Extra 25: Past and Present“You’re welcome, Sam...” he said as he sat across from her. “So, tell me, how have you been? What’s life been like for you?”“Well, I can’t complain. I have good days and bad days, like everyone,” she said, looking him in the eyes.“You’re right.”“And I can’t complain either because I have the life I always wanted.”“What do you mean?”“Well, I found a wonderful man to share my life with, and we’ve built a beautiful family together,” she said, carefully observing his reactions.“Oh...” Gabriel felt awful hearing this, not the answer he had hoped for.“And you? How have you been? What have you been up to?”“Well... I’m good... I focused on managing several department stores.”“Oh, that’s great.”“Yeah...” he said, grimacing.“And did you get married?”“Well... yes, but don’t worry. My marriage only lasted a year before I got divorced.”“Oh wow, I’m sorry to hear that.”“No need to be. Honestly, I think it was for the best.”“Oh yeah? Why’s tha
“No, Sam... don’t say that to me.”“Gabriel, I don’t hold any grudges or anything like that, but there will never be anything between us, and actually, after what just happened... I don’t think we can even remain friends.”“What? Why?”“Because you’re not here to be my friend. Besides, you scared my grandson not long ago.”“But about that kid... why do you care so much? I mean... he’s not your blood, and—”“So what? I’ve been his grandmother since he was born, and you’re in no position to judge me or tell me what I can or can’t do.”“Sam...”“It’s Samantha,” she corrected him. “And you know, it hurts to find out that you’re the one harming my family... When I agreed to this lunch, it was to ask you: why are you doing this?”“Wait, Samantha, don’t say or do something you’ll regret.”“I don’t regret anything because I’m going to defend my family with everything I have,” she said, looking him in the eyes. “So, I hope you stop bothering my family or face the consequences,” she sai
Extra 25: Not-So-Innocent Prank Part 1After that conversation, things started to change for the better.Gabriel followed his assistant’s advice. After paying off the last lawsuits, Gate Construction closed down. Just as it had appeared out of nowhere, it vanished just as suddenly.The only good thing to come out of Gabriel’s attacks was that it taught a valuable lesson, not just to the Coopers but also to other companies: to keep some emergency funds on hand.Gradually, life for the Cooper family began to return to normal, settling back into their work routines and caring for the children.As the years passed, the four siblings grew up amidst laughter, games, and studies, which filled their parents with pride.James continued with his ambition to study and become a great architect like his father. He made sure to spend time with him and his grandfather at the company. In his free time, he played with the twins or worked out, as he had started following an exercise routine.Eliz
Extra 25: Not-So-Innocent Prank Part 2The black-haired woman felt triumphant, believing she was proving to her father that she could get anything she wanted, no matter the obstacle in her way.Unfortunately for her, her luck ran out when she realized the company had two elevators: one that went to all the floors and was for all employees, and another one that was exclusive for reaching the CEO’s office. In other words, she wouldn’t be able to reach “her grandfather” because that special elevator required an access card.“Damn it…” she muttered.“Ma’am, are you okay?” a child’s voice called out from behind her.“Are you having trouble, ma’am?” another child’s voice followed.“Who are you calling ‘ma’am’?” That word made her frown. She was only twenty years old, so she quickly turned to confront them, only to be surprised when she found two little kids watching her intently.“We called you ma’am,” Michael said.“Because you are one. You look old,” Nicole added mockingly.The wo
“I want to see my grandfather, and you won’t stop me. I have every right to be here since I’m a Peterson too. I also want to ask Grandpa for a favor, and—”“Let me guess,” James interrupted her. “You want an Ice Sapphire? That new and expensive jewel from the latest company collection, the one you want to show off at your graduation or some school party to make everyone think you’re related to us and not just adopted.”“Jerk,” she spat through gritted teeth.“If that’s it, I’m sorry to tell you it’s not going to happen because all the pieces we created sold out when they launched two days ago,” Erika stated. “But if you’d like, I can put in an order for a Spring Sapphire from the Fine Fantasy collection. We still have a few pieces of that model left.”“Fantasy?” she repeated, frowning. “Are you crazy?” she complained before turning her head to look at her father. “Dad, you promised me a real, expensive jewel for my graduation.”“Yes… it’s clear you’ve raised your daughter well, Ro
Extra 26: Us and Them Part 1After saying goodbye to their grandfather, Howard, and their uncle, the young Coopers went to the mall to buy everything they needed for the beach.James was in charge of the money since he was the oldest sibling. Jayden had established the rule that they could have a credit card when they turned sixteen and would use it responsibly. After returning home, they would report any expenses.“Wow… I’m so jealous. I want to shop like that,” Michael said, watching his older brother enter some numbers on a little device and then take the purchases with them.“I’m just months away from having that privilege,” Elizabeth said happily.“But this is a responsibility, because, at the end of the day, money has to be managed wisely,” James said.“Didn’t you already pay with that magic money?” Nicole asked.“No, kids, those charges or payments are made by your parents at the end of the month,” Danielle explained.“Oh…”“That’s why Dad says we have to be responsible
Extra 26: Us and Them Part 2The next day, everything was ready for a week-long beach trip free of work, as it coincided with the companies' vacation time since the grandparents would handle everything important. All the big tasks were already done.“Kids, come down for breakfast,” Deborah called out, and soon everyone came down wearing their beach outfits.“Look, Mommy, it’s the dress Ellie made for me,” Nicole said, twirling around to show off her beautiful sunflower-patterned dress.“Wow… you look so pretty, and you even have matching ribbons,” Deborah said, noticing that the dress and her little girl’s hair accessories were made from the same fabric.“I used the leftover scraps to make them, and I also made a hairband,” Elizabeth said, helping her little sister with her hairstyle.“My little princess looks gorgeous like this,” Jayden said, picking up the little brunette.“And our first princess is so talented,” Deborah said, hugging Elizabeth.“So much love, so early in the
“Can I come with?” James asked, looking at his dad.“Of course, young man, but you’ll need to wake up early,” the man said as he placed the fish into a container.“Can I, Dad?”“Sure, I want to join that adventure too. It’ll be a special father-son moment.”“In that case, I’ll try to wake up early to take pictures of you when you come back with your catch,” Elizabeth said, already holding her camera.“Looks like we’re all going to have a lot of fun,” Deborah said.With that said, the first thing they did was help Jace and his assistants pick all the ripe fruit from the trees. The trees had been planted around the house at Samantha’s request because she loved their scent and thought it was great to have fresh citrus fruits at home to combat the heat of the day.The six of them enjoyed themselves, helping with the baskets full of fruit while Felix happily ran after them, and Chip was in the kitchen supervising the cooks as they prepared the food, though she was sometimes caught tr