Who do you think it was?
✧ADAM MEADOWS✧THE anger surging through me was almost unbearable as Rogel drove us to Aunt Cassandra's house. I could feel it deep in my bones, my entire body trembling with rage. Right now, I felt like I could explode at any moment."Are you absolutely sure about this?" Rogel asked, his voice steady yet laced with concern. He's no longer working at the Crystal Empire; he resigned and now he's here with me. There's no need for him to stay there, especially now that we know who the real mastermind is.I nodded, my clenched fist tightening under my chin as my elbow rested against the car window beside me. "I've waited years for this, Rogel. Years of studying and preparing for my revenge. Damn it. If I had known the person behind my family's disappearance was within reach, I would have acted long ago."Rogel was silent, his eyes on the road, but I could feel his support and worry. He had been with me through every step of this journey, and he understood the weight of what I was about to
✧ADAM MEADOWS✧I kept my gaze on Jazz on the screen, every instinct screaming at me to help her. My heart ached seeing her in such a state, especially with the fresh cut on her arm, still bleeding.“What have you done to her?” I demanded, keeping my voice steady, my gun aimed at Cassandra."Consider her a small piece of leverage, Adam," she replied, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. “You see, you’re not the only one who can play dirty. Now, put the gun down, and we can talk like civilized people. All I want is simple. Return what you took from the vault, transfer the Meadows Group to my name, and resign from the company. Do that, and I’ll give you Jazzlene. An even trade. And remember, Adam, every move you make will determine Jazz’s fate.”I felt trapped, my mind racing to find a way out of this nightmare. Jazz’s terrified eyes met mine on the screen, and I knew I couldn’t let anything happen to her. But I also couldn’t let this woman manipulate me again.I shifted my gaze to her
ADAM MEADOWS"Rogel?" I called out from behind, and he immediately stepped closer to me. "Get the jewelry and gold from the car."He obeyed without hesitation, leaving the office we were in. When he returned, he was holding the black bag where we had stored the jewelry and gold. He handed it to me.With the bag in hand, I approached Cassandra, who was now smirking as if she had already won. I offered her the bag, but just as she grabbed it and started to pull it away from me, I pulled it back."Give me the location first."Her brow furrowed slightly. "Location?""Jazzlene," I continued.Her grin widened at my words. "See? You can't fool me, Adam. I know you'll do anything for that woman. But don't take me for a fool either. There's still some time before the pool fills up. You have enough time to transfer the Meadows Group to my name. Once you do that, only then will you find out where Jazzlene is." She snatched the bag from me. "Two hours, Adam. That's all it takes for the pool to fi
✧ADAM MEADOWS✧ROGEL and I stood a safe distance away, watching the proud brick unfinished house burn until it came time to contain it before it spread out of control. The house sat on acres of private property in countryside, and no one would know about the fire until hours, if not days, later. Not unless I told them. Perfect.But I knew that eventually, someone would discover this burned house. It would be a tragic tale of a cheating wife, where a lover's discarded cigarette started the fire.For now, I simply stood and watched as the flames consumed the corpses of Cassandra, Daniel, and my past, until there was nothing left. This was where my quest for revenge ended.Once the house was reduced to ashes, Rogel and I left the scene. Even in the car, we discussed the steps he needed to take to make it appear as though Cassandra’s lover was the one who perished with her in the fire.I didn’t know when I’d be able to forgive Uncle Win for all his lies. Maybe not today, but I knew it wou
FIVE MONTHS LATER.✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿I’m sitting in front of my laptop, with a hot chocolate beside me, finishing up my CV. Among my friends, I’m the only one who hasn’t applied for a job yet since we graduated last month. I took a one-month break before starting my job search because the stress we went through to get to the stage, especially with our thesis, was no joke. Thankfully, by God’s grace, we managed to pass it.Leigh has already been accepted for an online interview she applied for in Australia. Meanwhile, Violet doesn’t need to look for a job since she already has her own business.That liar. We just found out that she’s actually the daughter of a businessman, Jake Crystal. It never occurred to us because she seemed so down-to-earth. She even introduced herself to us as an orphan, living with only her grandparents who supported her. But our deceitful friend, who pretended to be poor, is actually wealthier than Camille. If her parents hadn’t attended our graduation, we wouldn’
✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿My body tensed as I sat in the chair opposite Adam's desk. He stared at me, holding the CV I handed him earlier when he asked for it."You're the owner of M-Power Hotel?" I asked quietly, still in disbelief. It only now dawned on me that the 'M' in M-Power stood for Meadows."Yep," he replied curtly.I couldn't help but recall my internship days at his hotel. When I remembered Sasha getting fired, I looked up at him again. "Sasha? Were you the one who—""This is supposed to be your interview, so why are you asking me questions?" His cold tone left me speechless. Five months had passed, yet he hadn't changed. He was still the same distant Adam I once knew.I swallowed hard. "I’m sorry. Uhm, okay. Let’s proceed with the interview," I said, trying my best to stay professional.He adjusted his posture, leaned back in his chair, and placed my CV on the table, his eyes still fixed on me. "How have you been?" he asked, his tone now gentler."Excuse me? I thought we were starti
✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿"From Adam again?" my brother asked with a furrowed brow as he saw me in the living room, carefully arranging crystal flowers in a transparent glass vase."Yeah. That’s the thirtieth one the guard handed me this morning, one for each day. I think he won’t stop until we patch things up.""Are you two meeting in secret at the hotel? You’re both in for it if I find out."I sighed. "We’re not meeting, you paranoid. Adam rarely drops by the hotel. From what I’ve heard from Sir Mikko, he only visits twice a week. He’s more often at Meadows Group.""Good. Because if I find out you're entertaining that jerk, I’ll tie the two of you together."It’s been a month since I started working as a receptionist at M-Power Hotel. I knew Adam was serious when he said he'd give me the position I wanted, but I’m not the type to take advantage. So, I spoke to Sir Mikko and told him I’d apply for the receptionist role. Instead of backing out, I seized the opportunity so I wouldn’t have to stru
✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿“Why haven't you forgiven him yet if things are already fine between him and your parents?” Camille remarked.We were seated at a table, with Violet and I attending the university’s annual alumni charity gala—an event I had accompanied Mom and Dad to last year. This time, it was held at the M-Power Hotel. As official alumni now, we were also invited. The only one missing was Leigh, who’s currently in Australia for work. Despite the distance, we still manage to catch up through video calls whenever we all have time."How many months has he been trying to win you back?" Violet asked, taking a sip of her wine. I couldn't help but notice the men stealing glances at our table. In the past, it was me who drew their attention, but now it's Violet, especially since many here know she’s the daughter of the renowned businessman Jake Crystal. Several men had already approached our table, asking Violet to dance, but I turned them down on her behalf, remembering what Adam once said
Special Chapter Six – Last PartA month later . . .✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿It has been a week since Adam and I got married. Our wedding wasn’t grand; it was a private ceremony, just as we both wanted for the tranquility of our lives. Only family and close friends were witnesses to our union, including his Uncle Win. Although Adam was initially hesitant to invite him, I insisted because, no matter what, he is still Adam’s biological father. After the wedding, Uncle Win returned to Canada.As for my friends, only Leigh couldn’t attend because her vacation leave wasn’t approved. But I understand, as she is new in her job in Australia. She promised to make it up to me once she returns.So far, everything has been going well. Even though the news of our marriage has made it to the media and the internet, the public still doesn’t know that I am Adam’s wife. He personally ensured that no media outlet could publish our pictures, especially mine. Additionally, all hotel employees who knew about us had
Special Chapter Five✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿"ARE you sure? Why? Is there a problem with the hotel?" Brianna asked with a note of concern when I mentioned my plan to resign. It was just a plan, not a certainty yet.I gave a faint smile. “No, no problem. Just, uh, personal issues,” I replied, hoping she wouldn’t press further. It seemed she noticed my reluctance to elaborate and didn’t pry any deeper.At lunch break, I received a message from Adam asking me to come to his office to join him for a meal since he was at the hotel. As usual, I made my way there discreetly. I pretended I had a task from Sir Mikko, since people here still didn’t know about our relationship.When I arrived at his office, I found him already settled on the sofa in the center of the room. He had also set up the food on the glass table where we always ate when I was here.“How’s my princess doing today?” he greeted me with a broad smile as he turned in my direction. Before I could get closer, he stood up from his seat an
Special Chapter Four ✧ADAM MEADOWS✧“Baby, what are you doing?” I asked Jazz as I lay on the kitchen counter, my hands tied with her bra, completely naked.Jazzlene was rummaging through the fridge, her bare feet making soft padding sounds against the cool kitchen tiles. She was focused, her eyes scanning the shelves with determination. She wore nothing below the waist, just the shirt that matched her pajamas, its hem barely covering her hips, with no panties since I had taken them off earlier in the bedroom.Jazzlene’s movements were swift but purposeful, clearly on a mission. I had no idea what she was looking for in the fridge. We had just started foreplay when she brought me here and declared she was in charge. I wasn’t sure what her plan was, but I was nervous with my hands tied.She shifted aside a carton of milk, then some leftover takeout containers, all the while muttering softly to herself. Finally, her eyes lit up as she spotted what she was looking for—a can of whipping c
Special Chapter Three✧ADAM MEADOWS✧I thought I’d finally have Jazz all to myself for an entire week once her parents headed off to Hawaii. But just as I was planning to take her back to my penthouse, her obnoxious older brother decided to show up, claiming his flight was delayed by a day. So now, here I am, stuck in their house.I’m sitting in the dining room, watching as Jazz prepares dinner. Zane and I are seated across from each other at the counter, locked in a silent standoff. His arms are crossed, and every so often, he shakes his head and lets out a low chuckle, like he’s trying to get under my skin.“Something amusing?” I shot him a glare, the tension between us palpable. We were never like this before Jazz and I started dating, but I get it—he still can’t fully accept me.I couldn’t help but recall the serious conversation we had last month after we shoved each other into their backyard pool.[FLASHBACK]Zane was leaning against the porch railing, his eyes narrowing as he lo
Special Chapter Two✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿THE CITY lights shimmered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Adam's penthouse bedroom, casting a gentle glow over the plush surroundings. The air was warm and heavy with the scent of passion as we lay intertwined on his bed, our bodies still humming with the echoes of our intimacy. Nestled in his arms, under the soft blanket, I felt an overwhelming sense of closeness and contentment."I'm embarrassed to go home tomorrow. Mom and Dad will definitely suspect something," I murmured. Earlier, I texted my mom saying I'd be late coming home because there was an event at the hotel and I had to work overtime. But after my first round with Adam tonight, he told me he couldn't let me go home just yet—he wanted to spend more time with me. So, I was forced to message my mom again, telling her I'd be staying overnight at the hotel. "You know how parents are—they have the weirdest sixth sense.""Then don't bother going home. Stay in my penthouse instead. I'll
Special Chapter One✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿"Crystal flower number two hundred thirty-one," I whispered softly, a smile forming as I admired the delicate crystal rose Adam handed me after I got into his car. He was waiting for me in the parking lot of M-Power Hotel, arriving slightly ahead of me to avoid being seen leaving together by the staff.“Do you want me to stop giving you flowers?” he asked, leaning in for a quick kiss, a playful smile on his lips.“No, not yet. Stop when we reach a thousand.” I giggled. Ever since he returned from Singapore, he's resumed his habit of giving me crystal flowers. The last count was two hundred ten before he left, and the collection has grown quite a bit since then.“So, where to now? Your place or mine?” he grinned at me.“Your place. Meadows Tower. I miss lounging in your penthouse,” I smiled back.“All right. Let’s go.”It's been a month since Adam officially started courting me after getting permission from Mom, Dad, and even Zane. Despite still holdi
Epilogue Five months later. ✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿“HAPPY anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Hart.”That’s all I hear here at the banquet. Today is Mom and Dad’s 30th wedding anniversary, and the celebration is being held at M-Power Hotel. My brother, Zane, organized this surprise party for them and covered all the expenses himself. He didn’t ask me for a contribution since he earns more than me. However, he still doesn’t know I have the five million dollars Adam gave me.Speaking of Adam, it’s been twelve months since he started pursuing me. Exactly a year today, and it’s been five months since he left for Singapore.Yes, it’s been five months with no contact between us. Whenever I ask my brother about Adam, he can’t give me any answers because Adam’s friends haven’t replied to the group chat. Plus, all of Adam’s social media accounts are deactivated, so he can’t be reached through private messages either.The event continued until it was time for us to give our messages to our parents. I went first
✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿“Why haven't you forgiven him yet if things are already fine between him and your parents?” Camille remarked.We were seated at a table, with Violet and I attending the university’s annual alumni charity gala—an event I had accompanied Mom and Dad to last year. This time, it was held at the M-Power Hotel. As official alumni now, we were also invited. The only one missing was Leigh, who’s currently in Australia for work. Despite the distance, we still manage to catch up through video calls whenever we all have time."How many months has he been trying to win you back?" Violet asked, taking a sip of her wine. I couldn't help but notice the men stealing glances at our table. In the past, it was me who drew their attention, but now it's Violet, especially since many here know she’s the daughter of the renowned businessman Jake Crystal. Several men had already approached our table, asking Violet to dance, but I turned them down on her behalf, remembering what Adam once said
✿♡ JAZZLENE ♡✿"From Adam again?" my brother asked with a furrowed brow as he saw me in the living room, carefully arranging crystal flowers in a transparent glass vase."Yeah. That’s the thirtieth one the guard handed me this morning, one for each day. I think he won’t stop until we patch things up.""Are you two meeting in secret at the hotel? You’re both in for it if I find out."I sighed. "We’re not meeting, you paranoid. Adam rarely drops by the hotel. From what I’ve heard from Sir Mikko, he only visits twice a week. He’s more often at Meadows Group.""Good. Because if I find out you're entertaining that jerk, I’ll tie the two of you together."It’s been a month since I started working as a receptionist at M-Power Hotel. I knew Adam was serious when he said he'd give me the position I wanted, but I’m not the type to take advantage. So, I spoke to Sir Mikko and told him I’d apply for the receptionist role. Instead of backing out, I seized the opportunity so I wouldn’t have to stru