The sound of the apartment door opening got Emma's attention, and immediately, she left her books on the table, walked out of the living room, and met Zane in the hallway.“Hey,” She said softly, “You're back early. How was your first day of work?”Smiling weakly at her, Zane pulled his coat off his shoulder as he said, “I got off work early to pick you up from school, so we can have lunch together, but then a reckless driver almost ran into Yoko and me-”“Oh, my... are you alright?” Emma asked worriedly, placing her hand on Zane's cheek.“Yeah. We were able to jump out of the vehicle's way.” “Thank God,” Taking Zane's coat from his hand, she held onto it as she said, “Do you want me to make something for you to eat?”The tender look of concern in her eyes Made Zane smile softly and then grabbed her by her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder, inhaling deeply, “When I saw my life flash before my eyes, you were the part of it that I knew I was going to miss the most if something
After Cyrus had left, Mr. Briggs turned to face Zane and then said half-heartedly, “What is it?” “Hit-and-run, seriously?” Zane mumbled, trying to see if he was being hunted by an old enemy or a new one. “Is this how low you have become?”“What are you talking about?”“I am talking about how you hired someone to run over me today, in the parking lot of Golden Key’s.” The dumbfounded look on Mr. Briggs's face was so raw that Zane could tell that he wasn't faking his confusion, and yet, he still couldn't trust his gut.“I never did anything of what you claim.” Mr. Briggs finally said. “Believe it or not, but the last thing I want is your death.”A silent laugh escaped Zane’s lips as he looked at Mr. Briggs, his veins popping on his neck as he continued to chuckle hard without a sound.“Look into my eyes, boy,” Mr. Briggs said in a tone that made Zane take him seriously for the first time in a long time.When Zane locked eyes with him, Mr. Briggs continued, “Do you think Doctor Ben is
The hall grew quiet, and Zane could feel everyone's eyes on him like he was the main course of tonight, but his mind was disturbed by what Mr. Briggs said, and his only thought was, ‘What is the truth?’“Zane, we don’t have to play this stupid game with Cyrus. I can tell that something is bothering you, so can we please just go home?” Emma pleaded in a whisper, holding onto his arm, afraid for her husband’s reputation to get ruin. “Please, Zane.”The desperation in her voice made Zane snap out of his feelings and looked into her eyes, seeing the fear and worry that filled them. Since he hated seeing her like this, the urge to comfort her became too much for Zane to handle, and he gave her a small smile, saying, “Okay... Let’s leave.”“Mr. Grimes, are you not going to say something, or did you just accept my invitation for you and your wife to drink free wine and feel important without you thinking about donating?” Cyrus taunted him again.Taking one last look at the auctioneer, Zane t
Looking away from Cyrus, Zane leaned over to where Yoko was, and then Yoko whispered in his ear, saying, “The Hope Diamond is supposed to be in the National Museum of Natural History, which is not even in this country, but Northland, and according to the Museum website, it is on display right now. So-”“What he has there is fake,” Zane stated with a half-smirk.“Exactly.” “Well, look at that.”After those words, Zane looked back at Cyrus, and he had this look on his face that screamed, you-are-screw, and reading Zane's expression, Cyrus swallowed slowly, wondering what Yoko and Zane had discussed.He was not the only one wondering though, because of the sudden look of confidence in Zane’s eyes, Emma was quite curious to find out what Yoko and Zane had discussed.Meeting Cyrus’ eyes, Zane smirked and then said, “I will buy the necklace, but how sure am I about its authenticity? And what if this isn't the real blue diamond?”‘Fuck,’ Cyrus thought, even more, desperate to know the detai
The noise only grew louder from there on, but Zane trusted Yoko's information and when he met Cyrus' eyes, he said, “Well, Mr. Agreste, I guess, we both were wrong about each other. Since the jewel is the real thing, I will have your money ready to wire tomorrow and will be waiting to meet you with a jewel specialist then.”“Mr. Grimes, even though you are a newbie in the business circle, you are really a wise young man. I must say, I am impressed by your skills and knowledge. In fact, I admire what kind of business acumen you possess and have.” Cyrus suddenly praised with a big smile. The hall went cold after those words, everyone staring wide eyed at Cyrus, even Yoko and Zane. No one had seen this coming, especially Mr. Briggs. This was a turn of events that had never occurred before because Cyrus had never humbled himself for someone he had looked down on and a person that he considered lowered him, yet he just did so for Zane. Without a doubt, he knew who was in control and that
The moment Emma left for school, Zane and Yoko were on their way to Mr. Alfred's house, and Zane had his head resting on the back door windshield.Noticing his boss’s mood, Yoko stared at the rearview mirror for a while and then asked, “What’s on your mind, partner?”“Damion said that the only reason I am alive is that he is doing a favor to my mother... And I can't get his words out of my head.” Zane sighed deeply. The car grew silent since Yoko didn't seem inclined to talk anymore, not knowing what to say, and instead just focused on driving.The quietness between them stay that way until finally, Yoko stepped on the brakes and then said, “We are here, boss.”Slowly, Zane raised his head from the window and looked over at the mansion before unlocking the door and getting out of the car.A moment later, he and Yoko arrived in the dining room of the mansion, and Mr. Alfred raised his gaze from the newspaper. His eyebrows rose as soon as his eyes landed on Zane, and a smile appeared
The room was quiet as Mr. Briggs watched his wife and two brothers walk in on him, Jason was the first to speak after the door got shut closed, “We have been waiting to hear from you these past days, but you have been silent. Now that your plan with Cyrus for Zane has failed. What now?” For a while, Mr. Briggs didn’t say anything, instead, he let the tension build up between the four of them until eventually, he said something, “Which one of you went against my word?”Confused and annoyed by his lack of an answer, Deborah, Jason, and Austin stared at each other before glaring back at him, and then Deborah asked, “What are you talking about?”“Which one of you paid someone to run over Zane with a car?” Mr. Briggs asked, his expression still emotionless despite the accusation he made. The four immediately seemed pissed by his question and the fact that he looked irritated when he said those words made them even mad.“What are you talking about?” Austin asked, snapping his brows togethe
Rubbing the towel in her wet hair, Emma walked out of the bathroom to see Zane still laying under the covers, and a slight pout crossed her face. “Should I help you pick out something to wear for work?” Emma asked, walking over to the bed.Then she leaned over, staring at his closed lids, wondering how deep in sleep he was. But slowly Zane’s eyelids rose and looked up at her with half-open eyes.Allured by the sleepy expression on his face, Emma smiled and reached out to brush some hair off his forehead. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand, yanking her into the bed as she screamed, “Let me get dressed first.”But Zane just pulled her down on top of him, wrapping his arms around her, pressing a kiss against the side of her neck, and mumbling into her skin, “You have no class today, right?”Resting her face into his chest, Emma giggled, closing her eyes and letting Zane pull her close before she nodded, “No, I don’t.”“Good,” Zane whispered, nuzzling his nose against Emma’s temple.They lay
Dear Readers, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Your support for my novel has been nothing short of remarkable, and it fills my heart with joy to know that my words have found a place in your lives. Writing a book is a solo labor, but it's in the hands of readers like you that the magic truly happens. You have breathed life into the characters and explored the worlds I have created. It's your enthusiasm, your feedback, and your dedication that keep me inspired to continue writing. I'm humbled by the messages and reviews that you have shared, and I'm deeply touched by the personal connections many of you have made with the story. Your support is a writer's greatest motivation, and I can't thank you enough for being a part of this journey with me. For an author who struggled with their mental health from time to time, as I continue to write and create, please know that it's with you in mind, your support for authors like me is wh
~~~~~*Two years later*~~~~~The sun casts a warm glow through the large windows of Zane's office, creating a serene and inviting ambiance. For a while, Yoko sat nervously on the plush leather couch, his fingers fidgeting with the delicate box hidden in his pocket. Then he stole a glance at Zane, who was engrossed in a stack of paperwork on his desk. Summoning his courage, Yoko cleared his throat, capturing Zane's attention. Zane looked up, his eyes filled with curiosity. Yoko could feel his heartbeat quicken as he slowly withdrew the box from his pocket, holding it delicately in his trembling hands. His palms were clammy.As the pen dropped from his grip, Zane's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he observed Yoko's gesture. Then he teased, leaning back in his chair, his words dripped with playful sarcasm, the glint in his eyes betraying his amusement, "Well, well, Yoko... I knew you were a charmer, but I already have a stunning wife." Chuckling, Yoko narrowed his eyes, and he
A sense of shock washed over Zane like an icy wave as he stood frozen, unable to comprehend the scene unfolding before him. His eyes widened, fixed on the figure of Jason, whom he had believed to be dead. The turmoil within him intensified as Jason and Deborah stopped just a couple of feet away.Then Jason's eyes bore into Zane's soul, a mix of anger, anguish, and madness swirling within them. Without warning, he tossed a gun towards Zane, the metallic object spinning through the air before landing with a thud at Zane's feet. "Take it!" Jason spat. "It's yours, Zane! Your thirst for revenge has ruined all our lives! So go ahead, pick up the gun, and satisfy your anger! End her!"Looking away from the gun and at his uncle, Zane's mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest. Confusion clouded his thoughts, and he found himself unable to form a coherent response, and he just stared blankly at Jason.Frustration and desperation radiated from Jason, his face contorted with rage. "Kill th
After shutting the door, Zane's footsteps echoed through the grand hallway of the mansion. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts crashing into each other with relentless force. All he could focus on was the heaviness in his chest, the weight of the day's events bearing down upon him.As he made his way further into the mansion, Zane's eyes darted around, avoiding the gazes of the staff who lined the corridors, silently going about their duties. Both Emma and Damon were sitting in the living room, and when she saw Zane, walking through the doorway, she woke from her seat and rushed to him.His grip tightened around her waist as he pressed a kiss to her lips, letting it linger there for several seconds before pulling back slightly. "Are you okay?" Emma asked, concerned.With a forced smile, he nodded and said, "Yes. I'm fine." The way Zane refused to meet her eyes caught Damon's attention, and he watched his son carefully, trying to figure out what was going on in his boy's
The sun crept over the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow through the curtains of the small bedroom, and Emma stirred in her sleep, her eyelashes fluttering as she slowly awoke. Rolling onto her side, she found Zane lying next to her. His eyes were open, but they were distant, lost in thoughts that refused to let him be."Zane," she whispered, her voice still heavy with sleep. She reached out and brushed her fingers across his cheek, gently coaxing him to turn his gaze toward her.With a weak smile, he turned to face her, his eyes filled with shadows, and she traced the lines on Zane's face with her fingers, trying to read his emotions. "You are hurting because of his death, aren't you?" she asked softly.Shutting his eyes, Zane let out a deep sigh, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his emotions. "I don't know, Emma," he replied, his voice barely a whisper. "Leon and I were never close, never got along. But now, knowing he's gone, there's this void that I can't exp
With a look of madness in her eyes, satisfied that she had gotten her wish and murdered Zane, Deborah suddenly turned the gun on both men.Before they could react, she fired several shots, and they died as the bullets pierced their chests, each of them falling lifeless to the ground.Looking up at Zane, lying motionless, Deborah chuckled to herself, and then she quickly walked over to him."I hope you and your mother rot in hell." She whispered, reaching for the bag and yanked it off his head.Immediately, her hand started trembling as tears welled up in her eyes, and she picked him off the ground, resting his head on her lap, and whispered, "My beautiful baby boy...!! My child! Leon, please open your eyes! Leon, Mommy is sorry, open your eyes, please. I beg you ..." Her voice cracked as tears rolled down her cheeks."No! no, no, no!... No, Leon! Please! I need you! I love you! Wake up! Open your eyes!" She screamed hysterically, hugging Leon tight as tears streamed down her cheeks u
The hospital room was filled with silent tension as Belinda and Emma cautiously entered. Their eyes immediately fell upon Zane, who was sitting by the bed, his head resting on the mattress. Yoko, who had been keeping a watchful eye on him, glanced up at the sound of their arrival. Placing his hand to his lip, he whispered, "Shh-shh... Since we got to the hospital yesterday, he just fell asleep." But just as the words left Yoko's lips, Zane's eyes fluttered open, and he sat up, his gaze fixated on the two ladies standing before him. There was a mixture of relief and weariness in his eyes, and a faint smile crossed his lips. Unable to contain her emotions, Emma stepped forward and enveloped Zane in a tight hug, her arms wrapped around his neck. Her voice, barely a whisper, trembled with concern, "How are you hanging in?" As his weary gaze met Emma's, Zane managed a small smile. "I am just glad that this idiot is fine," he replied, his voice laced with a touch of humor, but his e
At the count of eight, the tension in the atmosphere reached its peak. Each second seemed to stretch out endlessly, as Leon sat behind the wheel, his finger itching to pull the trigger. "9!" Zane shouted, raising his hand to signal his men. "And..."But as the count reached "10!" Leon's pent-up rage exploded. In a split second, he burst out of the car, his hand gripping the gun tightly. He aimed directly at Zane's head, his eyes wild with a murderous intent.Time seemed to slow down as Yoko reacted instinctively. He leaped in front of Zane, covering his boss with his own body. The bullet tore through the air, finding its way into Yoko's arm, tearing to his skin and blood oozed out.Pain seared through Yoko's body, but he barely registered it. His sole focus was protecting Zane, even at the cost of his own life. He gritted his teeth, feeling the impact of the bullet as he absorbed the blow.In that instant, the atmosphere erupted with chaos. The crack of the gun reverberated through t
In the midst of the tense silence, Zane sat at the head of a long mahogany table, his gaze steady as he surveyed the board members of NewEra as everyone waited for him to speak.Taking a deep breath, Zane began, his voice strong and his eyes bored into them one after the other, "Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you today to address the mistakes of my past and to offer my unwavering dedication to the revival of NewEra. I know that I have gone against this company countless times, but from this day forward, I promise to use my knowledge and skills to help rebuild what was once the lifeblood of this organization."His words hung in the silence, and Zane's gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of each board member, their expression still that of fear."I owe this to my late mother," Zane continued. "Her life was taken so this place can get built, and it is my duty, as her son, to honor her legacy and ensure that NewEra rises from the ashes."A hushed silence filled the room as