After a successful day for William, he entered their home, the pungent scent of alcohol hit him like a wave, his senses instantly alerting him to the fact that something was amiss. He followed the trail of the scent to the mini-bar, where he found his wife slumped over, a half-empty bottle of whiskey clutched in her hand."Where did you go, William?" Cindy slurred, her words thick with intoxication.William hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He knew that telling Cindy the truth about his meeting with the private investigator would only lead to more questions and arguments. And right now, he didn't have the patience for either."I had some business to attend to," he replied evasively, his tone guarded.Cindy's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she struggled to focus on him. "Business, huh? Again? Don’t you have another excuse, huh?" she scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Or were you out gallivanting with some other woman?"He felt a surge of irritation rise within him at Cindy's
He woke up with thrilling feelings coursing through his veins, buoyed by the news of Mark's whereabouts yesterday night. Despite the tension with his wife, he couldn't contain his excitement at the prospect of reconnecting with his eldest son, with his kids. He dressed quickly, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the possibilities that lay ahead."I can't believe it," William whispered to himself, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I finally have a chance to make things right with Mark, with them."His heart swelled with hope as he made his way downstairs, eager to start the day on a positive note. But as he entered the kitchen, the sight that greeted him dampened his spirits. Cindy sat at the table, her expression sour and her demeanor cold."You look very happy today, William," Cindy remarked, her tone laced with suspicion. "Tell me, what's happening?"His smile faltered at the edge of her sharp words, his excitement dimming in the face of her grumpiness. He knew that tellin
He paced the floor of his office, his mind consumed by a tumult of endless guilt. His failures as a father pressed down upon him, crushing his spirit beneath their heavy burden."If only I had been a better father," He muttered to himself, his voice thick with emotion. "If only I had been there for them when they needed me the most."He couldn't shake the feeling of regret that gnawed at him from within, the knowledge that his children had suffered because of his shortcomings as a parent weighing heavily on his conscience. He had been so focused on building his empire, on amassing wealth and success, that he had neglected the most important thing of all - his children, his flesh and blood."I'm a failure," William whispered, his voice choking with tears. "I'm a billionaire, but my money can't fix what I've done. It can't ease their pain, can't erase the scars of their suffering."Each word he spoke felt like a dagger to his heart, a painful reminder of the irreparable damage he had ca
The next few hours, he tried to bury himself in his paperwork. The steady rhythm of typing filled the air, punctuated by the occasional rustle of papers as he sorted through documents. Each form and report demanded his attention, providing a welcome distraction from the thoughts that swirled in his mind.He poured over the endless stacks of papers, his pen moving swiftly across the page as he scribbled notes and annotations. He was determined to lose himself in the tasks of his position, if only to temporarily escape the weight of his worries about his children.Meanwhile, outside his office door, Nick stood waiting, his concern for his friend evident on his face. He knew that William had been struggling with the weight of his responsibilities as a father, and he was willing to offer him some respite from his worries."Hey, William," Nick called out, knocking gently on the door. "You overwork yourself too much. Let's go to lunch together."William glanced up from his paperwork, surpri
After the lunch break, Nick and William returned to the office, the hum of the air conditioning filling the room as they settled back into his workstations. His mind, however, was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by the image of Lucas Davis, a man he had never met but whose face on the television screen had ignited a strange sense of irritation within him."He looks like a bad guy. A bad guy from the movies. Something like that," He muttered to himself, his brow furrowed in thought. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about Lucas Davis, something that didn't sit right with him, even though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.Or maybe, he was just being judgmental? But he was too old for judging others. He’s not a teenager anymore. He’s not a boy. Shaking his head, William tried to refocus on his work. "Forget about him, William. Oh man, what are you thinking?" he told himself. "He's just a stranger. Our paths aren't going to cross anyway."But try as he m
He can feel himself increasingly irritated by his mother's persistent persuasion to engage in a business deal with Lucas Davis. Sitting at the dining table, he struggled to understand her insistence."Why would I do business with him?" His tone was tinged with annoyance, his brows furrowed in frustration.His mother, however, was quick to counter his argument. "And why not? The Davis family is a multi-billionaire family! They have numerous successful businesses across the country! Are you out of your mind, William? Where’s your brain?" Her voice carried a hint of anger."I don't need a partner, mother. Especially not a young man like him," He retorted, his irritation evident in his voice.His mother, unable to understand his reluctance, tried to reason with him. "What are you talking about, William? Lucas Davis is not a boy. He's in his thirties. He's a young man with great potential!"Despite his mother's attempts to persuade him, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease at the though
He felt tired suddenly and he’s very worn out. "Mom, I'm exhausted now. I'm sorry, but I can't stay up too late. I still have work tomorrow," he explained, feeling the weight of the day's events.His mother nodded, her expression serious. "Alright. But you can't take back your words anymore, William. You have to keep your promise, okay?" Her tone was firm, indicating that she expected him to follow through with his decision.William knew his mother well enough to realize that she would not easily forget what he had said. He gave her a reassuring smile, silently promising to honor his word.Turning to his wife, he said, "Cindy, I'm very tired now. Can you entertain my mother for me? I will go to bed now." He hoped that Cindy would understand his need for rest and take care of his mother in his absence.Alright, you should rest. I'll entertain Auntie for a while," she replied, offering him a small smile before turning her attention to his mother.He made his way to the bedroom, he could
William woke up to the endless ringing of his cell phone, feeling groggy and disoriented. He glanced at the clock and realized it was still early in the morning. Despite his reluctance, he answered the call when he saw it was his mother calling."Mom, it's still very early in the morning. What's up?" he asked, his voice laced with sleepiness.His mother, however, sounded unusually excited and upbeat. "Oh my God, son, you will like this news! I'm sure you're going to love what I'm going to tell you!"Perplexed by her enthusiasm, William asked, "What is it?""I've already contacted the Davis family. And they agreed to have a meeting!" she exclaimed.His eyes widened in surprise. He wasn't prepared to face the Davis family yet, especially not this early in the morning. He could feel his mother's eagerness radiating through the phone, but he couldn't muster up the same enthusiasm."Mom, it's too early to discuss this. Can we talk about it later?" he requested, hoping to buy himself some t
So the two of them stepped out of the bar, he couldn't contain his excitement. He was determined to make Sarah his, consequences be damned. He led her to his newest sports car, a sleek and shiny machine that screamed luxury."Wow, is this your car, Lucas?" Sarah asked, her eyes wide with awe.Lucas smirked, loving the way she looked at him. "Of course. I have a collection of sports cars in my villa," he boasted, opening the car door for her.Sarah climbed into the passenger seat, impressed by Lucas's display of wealth and power. As they drove towards her place, Lucas couldn't help but try to impress her even more."So, Sarah, tell me about your family. What do they do in life?" Lucas asked, trying to steer the conversation away from his own deception.Sarah hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "My parents are in marketing, and many more," she replied finally. "They are constantly moving from town to another town because of business.”Lucas raised an eyebrow, intrigued
"I couldn't help but notice you from across the room. You look absolutely stunning in that emerald dress. I’m not gonna lie, when I tell you that,”Sarah smiled politely, but there was a hint of skepticism in her eyes. "Thank you," she replied. "And let me just say, you have the most captivating smile I've ever seen." He said, extending his hands.Sarah chuckled softly. "You certainly know how to lay on the charm, don't you?"Lucas grinned, feeling emboldened by her response. "I like to think I have a way with words. So, what brings a beautiful woman like you to a place like this?"He couldn't resist the urge to show off. He casually mentioned his successful businesses, subtly hinting at his wealth and success. "I own a few businesses myself," he said casually. "Nothing too fancy, just a few million-dollar ventures here and there."Sarah raised an eyebrow, impressed despite herself. "That's quite impressive. It must keep you busy?”He shrugged nonchalantly. "It does, but I always mak
The luxury high-end bar was highly recommendable in the town, with its glittering chandeliers, plush velvet couches, and marble-topped tables. Soft jazz music played in the background, creating a sophisticated ambiance. The place was bustling with well-dressed patrons, sipping on expensive cocktails and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.And inside of the place, Lucas Davis sat at the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand, a smirk on his face. Despite being engaged, he was determined to enjoy his night out and relish in the attention of others. He was known as the "life of the party,". He took a sip of his drink, Lucas's eyes scanned the room, taking in the scene around him. He saw his "friends," the sons of wealthy businessmen, approaching him with smiles on their faces."Lucas! You're here too! What the hell, man!" one of them exclaimed, clapping him on the back."Of course, I'm here. I'm everywhere," He replied with a cocky grin, reveling in the attention."But I heard you were very busy
Lucas Davis was seething with anger. His face was red, and his hands trembled with frustration as he paced back and forth in his office. Harper watched him with a smirk, enjoying his display of rage."I can't believe that old man, mom! Imagine that? He wasted my time! My time is too precious just to be wasted! How dare he decline us? They're the ones who set up an appointment with us! They're the ones who need us!" He shouted, his voice echoing off the walls.His mother chuckled wickedly. "Yes, the nerve of him! I can't believe William declined us. Well, he hasn't declined yet, he told us he'll think twice.""The nerve of him! Doesn't that old guy know who we are? We're billionaires! Everyone wants to get a partnership with me!" Lucas roared, his fists clenched in fury.Harper stood up, her eyes flashing with malice. "Hey, calm down, Lucas. We need to be strategic about this. You can't let our emotions control you!”Lucas glared at her. "I am calm, Mom! I just can't stand it when some
Finally, after like the end of the world, William and his wife got back home. The heavy feeling of the day seemed to hang heavy on his shoulders. He sank onto the sofa, feeling drained and stressed from the encounter with Lucas Davis and his mother.“Ahh! So tired!” He complained while massaging his neck.His wife watched him closely, her expression unreadable. "So, have you decided, William?" she asked, her voice tense.He rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "I can't decide yet, Cindy. We just got home, please, not now." he replied, his tone weary.Cindy's face tightened at his response. She, too, was exhausted, but she knew they needed to make a decision soon. "I'm exhausted too! It's Not just you! But you need to decide soon. If you manage to sign the deal with Lucas Davis, then your mother will let you support your long-lost children," she reminded him, pretending to care for his children."I know that, Cindy!" William snapped, his patience wearing thin. "But
He can't help but chuckle bitterly. Now, he finally understood. His mother and Harper Davis have the same evil personality.They would do everything just for their gain. They're just both evil."You hate Harper, but you aren't aware that you're just the same as her, mom.”"How dare you compare me to that woman?!" she seethed, her voice sharp with indignation. "I would never stoop to her level!"His own frustration bubbling to the surface. "You're both willing to manipulate and use anyone, even your own family, to get what you want. How is that any different? You may not see it, but your actions speak otherwise. Using my children as pawns in your games is just as ruthless as anything Harper Davis would do!”His mother's eyes flashed with fury. "I've only ever wanted what's best for you and your children! How can you accuse me of such things? Why can’t you understand me, huh? Are we going to fight forever, William?”"Because it's true, mom! You blackmailed me, you used my children as le
They left the meeting room and went inside the elevator. After the doors closed, the tension among them was palpable. His mother's face was flushed with anger, and his wife's expression was a mix of frustration and disappointment."William, this is madness! How could you let this opportunity slip away? We could have had a deal with the Davis family!" his mother berated him, her voice echoing in the confined space.His wife chimed in, her tone sharp with accusation. "Yeah, I can't believe you! You had the chance to secure a partnership with one of the most influential families in the business world, and you just let it go!"He tried to defend his decision. "I couldn't agree to the deal without knowing all the details. I need to be sure it's the right move for our company."His mother scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "Details? What details? Lucas Davis offered us a golden opportunity, and you threw it away because of your stubbornness!""You never listen to anyone, do you?" Cindy looks ver
Lucas Davis entered the room with a casual swagger, his eyes flickering with a hint of amusement. He was well aware of the tension in the air, but it didn't seem to faze him in the slightest."Ohh, we have guests today! Mr. Reign, my apologies for the delay. Business calls, you know how it is," Lucas said with a dismissive wave of his hand, as if being late was a minor inconvenience.William felt a surge of irritation. "I understand that, Mr. Davis. However, being punctual is a sign of respect. It shows that you value the other person's time," he replied, his tone firm.Lucas chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Respect, Mr. Reign? In the world of business, respect is earned, not given. And I'm sure you'll agree, I've earned my fair share."He gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain his composure. He could feel his wife’s hand on his arm, a silent reminder to stay calm."I'm here to discuss a potential partnership between our companies, Mr. Davis. However, I must insist on professi
He can feel the tension in the room was palpable. Cindy and his mother were fidgeting in their seats, exchanging excited whispers, while he sat back, trying to remain composed."Why are you both so excited?" He asked again, his tone more insistent this time.His wife gave him an exasperated look. "Dear, are you stupid or what? Don't you understand? This meeting could change everything for us. The Davis family is a huge opportunity for our business," she explained, her eyes shining with anticipation."But what if it's not what we expect? What if it's a trap?" He countered, his skepticism evident.His mother chimed in, her voice stern. "William, stop being so negative. I’m sick and tired of you, son! We have to be optimistic about this. Besides, Lucas Davis is a brilliant businessman. We could learn a lot from him!”He sighed, knowing he wouldn't win this argument. He leaned back in his chair, resigned to the fact that he would have to go through with the meeting, whether he liked it or