“On the contrary, Mommy said that we should always learn a thing or two about our ancestry. In fact, Mommy is a fan of antiques. Otherwise, Mommy couldn't have come up with her unique designs of ‘Victorian-style antique jewelry’ back in Stoslo.”Nolan’s father chuckled. “Then, I would really love to meet your mommy one day.”Daisie felt triumphant as she had finally gotten her grandpa’s attention on Mommy!Nolan glanced at Waylon, who was standing beside him. The little boy raised his hand and wiped his cheek, then he turned around and gave Nolan a seemingly unfriendly glare.Unexpectedly, the boy’s glare reminded Nolan of someone else.“The last time I saw you, you had a mole on the corner of your eye.”Waylon rubbed the corner of his eye and said defensively, “I drew that on.”“Grandpa, you lost!” Daisie giggled happily.Little did she know, the old man had let her win. Seeing the little girl laugh so gleefully, he somehow found himself laughing along with her. Perhaps he was
Maisie chewed her pen and thought for a long time, but she was stuck in an inspiration drought…“Zee.”Seeing Willow appear outside her door, Maisie put her pen down. “There’s no one around. You can drop the mushiness. It’s nauseating.”If this was any other day, Willow would have retorted with a scathing remark. Today, however, she managed to converse in a calm and collected manner. “I’m not here to start a fight. I’m well aware that you’re far more adept in matters of business.” Willow placed the documents she was holding on the table. “I’m sure you know the conundrum Vaenna is currently facing. It just so happens that there’s a client who’s willing to provide us with an advertising platform. Could you come with me and discuss the contract terms tonight?Maisie picked up the contract folder, skimmed through the pages, then smirked. “Sure, I’ll go with you.”“I’ll see you tonight then.” As Willow turned to leave, her eyes flickered with coldness. Maisie picked up the folder
Sergio smiled and nodded. “That is correct. Knowing that Miss Vanderbilt had returned to Vaenna Jewelry, I was hoping for a chance to collaborate, with you, specifically.”Willow sneered mockingly. Sergio Baldwin was 49 years old and turning 50. The son he had with his ex-wife had only just turned 18. Rumour had it that he never learned to keep it in his pants and had one too many women on the side. Eventually, his ex-wife had snapped and asked for a divorce.Sergio had met Maisie during Stephen’s birthday banquet a few years back, and since then, he could not get her off of his mind. He would even ask Willow about her every now then. Because of that, Willow had Maisie drugged the last time just to give Mr. Baldwin a chance to bag her. It was a pity he had let that opportunity slide.“Because of me?” Maisie chortled. “Mr. Baldwin, hearing you say that flatters me.” “Zee, Mr. Baldwin admires your talent,” explained Willow while she poured Mr. Baldwin a glass of wine and handed it t
Sergio was never planning to let either one of the Vanderbilt daughters get away tonight. He could just wait until the other one came back, then ravage the both of them! Willow struggled for a little while before the fast-acting drug took effect. Her body went limp. Too weak to move, her still body leaned against him.Sergio pinned her down. “Come to daddy.”In the ladies’ washroom…Maisie knelt in front of the toilet. Holding her throat, she puked out every last bit of the juice. She stood up slowly by supporting her hands on the wall.“D*mn it, both of the juices were spiked!”Not only was Sergio out to get her, but he was also targeting Willow!Hah! Willow had wanted to set her up. But no way in hell was Maisie going to just sit there and be played. Willow could have a taste of her own medicine, all by herself!Maisie washed her face. Feeling slightly sober, she got out of that hellhole as fast as she could. Standing by the road, Maisie tried to hail a cab, but all the
Nolan never knew this woman could look so serene and gentle asleep.He glanced at the bite marks on her fingers. Was it because she was drugged and had to resort to such methods just to keep herself awake? How did someone as sharp-witted as her end up being preyed on?If he had not run into her tonight, or worse still, if she had not escaped, then she would have…Maisie’s brows suddenly scrunched up, and her lashes trembled. It seemed like she was having a nightmare.“No!”Hearing her scream, Nolan leaned closer to her. “Maisie?”In her dream, Maisie yet again saw the man ravaging her that fateful night six years ago, but this time the man was faceless…Maisie opened her eyes. She was frightened by the magnified face before her eyes, so she lifted her hand instinctively. “Ahhh!”“Mr. Goldmann, is everything okay…” Hearing the commotion inside, Quincy barged in through the door. The moment he walked in, he saw a swollen red slap mark on Nolan’s cheek. He quickly turned to leave,
The next day—in the conference room of Blackgold headquarters.The process of this serious meeting was equivalent to 30 minutes of torture for those in the room, especially since a gloomy aura was permeating from the person sitting in the center seat, which made the executives on both sides quiver.Nolan’s head was not in the meeting at all. Instead, it was occupied with a certain cursed woman from last night. Just because he had had a lewd dream all night long, as if he were possessed, all he could see was that woman’s face. He must be going insane.When the meeting finally ended, Nolan returned to his office with his jaw clenched. Holding a bunch of documents, Quincy walked in. “Mr. Goldmann, you’re back from the meeting.”“Yeah.” Nolan sat back in his chair impetuously. “We’re going swimming tonight.”Quincy paused midway while flipping through the documents in his hands and looked up. “What? Why the sudden urge to swim?”Nolan hesitated before looking up with a straight fac
Maisie walked out and shut the door to Willow’s office.Looking at the document Willow had signed, Maisie smirked. Dealing with simpletons was so mundane.Just then, a call from Ryleigh came through.Maise walked toward the stairs before she picked up the call.“Zee, could you come with me to my Uncle Boucher’s birthday party tonight? I told my dad that I would bring the infamous designer, Zora. He’s been wanting to meet you since forever!”Hearing how excited Ryleigh was, Maisie answered reluctantly, “But I don’t even know the Bouchers…”“But I do! Since you’re back in the country, you should get to know more people. Who knows? You might even meet your soulmate tonight!”“I’m a mother of three kids. What soulmate?” Maisie sighed.“Aww, Zee! Come on! Say you’ll go?”She could never win against Ryleigh. Thus, Maisie had no choice but to accompany her best friend.*****Mr. Boucher’s birthday banquet was held at the Regal Ballroom. The Bouchers were the real nobility here in t
At that moment, two men stood above the stairwell.Leaning against one arm and holding a wine glass in the other, the man in the navy blue suit lowered his gaze onto the mesmerizing silhouette amidst the crowd. He turned to look at Nolan. Lifting up his wrist, he glanced at his watch. Nolan had been staring at the woman for over ten minutes.“That woman does look rather beautiful.”“Mm,” Nolan answered faintly.He had noticed her as soon as she walked in. Whenever the woman moved in the crowd, the gaze of every man around her followed, eyes burning with lust. Without needing any feigned effort to charm or be flirtatious, her just standing there was enough to keep all eyes on her.Helios Boucher looked at him with a glimpse of surprise. “How rare of you to actually find a woman attractive!” For all the years he had known Nolan, never had he heard the man agree out loud to a woman being beautiful. Not even Willow, who was always by his side.Nolan finally looked away. He finished