"Who do we have here?" Rafael stepped into June's face, eyes searching. "I didn't think I'd see you so soon." June was in a poor mood. When she saw Rafael and the lawyer who submitted a petition for Clarence to be let go on bail, her anger shot up. "You did this?" The incredulousness in her tone could not be mistaken. Rafael held his tongue. "You want her to be set free after what she did? How cruel can you be?!" June took no prisoners as she washed him with her words. "Sheila is a human too! She is someone's loved one! Someone's child! How would you feel if someone you loved got into an accident and the culprit was set free?" Lucy held June's hand, hoping to calm her down but it didn't work. June stepped out of her reach and into Rafael's face. "I will not let this happen, Rafael. I suggest you sit this one out. It's not a good look at your already battered reputation." Rafael smirked. "Bold of you to speak about one's reputation." He said. "Clarence is pregnant." June felt lik
The young lady's facade broke at the mention of her sister's name. "What?" She tried to recover her facial expression. "Who are you talking about? I don't know what you are talking about."It was clear that she still tried to cover for her sister despite her situation. Sheila was wrong, the lady before her would do anything to protect her. She knew that bit from the little interaction she had with her. June drew closer and whispered. "I am here to help. Sheila told me everything and she wanted to set you free."Sharon had not heard from her sister in a long time and couldn't believe it. There was no way her twin sister was in contact with anyone from the Rivera family. They ruined their lives. "I don't know what you are talking about, Miss." She was steadfast in her words. The last thing she needed was to give away their plan to the enemy, or worse, get her sister into prison for her crimes. Sharon believed that Sheila would always have a better chance of getting out of prison wit
June worked with the detective overseeing April's case. They met at the house to discuss how to bring her sister to trial."Do you know of any secret fund or place she could be hiding?" The detective asked Evelyn who carefully answered after much thought. "April always had a mind of her own." She said, "No one could tell what ran through that mind or what assets she got while in power." "She kicked me to the curbs as soon as she became the CEO of Rivera and Lontoc companies. Prior to that, she only owned the properties assigned to her by me from the Rivera Shares."June shared a look with the detective. "If April is as smart as I imagined, she will have some secret stash and property somewhere," June explained. "Seeing she is on the run, it would be her first port of call."The detective agreed. "We will look into the properties acquired by her or the companies while she was CEO." He stood up, and June joined him on her feet. "I will reach out to you if we find anything more." June
June walked out of the salon with a confused look on her face. Unknown to her, she was being targeted by some gunmen who stood at a high range distance with their guns set and ready to fire. June cautiously headed to her car and got into the driving seat. She placed the bag in her camisole and started her journey.She made a U-turn, and in the next two seconds, sirens blared in the air. The sound of the sirens was so loud that she was forced to pull over. Suddenly, she felt her tyre deflate and before she could figure out the reason for the sudden flat tyre, a gunshot hit her window glass - Forcing it to explode into a million chards. June ducked as more shots fired in the air. The entire environment was noisy and people rushed into their homes, trying to take cover. June held on to the brown bag, refusing to let go no matter the cost. She felt a graze of pain in her head and her heartbeat increased to an all-time high. She remained in her car until the rain of bullets shattered
The next morning came and they all sat in a round table. June, Liam, Lucy and Mrs Evelyn. Everyone wore a sober expression as June spoke. "I need to know what's going on, Liam. What happened yesterday?""You need to be more careful. No more walking around carelessly, work from home if you must. My men will be around to guard the house until I sort out this mess." Liam fired off, and it only aggravated June's anger. "I didn't ask you to order me around." She gritted. "This is my home. You don't come in here and throw orders or get thrown out. Capiche?" Liam smirked, and Lucy swooned. June wore a blank look. "What the hell happened yesterday, Liam." June asked, "Who are those people? What do they want from me? Why did I get a bomb attached to my car?"Evelyn nearly had a heart attack. "B-Bomb?""Darn it," June swore under her breath. "Can you speak already?" Liam looked around the table with raised brows. As if to say - In front of them?"You better get talking mister," June answer
June visited Clarence in prison the next day. "What? Have you gotten back together with Rafael now that he knows it's not his child? Have you come here to gloat?" Clarence gritted as soon as she sat down. June pretended like she was not shocked by her words. "You weren't pregnant for him. Why would you pin him with a child that isn't his?" "What right do you have to sit there and judge me?!" She roared. "Don't act like you are a saint! You only got with Rafael for money!""I loved him. I loved my late sister's husband enough to kill her!" Clarence was a mad woman. "And yet, he couldn't see me. He looked at you like you were his world and what? You couldn't even wait one second to know why he was divorcing you!""You left him and hopped onto the next man's bed! Don't think I didn't see you coming out of that room, June. I saw you clearly with another man! What right do you have to come here and gloat when you were fucking another man while Rafael was struggling with cancer?!" June
"Why would you even do that?" Lucy was confused by June's actions. "You are not even with Liam!" "Says who?" June walked into her home office with Lucy behind her. "Who says I'm not getting together with him?" Lucy couldn't believe her ears. "I know that Mr Ambrose was wrong. He shouldn't have hidden the truth from you or gotten into that situation with Clarence. But I promise, if you take a critical look at it, he didn't mean you harm." After June's display, Rafael left the house and everyone dispersed. It was clear June wasn't in the right head space to be reasoned with. However, Evelyn remained and spoke to her daughter. After a good thirty-minute talk, June was up to date on the happenings with Rafael while she was gone. She finally understood her family but her stance remained the same. "I want a man that can trust me with anything. Not a man that would kick me aside at the slightest road bump." June declared. "I don't want to speak about this anymore, so drop it."Lucy heav
June and her mother visited the old Rivera house the next day. It was her late father's birthday, and Evelyn packed home-cooked meals in the trunk. Liam was supposed to join them on the trip but he didn't. saying he would come by later. However, he sent some of his men to accompany them. The car stopped in front of the old Rivera house. One look at it and it was covered with dust. Evelyn felt her heart prick at the sight. She stepped out of the car and stood in front of the gates. June killed her engine and joined her mother by the gates. As she stared at the old house, She remembered how desperately she wanted to leave. June felt the old memories of how poorly she was treated at the Old Rivera House before marrying Ethan. Evelyn noticed something off at the building. She had spent most of her life in this home and trained all her staff against leaving the windows open. Her heart was uncomfortable when she saw her bedroom window dusty and open. "I need to go inside." She announc
Lucy sat in the hotel room, dressed in her blue dress and texting Liam for an answer. When her phone finally rang and Liam displayed on the screen, she excused herself, and stepped out of the room. "I've been texting you for the past thirty minutes!" Lucy whisper-yelled as soon as the line connected. "What's going on? The mother's have been blowing my phone and I think June is already suspecting me.""You can leave the hotel. I arranged a car to take you both to the venue. It's a white limo." Liam said, expertly avoiding Lucy's question. "You still haven't told me what's going on! I deserve to-" Two beeps and the call disconnected. Liam hung up on her. Lucy gritted her teeth, trying to control her anger. She couldn't mess things up. Not today. She would handle him later. Summoning a smile, Lucy returned to the hotel room."We need to leave. Our ride is here." She said and June squinted, raising her head from the document she studied for the past several minutes. "Ride?"Lucy's ey
June sat in her office chair when Lucy hurriedly entered her room. "We have to leave!" She said with urgency in her tone.June blinked in confusion. "Why? Is there a problem?""Yes! The president is coming to visit the South City project site with some key investors.""The president has requested you to take them on a tour on site. We don't have much time." June got on her feet, gathering her phone and some other essentials, alongside the project blueprints. "How long do we have?" She asked. "Three hours." Lucy said, "According to the news, you are to get something with the investors before heading to the site.""The president has assigned our makeovers. We need to leave immediately." "Makeovers?" June asked with a frown. "Why would we need makeovers?""We don't have time. I'll explain on the way." Just like that Lucy dragged June out of the office for a makeover. They arrived at a hotel just close to the airport and while June tried to gather her thoughts, the hired team of pro
April got into her hotel room dressed like a man. Her eyes were narrowed in anger as she threw down a lamp from the bedside table. "A surprise wedding, huh?" She gritted, blood burning with anger. "I'll give them a wedding to remember!" April flew into South City in disguise for a secret mission for the Cordel family. After seeing the press around her sister and Rafael's survival as well as her mother taking over the Lontoc and Rivera companies, she sought for an opportunity to come into South City and when the opportunity presented itself, she took it with both hands. However, due to her condition as a wanted person she couldn't go about freely for fear of getting caught as a dupe. The first few days, she spent carrying out her business with her colleagues until she had some free time. She decided to find out what her silly sister was up to and stalked her house only to find out she had long packed away. Apparently, June was living a comfortable life as the wife of Rafael while s
"You are going to be an older brother." June said to a young Luis during dinner a few weeks later. The entire family gathered for a small dinner. Evelyn, Lucy, and Carson were present alongside Mrs Beatrice who celebrated the wonderful news. "I'll be a grandmother!" Mrs Evelyn cried, "I'm so happy for you, my child."The evening was a cozy one as they all congratulated the couple on the news. "You are finally getting all the good things you deserve." Lucy said, "I'm so happy for you."The night was not over as June decided to add another joyful news to the equation. It was her mother's wedding anniversary and she hoped to brighten the day with some good news for Mrs Evelyn. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate with me." June said in a speech, "I want to use this medium to appreciate everyone for your intense support."She turned to Mrs Evelyn. "You've been the best mother to me, helping me through the hardest part of my life.""Child...""I just want to thank you. I am in a hap
The next few months were a slow recovery for Mrs Beatrice with the support and love of her family. With the constant reassurance and love of Rafael, and the entire family, she was gradually becoming stronger which was good news for the extended family who were finally in unity. Rafael returned to work and in a matter of three months, Ambrose Corporation was able to make a startling profit of over seven hundred billion, quickly retaking their position as one of the top corporations in the world. June was not left to the side, JL Architectures were making waves with the new South City project up and running and the public support. June and Rafael made their relationship public, garnering the support of the masses who followed, adored and loved the powerful couple. The news raved about how they survived the ghastly accident, their journey as a couple and their unconditional love for each other. Everything progressed well and on Luis's birthday, his parents and family showered him w
June woke up to soft kisses from Rafael who lay beside her. She smiled in her sleep as she blinked awake."Rafe-" She swooned, palming his face with a Loving gaze. "Hey, Wifey." He mused, "Good morning."Rafael proceeded to lavish kisses on her face, going in for her lips but she tactically avoided him. "I need to brush my teeth!" She said when he continued trying to kiss her on the lips. "I don't care-" Rafael mused. "Now let me kiss you." He demanded softly and she shook her head. The next second, June slipped away from the bed, successfully evading his kisses and giggling when her husband wore a duped expression. "I promise you can kiss me for as long as you want," she said, "Right after I freshen up." June hopped into the shower after taking care of her business, and halfway through it, the door opened and Rafael joined her inside. "Rafe-" June's eyes widened when she saw him walk in naked with his hard member in full display. "I'm only trying to freshen up too," Rafael mu
Liam returned to the Fernando estate and went to the dungeons where Lydia Cordel, the wife of the Late Andre Cordel was being held. "I was wondering when I'd finally see you," Lydia said as soon as she saw him at her gate. "I thought we were partners?""Do not forget your position, woman." Liam's voice was cold and aloof as he took on the aura of the cold mafia don he was. "Your life is a gift that could be taken at any time. You are advised to treasure it well." "If you wanted me dead I should be dead by now," Lydia said purposefully. "And I'm not dead.""Yet." Liam finished in a gritty tone. One of his men brought him a seat and he sat right in front of Lydia's cell, which was better than most since it had a bed and she received health care. "Tell me the truth and I might consider letting you keep your gift of life." He pulled off his black shades. "Did you or did you not kill your husband?""I did." She answered without skipping a beat. "And why would you do that?""Because he
June and Rafael spent their days together. It was like an unofficial vacation and honeymoon. Rafael made good progress on his health with June around to love and supervise him. Everything felt surreal for the love birds who had been apart for so long. One day, the doctor came in with good news, stating that Rafael was ready to leave the hospital, and scheduling him on weekly appointments to monitor his progress. June could barely hide her happy tears. It felt like everything was falling right into place. Although Rafael's legs were not strong, they were on the right path and she believed that in due time, he would learn to use his legs again. "I want to be discharged today," Rafael told the doctor, interlacing his fingers with June who sat by his bed smiling happily. "I can't spend a day more in this hospital." June laughed at the desperation in Rafael's voice. It's been a few rough weeks since she moved into the hospital with Rafael constantly trying to make love to her. They h
It was the early hours of the day and June was fast asleep when her phone started ringing. Having slept in from her busy night, she silenced the call and turned over, hoping to get some extra sleep before returning to Rafael's mansion. The phone started ringing again, disturbing not just her but Luis who turned in his sleep, disturbed by the noise. This time, June silenced the call, got up from bed, and headed out the balcony to answer the call. The phone stopped ringing before she could pick up and started ringing within a few seconds. It was Carson."You better have a good reason for calling me this early in the morning," June said once the call was connected, irritated from having her sleep disturbed. The line was flat. She could hear breathing but there was nothing. She removed the phone from her ears and checked if it was still active."Hello?" June said when she was certain the call was still connected. "Good morning, wifey." June stiffened upon hearing a gruff masculine