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Chapter TwentyFour
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2024-09-03 22:56:17Related chapters
The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentyFive
I looked at the message again, watching the words blur as a cold shiver ran down my spine, my palm tightening around the phone until my fingers turned white.My initial thought was to delete it and pretend I never saw it, but my finger hesitated on the screen, frozen by a mix of fear and confusion.Who could have sent this? And why me?My mind raced as I replayed the last few days, looking for anything... anyone... that may have led to this. Caleb's office, Monica, and Nelly's sudden interest in Tyler... Everything twisted together in my thoughts like a web that I couldn't untangle.People were buzzing about me in the office, working through their business without noticing the tension building inside me. I forced myself to breathe, but the air seemed thick, heavy, as though it were strangling me. I looked around, nearly expecting to see someone looking at me, their eyes burning into the rear of my head, but all I saw were colleagues softly chatting or glancing at their screens.Am I
Last Updated : 2024-09-05The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentySix
Next morning. My alarm startled me from a restless sleep I didn't even know I had fallen into till now. As I sat up, my heart hammered, the events of last night surged back with a panic like it never left. Disoriented, I looked about and for a moment I couldn't remember where I was. But then the sight of my cute, familiar bedroom steadied me, even if it did not help to calm the strain coiling in my chest.The picture.My breath seized as I recalled the picture in the envelope. Still laying on the nightstand where I had left it. Just what's happening to me? I crossed to the window and peeked outside, kinda expecting to see someone hiding in the shadows, but the scene below was very normal. A few neighbors walked their dogs, and a couple of kids were already on their way to school, their laughs drifting up to me. Everything looked peaceful, quiet, as if I wasn’t being watched, as if I hadn’t gotten that scary message. But I had. And the picture was proof that whoever it was, a
Last Updated : 2024-09-05The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentySeven
“I’m done with the flight bookings. Everything’s all set,” Julie said, placing a folder on Tyler’s desk with an indifferent expression.She made sure to keep her tone casual, professional even, but Tyler could sense the tension lingering between them.. He glanced at her briefly, his eyes flicking over the folder before returning to his computer screen, trying to keep the conversation strictly business.The flight to London for the presentation and charity event was important, and Julie had handled the logistics seamlessly, as always. He needed her expertise, and that was the only reason she was still around. Nothing more.Tyler kept his face impassive, refusing to let any flicker of emotion slip through, even as the burning anger he had towards her tugged at the back of his mind. But now, all of that was behind him. Or so he told himself.Julie stood there, hands closed in front of her, her expression as unreadable as always. She also looked committed to behaving as though nothing
Last Updated : 2024-09-06The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentyEight
"Okay... which one, which one, which..." I mumbled to myself, narrowing my eyes as I stood before the mirror. My closet had never felt so overwhelming. I ran my fingers over different fabrics, feeling their textures glide against my skin. Tonight I needed the perfect outfit. Something that screamed confidence, elegance, but didn’t take away from the professionalism of the event.The charity auction I had been working on for weeks was finally here. Late-night revisions, the pressure of making every detail perfect.. it was all leading up to tonight.I paused, pulling out a classic black dress. The fabric glowed as it caught the light, sophisticated yet simple. "Maybe this one," I murmured, holding it against my body. But before I could settle on the choice, my phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. “Annie?” I said, smiling as I recognized the name. My best friend, always with right timing.“Samantha!” Annie’s voice was brimming with excitement, almost vibrating through the ph
Last Updated : 2024-09-06The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentyNine
The drive to the venue was silent. A comfortable silence, only interrupted by Caleb’s smooth voice when he complimented me. "You look... stunning," he had said, his words lingering in the air longer than I wanted them to. I could feel his gaze on me from time to time, but I kept my eyes ahead, focusing on the road, the city lights blurring by. My nerves, despite my efforts to remain calm, were starting to build. Tonight was huge. My designs were being showcased for the world to see. For his world to see.Caleb pulled up to the venue, a grand hall befitting his status.. CEO of The Rinders Group. The parking lot was filled with luxury cars, each one gleaming under the streetlights, their owners stepping out, dressed in clothes worth more than most people’s rent. Basically, the air was thick with elegance, success, and power. "Here we are," Caleb said, parking the car in an area that appeared virtually set aside for him.People talking, joking, and greeting one another with simpl
Last Updated : 2024-09-06The "EX" Factor Chapter Thirty
I rushed out of the hall, my heels echoing on the car park pavement. My thoughts and heart raced as I was trying to comprehend what just happened. Tyler. Here. What the hell? "You look like you've seen a ghost." This familiar voice echoed and I immediately turned towards its direction. Julie. She stood right behind me, staring back at me with a mischievous smirk on her face. Of course. He brought his mistress along. Perfect. "So, he still keeps you around, huh?" My voice was harsh, full of the anger that had been building within me. "I guess some things never change." Her smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of knowing she had upset me. "What can I say love? Some of us simply know how to stay in the game." "What do you want?" I spat, clearly wasn't having whatever drama it was she wanted. "Oh, just checking in to see how you are, sweetie." She paused, "And to be honest, you don't appear to be doing so well." Her laughing echoed around the p
Last Updated : 2024-09-07The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtyOne
"Let me go!" I snapped, wrenching my arm free from Tyler's grip. My pulse raced, emotions rushing through me. Tyler moved back releasing my hands. "Sam, calm down. Please, just let me explain."My brows furrowed in irritation. "Explain?" I let out an humourless laughter. "I don't understand, explain what exactly?" "Sam, I know you don’t want to hear it, but just give me a chance to at least explain, please," he urged, his voice lower now.I gazed at him, my voice shaking with anger. "Explain what please? How you almost killed me? How I lost our child because of you? How you labeled me a slut and tossed divorce papers at me without even asking a single question?" My voice cracked, but I kept back the tears. Not here. Not now.Tyler’s mouth parted, but no words came out."Explain what, Tyler?" I shouted, my voice echoing in the full parking lot. "Why aren’t you saying anything?"He inhaled sharply, taking a step toward me. "I didn’t know you’d be here, Sam. I swear, plus I had no
Last Updated : 2024-09-07The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtyTwo
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. The auction went much better than I had expected, nearly too well. My designs were on full show, and the audience buzzed with excitement. Each bid appeared to raise the stakes, increasing the cost of the design I'd spent weeks coming up with. Then the final bid came in. Tyler. It had to be him, out of everyone in the room. He'd lifted his paddle and immediately outbid everyone. The room had fallen silent, a weird tension creeping over the audience as the auctioneer's hammer fell. Sold. To Tyler Wills. I didn't know what to feel at the time. Shock? Anger? Perhaps both. He said nothing, just he sat there grinning broadly as though he had just won some twisted game. The event ended soon after, and as people left the room's energy changed. I had done my part and met my commitments. Now it was time to leave. And so I found myself in Caleb's car, driving away from the scene, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a
Last Updated : 2024-09-08
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The "EX" Factor Chapter Hundred
The grand ballroom shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, the sound of champagne flutes clinking and murmured conversation filling the air. Samantha stood near the gallery's exhibit, her sleek black gown hugging her frame as she nodded politely to the guests admiring her work. Tonight was supposed to be about her achievements, a celebration of how far she’d come. But the unease brewing in her chest said otherwise. “Breathe, Sam,” Ann whispered beside her, leaning in with a teasing grin. “You’ve already got half the room in awe. Just enjoy it.” Samantha managed a small smile, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “Easier said than done.” “Relax. I’m here for moral support. Plus, there’s an open bar,” Ann added with a wink before sauntering off. Samantha turned her attention back to a potential buyer in front of her, plastering on a professional smile. She was mid-conversation when she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure at the entrance. Daniel. Her heart gav
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyNine
I stared at my laptop's glowing screen, pretending to concentrate on the email drafts in front of me. The gallery's most recent collection had been a hit; the evaluations were coming in, and new opportunities were opening up. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on my work, my mind kept wandering back to the disaster my life had become. I groaned, leaned back in my chair, and ran my hand through my hair. What'm I doing? The notion rang louder than usual, filling the silence around me. It was more than simply one thing. It was everything. Tyler. Caleb. Daniel. Each name yanked on a different part of my heart, leaving it raw and throbbing. My fingers tapped restlessly on the desk as I thought of Caleb. The way he approached Daniel and me at the restaurant, all smiles and nice words, like if he wasn't purposefully sowing mayhem in my life. I'd repeated that moment too many times, analyzing every gaze and measured pause. Caleb was not just a thorn in Tyler's side; he wa
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyEight
"Caleb, could you please stop randomly visiting my gallery," I hissed, barely able to keep the anger out of my voice as I turned to face him. His presence loomed in the doorway, hands carelessly tucked into his coat pockets as if he deserved to be there."I've already told you we were done. I no longer want anything to do with you. "Do you not understand that?" My remarks came out faster than I wanted, but I was done with his games.Caleb inclined his head slightly, a sarcastic smirk creeping over his lips. "You don't mean that, Samantha.""Yes, I do." I took a step back, crossed my arms to stabilize myself. "What we had is over. Stop showing up uninvited. Stop phoning me. "Just... stop."He laughed quietly, sending shivers up my spine. "Unfortunately, I don't take orders, especially not from you."His sudden shift in tone was subtle but noticeable. The charm he had always relied on had vanished, replaced by something darker.I swallowed, attempting to hold my ground. "This is not h
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetySeven
The room was tight, with that smothering hush that comes only after bad news. Tyler sat at the head of the long, polished table in the conference room, his mouth clenched, his gaze fixed on the financial predictions on the screen. The numbers did not deceive. They formed a dismal picture that he couldn't ignore. "Can someone explain to me how the Hartwells managed to undercut us again?" His voice was sharp, but beyond the rage was tiredness... a man breaking at the seams. Across the table, his executive team exchanged anxious looks, with no one eager to respond. "Sir," one of the younger analysts finally said, "it appears they've secured a significant investment from overseas." It provided them with the liquidity to offer better conditions to Smith Corporation. Tyler threw his fist on the table, rattling the glasses of water in front of them. "And we hadn't seen this coming? "How did we miss this?" The head of market research admitted they did not have timely access to the
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetySix
When I answered Daniel's call, his warm voice immediately relieved some of the tension in my chest. "Samantha," he said smoothly. "I was hoping you'd be free for dinner tonight." Dinner? I paused, looking at my desk, which was stacked with paperwork. However, burying myself in work hasn't done much to quiet the noise in my head lately. "Dinner sounds great," I remarked, my tone lighter than I felt. "Perfect," he responded. "I'm in the Juniper Room. It's calm and private... one of my favorites. Do you want me to come pick you up? The offer caught me off surprise; it was a simple but considerate gesture. "Oh, no, it's fine," I responded immediately. "I am still at the gallery, but I will drive myself. "I need the drive anyway." There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, his tone curious. “You sure everything’s okay?” “Absolutely,” I lied, forcing a smile even though he couldn’t see me. “Just been a long day, that’s all.” He didn’t push, thankfully, and aft
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyFive
The soothing hum of my gallery filled the air as I sipped my coffee, my limbs working on autopilot as I placed the day's new items. I hadn't had time to catch my breath since yesterday's press frenzy.Everyone was still talking about their collaboration with Daniel's company. I should have been overjoyed, but instead I felt a peculiar heaviness. Maybe it was Ann's teasing call last night, or the countless queries about Daniel that flooded my inbox this morning. Or perhaps it was the familiar tug on my chest. The one who said Tyler's name when I didn't want to hear it. I shook the notion away and concentrated on the painting in front of me, changing the angle on the easel. My gallery, Artistry Heights, was my haven. Nothing could affect me here, or so I thought. The bell from the front door shocked me. I turned to greet the customer, but my heart dropped as I saw him. Tyler. He stood just inside the door, his tall figure rigid and his jaw set in an unsettling way that ma
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyFour
I extended my arms above my head, wincing as my back protested the hours I'd spent crouched over my laptop. The quiet hum of the city filtered through the window, a constant reminder of the life that still thrived beyond Ann's apartment. The room was dim save for the brightness of my screen and the digital clock in the corner, which read 12:43 AM. My workspace was chaotic, with half-empty coffee cups, sticky notes with reminders, and a stack of sketches that needed to be finalized for an upcoming gallery assignment. I needed a distraction. The option was to let my thoughts drift back to Tyler. To Julia. Hello to everyone. God, I had been willing to give him another chance. Despite his aunt's harsh remarks and the mountains of baggage between us, I was prepared to try. But he'd shattered that fragile relationship with a truth I couldn't ignore: he was still sleeping with her. The notion twisted in my chest, harsh and cruel. I shook my head and concentrated on the image, r
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyThree
"I'm going to kill you for this," I shouted into my phone as I paced near the door to Artistry Heights Gallery, my small haven that felt too huge to fill tonight. The clean area shone under warm golden lighting, with every nook perfectly displaying the handpicked designs I'd spent months creating. "I'm sorry!" Ann's voice crackled across the line. "There was traffic, and I had to stop for gas…" "You know I hate showing up to these things alone." I adjusted the neckline of my midnight blue gown, the fabric stroking across my skin as if it could soothe the anxiety churning inside me. "Please hurry up. "I am starting to feel like a stray dog at a purebred gala." "You'll be fine," Ann reassured me, her voice full of false confidence. "Just channel that CEO energy you always bragging about. "You got this!" Before I could respond, the call went dead. Typical Ann. I sighed, squared my shoulders, and walked into the center of the networking event. The gallery was humming with act
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyTwo
Tyler slammed the conference room door behind him, sending reverberations through the office's quiet hallways. His chest heaved as he leaned against the wall, placing his hands against his temples. The meeting with Smith Corporation had been disastrous. Every word exchanged seemed like another brick crumbling from the flimsy wall that held his firm together. The Hartwell family. The Hartwells were circling like vultures, and Tyler's stomach churned at Smith Corp.'s shaky commitment to their alliance. He could feel the weight of each decision on his shoulders. If they lost the Smith deal, it would cause a domino effect, and he wasn't sure RindCorp would survive. His phone buzzed in his pocket, so he took it out, expecting a message from Ben. Instead, there was an email with a synopsis of their present financial situation. Tyler opened it, but the figures blurred together, leaving him unable to focus. He exhaled sharply, his throat tightening as frustration clawed at him. "Mr
