“Julian!” Evelyn screamed her lungs out as she stormed inside his room. He raised his eyes from his phone, glancing at her face filled with rage. “What do you want now, Evelyn?” He hissed in angrily. “How dare you?” She asked, stepping closer to him, lounging on the bed lazily. “How dare I do what?” He snapped, irritated by the annoying suspense. “I gave an order in the company as the new CEO for everyone to gather for a brief meeting today and you convinced them otherwise?” She asked rhetorically, her hands fisting on her hair in outrage. Julian paused, searching his memory for her accusation. “I simply told my team that we were having a meeting.” He said dismissively.She laughed bitterly, “Who do you think you are to challenge my orders, Julian?” She spat out, her eyes red from anger.“Your husband.” He retorted bitterly, the words repulsing him. “My husband?” She repeated with dark glint, “You’re nothing but a piece of trash, Julian.” His jaw tightened in anger, springing u
Sebastian sighed, glancing at his watch for what felt like the hundredth time. His patience was wearing thin as he waited at the restaurant for Nora and Elijah.Just as he was about to get up and leave, they rushed in, both breathless, as if they had just sprinted the whole way."Nice of you both to finally show up," he remarked, his voice laced with irritation as they struggled to catch their breath."The traffic was insane," Nora explained, her voice raspy."We ran here because we know how much you hate waiting," Elijah added, sinking into the empty chair. Nora followed suit.Sebastian’s irritation eased as curiosity took over. "Why were you both late in the first place?""I stopped by Grandfather’s before coming here, and we used his car," Nora replied.Sebastian nodded—until realization hit him. His eyes widened. "Wait… where the hell is the car if you both ran here?""Still stuck in traffic," Nora said with a grin.Sebastian shook his head in amusement. "You two are absolutely cr
"Thank you." Nora smiled at the saleslady as she took back her card. She had stopped by the closest stores near Kaira’s place to pick up a few things."Do come again!" The saleslady beamed. Nora gave her a nod before turning to leave—only to bump into someone."Are you okay?" A man’s voice rang out in concern as she bent down to gather her fallen groceries."Yeah, I’m—“ She stopped mid-sentence, eyes locking onto the man in front of her. Cole. His initial look of worry quickly switched into a scowl the moment he recognized her."Miss Gray." He greeted her with a fake smile, eyes full of disdain. Even knowing it wasn’t real, her heart still fluttered."Cole." She responded evenly, meeting his gaze."Fancy running into you here. I don’t believe you live around this area." His voice carried a hint of sarcasm as his eyes flicked to the groceries in her arms."I don’t," she replied curtly, slightly taken aback by his sudden interest. He usually avoided her like she was the plague."Must be
Kaira walked to the gate hesitantly, hearing the screeching of wheels. It was only Nora who knew her whereabouts and she wasn’t coming today because she had slept over. She pulled the gate opening, poking her head out slightly. Her heart raced when she saw Sebastian standing by his car with a wide grin.“Hello princess.” He said softly, his eyes lighting up. Her heart fluttered at the pet name she had missed listening to for over a month.Kaira opened the gates widely, staring at him with different emotions. She was happy to see him, it felt like years she had seen him and she couldn’t help but feel guilty over the bags which seemed to be under his eyes. “Aren’t you going to invite me in, princess?” He asked, walking towards her. “Sebastian.” She managed to say her voice cracking as she wrapped her arms around him, her swollen belly poking him slightly.“I missed you, princess.” He mumbled against her neck, stroking her hair. She opened her mouth to respond but nothing seemed to c
“Welcome back, ma’am.” The staff beamed, wide smiles on their faces as Sebastian and Kaira stepped into the house. They lounged on the couch while the staff gathered around them, one of them carrying Kaira’s luggage upstairs.“Thank you.” She returned their smiles warmly. “I’ve missed you all.”“We’ve missed you too, Mrs. Ashford, especially Mr. Ashford.” Louis said with a teasing glint in his eyes.Kaira’s gaze flickered to Sebastian, whose piercing eyes was already locked onto hers.“Thank you for taking care of him while I was away,” she said softly, turning her attention back to the staff.“It’s our pleasure, ma’am,” Louis replied with a wave of his hand.Kaira’s brows furrowed slightly as she glanced around. “Where’s Butler James?”“He took a short break to visit his family,” Sebastian answered. She nodded before dismissing the staff.Sebastian turned to her. “Grandfather wants to throw a party in your honor.” He helped her to her feet.“A party? I just got here. How were they so
"I thought those two got divorced! Why did I see them together again? And Kaira even had a baby bump!" Evelyn snapped, her voice filled with frustration."Looks like they got back together," Claudia muttered, her expression just as angry."This isn’t how things were supposed to go! She was supposed to come crawling to us for help!" Evelyn fumed.From upstairs, Julian chuckled, his laughter echoing through the house."What’s so funny?" Claudia snapped, glaring up at him."Are you mad because she didn’t come begging? Or because she managed to do something you never could?" Julian asked with a smirk."If you have nothing useful to say, shut up," Evelyn shot back, crossing her arms."You two are just so entertaining," he said, ignoring her outburst as he strolled downstairs."Don’t piss me off, Julian," Evelyn growled.He smirked, standing beside her. "Why would I want to piss you off? You waste so much time thinking about Kaira when she doesn’t even know you exist," he said, taunting her
“Mathias is such a devoted hardworking crook.” Kaira complimented sarcastically, glancing through the evidence Julian had handed over as agreed. “Don’t tell me you’re still surprised by anything he does, princess?” Sebastian asked with a hard stare on his face.“No, I’m not. He’s already done far worst.” Kaira responded flatly, with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She placed the file down on the table, tilting her head up, “What do you think we should do about Detective Joe?”“Probably blackmail him into giving us the evidence.” Sebastian responded, snuggling her closer to his body. “And how exactly are we supposed to blackmail a man with a very clean record?” She asked with with a pointed look. Sebastian sighed, “I also have no idea, princess but don’t worry, I’ll think of something.” He reassured. Kaira hummed in response, resting her head on his chest as they lounged on couch.- - - “Happy to see, but what brings you here?” Nora asked curiously, letting Kaira into her room
“Hello, Cole.” Nora greeted, standing in front of detective Joe with an awkward smile on her face.Cole raised his head up from his desk, meeting her eyes with displeasure on his face. “I can’t see ‘it’s nice seeing you’ because that would be considered lying, Miss Gray.” He spat out coldly. Nora swallowed the lump on the throat. How was she supposed to get through him again? She thought bitterly.“And here I thought lying was part of your special skills?” She retorted sharply, before she could even stop herself. You are supposed to convince him, not anger him! She scolded herself internally.Cole chuckled, unfazed by the attack. “ And it seems stalking me around is your special skill?” He shot back, raising his brow in question.“I’m not—“ She began but bite her tongue, cutting herself off. “Can we talk?” She asked in a soft tone. Cole’s eyes glimmered, the corner of his lips curling up in a mocking smile. “I made it clear to you the last time already, Miss Gray. I don’t like you.
“Happy birthday, Nora.” Sebastian said with a smile with a banquet of flowers in his hands. “Thank you, Seb.” She responded accepting the flowers. “Happy birthday, bestie.” Kaira quipped, pecking her cheeks. Nora smiled pulling her into a hug. The dinner began once they were settled into their seats. “You’re getting old.” Elijah teased, twirling his fork in his hand. “We are same age, Elijah.” She shot back, ruffling his head like a child. “Now we’re same age, I thought you were always older than I am.” He said mockingly and she shot him an irritated glare. “Enough bickering already.” Caleb scolded, shaking his head in slight amusement. “He started it, Uncle.” Nora defended with a pout, adjusting her chair. They were having their usual family dinner which held each month and it had happened to fall on Nora’s birthday. “But he’s right, Nora. You’re getting old.” Sebastian teased. “I’m still younger than you are, mister.” She defended, puffing her chest high as thou
Kaira sat in front of the glass with Sebastian standing beside her. The security guard brought Mathias in from the prison doors. “What are you doing here?” He asked in irritation, crossing his arms as he sat on the chair. “You had the opportunity to reject the visit, yet you didn’t.” She retorted with a straight face. She had recovered from the injuries she sustained that was why she was able to visit her father. He was sentenced for murder after under going trial with the evidence they had provided the court with. However Claudia was released due to lack of evidence against her. “Did you ever regret it?” She questioned, studying his features. “Regret what?” He asked feigning ignorance. “Did you ever regret killing my parents?” Sebastian interrupted before Kaira respond. “Kill your parents? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mathias brows furrowed in confusion. “Ohh, but you do, Mr Blackwood.” He responded blankly, “It wasn’t Kaira’s mother you killed that
Evelyn shuffled through the drawer, hissing in anger when she found nothing—She was out of cash. It has been ten days since she fled in panic after nearly killing Kaira. Ten days of searching for her endlessly. She was laying low in a small motel because she knew the cops were after her. Her parents had been arrested and she was declared wanted. Thankfully, the motel manager didn’t recognize her as the same person trending on news and she was extra careful not to be caught. Evelyn had resulted to pickpocketing to stay alive and yes she hated her current condition, but she couldn’t do much about it. She needed to stay alive. She reached for her phone, scrolling through her contact and pausing at Julian’s name. She bite her lips, contemplating if to call or not. He was the only one who could help her right now, after all they were in same side. Without much thinking, she dialed the line, tapping her feet as she waited patient for him to pick the call. “Evelyn?” Hi
“Can you hear me, Kaira?” Sebastian voice echoed in Kaira’s subconscious.“Sebastian?”She responded in a low tone, trying to open her heavy eyes. “Yes it’s me, princess. Can you see me?” He asked softly, and she felt a hand on her face. She could only see a blur vision of him because her eyes weren’t completely opened. She tried harder, slowly adjusting her eyes to the light in the hospital. She tried to arch her neck, but she couldn’t. It was broken. “Don’t try to hard, princess.” Sebastian said softly, his face coming to her vision. “Sebastian.” She cried out, with a smile on her face. A smile of relief. “Yes, princess. I’m here.” He assured, holding her hand and sitting at the edge of the bed. “My whole body hurts, Sebastian.” She confessed, her voice cracking. “You’ll be fine, princess.” He gave charming smile, kissing her forehead lightly. Her eyes widened as realization hit her. “Our baby.” She said in panic trying to feel her baby bump, but Sebastian held her hands tig
“So the buyer is coming today to see the house.” Mathias announced in a light tone. Evelyn and Claudia’s hummed in response, the sadness on their faces was clear. It still felt surreal that they had really crumbled to that level, and worst to the point of even selling their house to get extra cash.“You are both quiet.” He said, sitting on the couch. “What do you expect me to say, Mathias?” Claudia spat in a harsh tone, “Am I supposed to be happy with the way things are going with us now?” If Mathias were to hold grudges against them for how the treated him when he was in jail,then he would have thrown them out. But he considered them his family which is why he let it go.“We aren’t as broke as you make us out to be, Claudia.” Mathias tried to convince himself than her. “Really, Mathias? We had cars in this house, but what happened to them huh?” She questioned sarcastically. “We sold everything.” Evelyn responded in a gloomy tone. “Exactly, Mathias. We sold everything to clear u
“I want to buy the house.” Kaira declared, after Julian had informed her about Mathias putting up their house on sale. “What?” Sebastian and Julian said in unison, their voices loud from shock.“I said I want to buy the house from them, and the company of course.” She repeated, with a knowing look. “Why could you want to buy their house, princess?” Sebastian quipped, pursing his lips in confusion. “It’s my mother’s house.” She corrected, her eyes darkening, “It’s only fair I take back everything the owe me, right?” “I don’t know, but buying the building seems a little rash…” Julian trailed off when Sebastian shoot him a cold stare.“What are you still doing here, Mr Stone?” He asked in annoyance. Julian sealed his lips, instantly standing up to his feet. What he had understood with Sebastian after working with him for a short while was that he’s calm was only reserved for Kaira. “I’ll be leaving now.” He announced, and they both gave him a subtle nod. He forced a smile on his fac
“What are you doing here?” Claudia’s tone came off harsh, as she stared at Mathias in front of the door. They had laid off staffs because they couldn’t afford such luxury anymore. “This is my house, Claudia.” He snapped, pushing her out of the way, and walking into the house. He was released today, after his lawyer had managed to come up with the money. “When were you released?” She asked in near anger, shutting the doors and following him. “So you did know I was arrested, yet you didn’t bother to coming?” Mathias snarled. Originally he believed they weren’t aware, but it was almost impossible when the news of his arrest was everywhere, yet he forced himself to believe otherwise. “Of what use was it?” Claudia spat out, no longer hiding her emotions. “You’re back, father.” Evelyn beamed, walking into the living room. Mathias sent her a cold stare raising his hand up as she tried to embrace him. “Don’t you dare father me, Evelyn.” She swallowed, flinching away from him. She had n
“It’s been rather peaceful with Mathias in jail.” Kaira remarked with a soft chuckle. “Hasn’t it always been, princess?” Sebastian teased, glancing at her as he massaged her feet.“I feel happy seeing his face on every broadcasting channel I switchto.” She continued, ignoring his teasing. “He’s probably thinking of ways to bail himself out of jail.” Sebastian drawled with a smirk, “He doesn’t know it’s just the beginning.” He chuckled mockingly. “With his ‘precious family’ abandoning him, I doubt he would get himself out.” Kaira said thoughtfully.“Don’t underestimate Mathias, princess. He’ll do everything in his power to get out of there.” Sebastian countered with a dark expression.“Good thing we have other means of putting him in prison.” She quipped, and they both chuckled. “It wouldn’t be too early to celebrate right, Seb?” Kaira’s eyes glinted. “You’re not supposed to be drinking, princess.” Sebastian reprimanded, setting her legs down gently as he to sank on the space clo
The media sparked with news of the former CEO of Blackwood company arrest for embezzlement of funds, and allegations of fraud. It was the headline news on every broadcasting channel, and whispers of it were around the crowd with multiple opinions regarding the arrest.“How did your father allow himself to get arrested?” Claudia snapped with anger written on her face as watched the news.“Do you think that’s the most important at the moment, mother?” Evelyn shoot back, fumbling with her. “What is more important then, Evelyn? Your father should have known better than to walk around smugly without covering up his mess.” She argued bitterly.The family were equally finding out about Mathias arrest through the news. After informing them he was going to visit a business associate, they hadn’t expected him to show up on news hours later.Julian sat by the corner with a smug grin on his face. They were finally beginning to get what they deserve!“Mother, stop already.” Evelyn stated curtly,