become JK Group’s CEO, then you have to attend this!”Leah cursed silently at Jerome. She couldn’t help but wonder if Eugene had put him up to this.Did her father perhaps want to get back at Eugene.“Alright, fine! But not today. I’m in a meeting now!”Leah sighed. She was taking things slow now, never taking more than she could chew.“Hmph. Alright. You can’t refuse forever.”Leah scowled, thinking to herself, “Tryharder, old man!”The rest of the meeting went by awkwardly, with the team members fearful of upsetting Leah and getting into trouble.Afterward,Leah returned to her office and lay back on her sofa, resembling a robot that had run out of battery-utterly motionless.Josh came into the room with coffee, asking, “I
Leah had to wonder if her suitors truly fell for her charm underneath her hideous appearance or if they were too eager to marry the daughter of Jerome King. Even she would barf at her own face. How did they remain calm in front of her?Power was indeed a great motivator, prompting her suitors to turn a blind eye to her looks.Thankfully, she had plan B ready.During her lunch with the first suitor, she suggested showing off her talent by reading his fortune through palmistry.She informed the man that he had the health of a seventy-year-old despite being only thirty, causing his face to fall as he stormed out of the venue.During her tea break with the second suitor, she kept staring at the space behind the man until he felt a shiver down his spine.“Ms. King, what are you staring at?”“Dylan, there’s a kid standing behind you.He’s looking at you. Are you sure you don’t want him to join us?”Her voice took a creepy turn. “He looks…pretty…pitiful …”Dylan Coppola fled the scene before t
Jameson smiled and sipped his tea with poise and grace, like a noble gentleman from a regency novel. He chatted with Leah for a bit.From their conversation, she learned that he had been caring for his mother in London. Due to Alzheimer’s, Lily Schmidt was unable to take care of herself anymore. Despite multiple opportunities to return to Chicago, Jameson chose to stay in London and build his career there.Leah recalled that Jameson came from a rather complicated family. There were four Schmidt siblings in total, with Jameson being the youngest. His two brothers and a sister were the offspring of the first wife, while Jameson was born to the second wife of the Schmidt Family.She knew little about Lily, who was once a close family friend. She even paid a visit tothe Schmidts’manor, but Lily left no impression on her at all.“So, why did you come home this year?”asked Leah.“I’m coming back to where I belong. Afterall, I’m the son of the Schmidt family. I want to take what I am entitl