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"Help me!"RACHEL'S POVI fell just as I was about to cross the finish line, and Helen used that moment to sprint ahead of me. I heard Leo shout from behind, but it was too late. Why is he acting like he cares? Oh, wait—of course, the cameras are on.I pushed myself up immediately, not wanting to waste any more time. Lily was far behind, so while I might not take first or second, I could still claim third place. With a determined rush, I crossed the finish line."Congratulations, Mrs. Leo. You made it!" Josh announced, and the smugness in his voice irritated me to no end. They know we hate being called that and are just doin watching as though she already knew the outcome.What the—"You know, not to brag, Rachel," Leo said, turning to face me as he placed the bow back where it belonged. "I was the top archer in college. Probably could’ve made the national team or the Olympics if I hadn’t focused on business."His hands were tucked into his pockets, his stance exuding dominance and con
“Rachel…Calm down”LEO'S POVThere was a sudden blackout, which caught me off guard as I stood near the large glass window facing the swimming pool. The glass was pristine, reflecting a faint glow from the nearby lights, creating a soft barrier between the chaos outside and the quiet of my workspace. It was then that I realized Rachel hadn’t returned yet, and I decided to check on the others.A few minutes into the blackout, I heard a scream that sent a chill down my spine.“Help!!” Rachel’s voice echoed through the darkness. My mind went blank, the only thought in my head was reaching her. I grabbed my phone, using the flashlight to guide me toward the pool. As I sprinted outside, I caught the faint sound of footsteps retreating, but I was too focused on saving Rachel to care about the shadow slipping away.I dove into the water, pulling her unconscious body from the pool just as the lights flickered back on. The other couples rushed toward us, their faces etched with concern.“Oh my
“Someone really pushed me”RACHEL’S POV“Don’t go!!” I yelled, grabbing his shirt again. Leo remained still, not pulling away this time. I could feel my grip tighten, and even though I was aware of it, I couldn’t bring myself to let go. Surprisingly, he didn’t try to shake me off. Instead, he stood there, struggling to find the right words to calm me down.He continued patting my back, and his touch—unexpectedly—was soothing. “It’s okay,” he whispered, his voice low but clear enough for me to hear. We stayed like that for what felt like minutes, his presence steady and oddly comforting.My eyelids grew heavier as exhaustion caught up to me. I started to drift off, and Leo must’ve thought I’d fallen asleep because he slowly pulled away. I felt him gently lay me down on the bed, and though I was too sleepy to fully open my eyes, I could sense him dragging something—perhaps a blanket—over me. There was the soft sound of him sitting down beside me again.Why does it feel like he’s genuine
LEO’S POVI watched as she trembled while speaking those words. Her defenses, always so meticulously in place, were crumbling right before me. For reasons I couldn’t fully grasp, Rachel was letting her guard down, revealing a vulnerability that was foreign to her usual self. I couldn’t help but wonder why.Was it because she felt comfortable around me, or was she simply too exhausted to keep up her usual bravado? Maybe it was both.Since I’d known Rachel, I had never seen her like this—this vulnerable, this shaken. Things were unraveling for her.“Well, as long as they can’t kill me, then I won’t let them off either,” she muttered between gritted teeth, her grip tightening around the fork in her hand. Her knuckles were white from the pressure. “Whoever is trying to see my end will also face an unbearable one.” Her voice, though low, was filled with a burning resolve, a kind of determination that only came from desperation.My phone buzzed, pulling me out of the moment. I glanced at th
"Forgive me for this.." RACHEL'S POVHe stood there, stunned, clearly not expecting me to bring up the past. His expression shifted, conflicted, like he didn’t know how to respond.“Look, Rachel, I don’t know what you’re talking about but—" Leo started, his voice almost soft, but I cut him off before he could finish."But what, Leo?" I snapped, stepping closer until there were only inches between us. I could feel the heat radiating off him, my anger bubbling over like a volcano ready to erupt. My heart pounded in my chest as I glared at him, the bitterness from years of unresolved tension fueling me.“We were friends, Leo. More than friends. But then, out of nowhere, you turned your back on me. You humiliated me in front of the entire college!” I shouted, my voice shaking as I tried to suppress the tears that threatened to spill over.He met my gaze, his eyes darkening with something I couldn’t quite read. “Why are you acting like you’re the victim here?” he said, his tone flat, alm
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVENLEO’S POVThe kiss was sudden, intense, and electrifying. As soon as our lips met, I felt her tense, but then she melted against me, and something inside me broke free. There was no hesitation, no gentleness. I couldn’t hold back anymore. I hadn’t even realized how much I had been restraining myself until now. My kiss was firm, claiming, as though I had been holding on to this need for far too long.My mind spun as a surge of emotions crashed through me, emotions I didn’t even know I was capable of. My heart pounded wildly, and for the first time, I didn’t care about the consequences. What line had we crossed? Did it even matter anymore?I expected her to pull away, to slap me or scream at me for overstepping. But then she leaned into the kiss. Just for a moment. That moment was all it took for me to lose any sense of control.My hand tightened around her waist, pulling her closer until there wasn’t an inch of space between us. I could feel the warmth of her body
Rachel's POVI was stunned as the words left his mouth. My gaze locked onto his, searching desperately for any hint of deception, but his eyes revealed nothing. Was it possible I had misunderstood him, just as he might have misunderstood my role in posting Helen's article? “Someone else posted it without my knowledge, and…” he trailed off, his eyes falling to the ground for just a moment. Then, he looked back up, and our gazes met again, charged with unresolved tension. In that instant, memories rushed back like an unstoppable tide, pulling me into a moment I had long buried.Flashback “Hey, Cecilia! Yes, today’s my first day of grad school as a master’s student,” I said over the phone, my voice bright with excitement. But even as I spoke, anxiety tugged at me. My eyes darted around the room, searching for something I held dear—my bracelet, the one I considered my lucky charm. Wearing it today meant everything, but I couldn't find it. “Ugh! Where is that bracelet?” My frustration
FLASHBACK CONTINUESRACHEL'S POVThe projector displays a case study on the screen: a multinational corporation facing challenges in managing its global operations. "Good morning Everyone. For the new students joining today, I am Professor Harding and I will be teaching you Global Business Strategy and Leadership. On that note, the first question I would like to ask today is, between centralization and decentralization, which is the best strategy for a global corporation like this? I would love to hear your answers" He said while staring at us, looking at different angles to see who would attempt the answer.A few minutes later, I decided to contribute since no one was willing to answer. I raised my hand."Nice, can you tell me your name?" He asked while keeping his phone on the table."I am Rachel Snow and I would say Decentralization," I said, keeping my posture as firm as possible. "Okay, Rachel. It's nice to meet you. Care to elaborate on why you choose decentralization?" Profes
RACHEL’S POVI was stunned, frozen in place as Lily’s words echoed in my mind. She knows Someone pushed me? Why is she just telling me now?“What?!” I gasped, my voice sharper than I intended, cutting through the tense silence in the room. Lily’s eyes darted toward the door, her hand quickly gesturing for me to lower my voice. “Tell me,” I demanded, gripping her shoulders, my voice now a trembling whisper. “Who is it?” Her hesitation hung thick in the air. “It’s…” Just as she opened her mouth to reveal the truth, a sudden knock shattered the fragile moment, sending my heart racing. The atmosphere shifted instantly, tension rippling through the room like an electric charge. I felt my grip tighten on Lily’s shoulders as dread crept into my chest. Who was at the door? And did they already know what Lily was about to tell me? "Tell me… who is it?" I insisted, my voice trembling with urgency, completely ignoring the knock. Lily hesitated, her lips parting as if to final
RACHEL'S POVI insisted the hospital discharge me because I had to go to the police station. First, someone pushed me into the pool, and then I was kidnapped. Now, I can't shake the feeling that something even worse is about to happen. A sense of dread lingers, the air thick with the weight of impending danger. The tension inside me grows as I try to make sense of the chaotic events, my heart racing with fear and uncertainty.As I entered the station, my mind replayed all the horrifying moments I had endured in his place, each memory like a fresh wound reopening.“Oh, you're here to see me too?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.“Also? Was someone else here too?” I asked, a sense of confusion creeping into my voice. He chuckled softly, the sound sending an unsettling chill through the air.“I guess you're unaware. He didn’t inform you? The person who caused your kidnapping?” he said, smiling, but there was something in his expression that made me freeze. He wasn’t joking
MICHEAL’ S POV“Cecilia… listen! Just listen,” I urged, trying to soothe her, but she was far too wound up, pacing back and forth like a storm about to break.“Don’t tell me to calm down! I need to deal with Leo. How dare he treat his younger brother like this? Why is he being so cruel to you?” Her voice was sharp with anger, each word carrying the weight of her frustration.A strange warmth filled me, knowing someone was this fiercely on my side. Perhaps I should have held onto her years ago, made her mine when I had the chance.“Cecilia, please… calm down,” I said gently, hoping to steady her.“Don’t tell me to calm down!” she snapped, grabbing her jacket, preparing to storm out. But before she could take another step, I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her close.She froze, her breath hitching as I held her tight. I leaned down, my lips close to her ear, my voice a soft murmur. “I’m okay. I promise,” I whispered, letting each word linger. “And besides, time heals ever
LEO’S POV“What do you mean I’m the cause of everything?” I asked, my voice tense. He grinned mischievously.“You think I’d just tell you? No, that’s a puzzle for you to figure out,” he replied, leaning back with a smug look.I could tell he was playing mind games, trying to throw me off balance. But if I played my cards right, there was a good chance I could get him on my side.“Alright, listen,” I said, keeping my tone steady. “I have an offer for you. Tell me who hired you and the price he promised. I’ll give you triple whatever he’s offering.”He smirked, his expression unreadable.“I’m sorry, but you can’t give me what I want.”He replied, and I chuckled, matching his mischievous grin. “You sure about that? Money? I’ve got plenty. Connections? I have those too. And power? You know well enough that I’m number one on the list of Las Vegas’ most powerful bachelors. As far as I’m concerned, there’s a limit to what your employer can do for you—but his limits are like infinity compa
LEO’S POVWe’ve been enemies for years, and nothing unusual happened. But the moment we started caring for each other, the strange occurrences returned, darker and more unsettling.As I drove to meet Micheal, a plan already forming in my mind, my phone rang. Rachel. Her voice was filled with urgency, and the next words she spoke left me cold."What?!" I shouted, slamming my foot on the brake. My car jerked to a stop, my heart racing as if it might tear through my chest."Dave has never been in prison?" I asked, my voice low, but the disbelief was clear. I clung to the steering wheel, knuckles white. "No," Rachel confirmed, her voice shaky. "There are no records of him in the prison database." That was it. Dave was involved—he had a hand in all of this madness. My pulse quickened, thoughts spinning as I tried to piece it all together."I’m coming. I’ll get back to you," I said, my voice strained. Hanging up, I pressed the gas pedal, my mind now consumed by questions.As I drove, I dia
RACHEL’ S POV I know things have been awkward between us lately. We were at loggerheads just weeks ago, but this variety show brought us closer than I ever expected. "Leo..." I called, and he looked up at me. He was sitting a bit far away but moved closer, settling next to me. "Yes?" he answered, his eyes locking with mine. I have so many questions I want to ask him, especially now, but I don't know how to begin. "Could you hand me my phone?" I asked, stretching out my hand. He passed it to me, and I played a video before handing it back to him. He watched it, and I could tell he remembered. "I think this is where everything between us started," I said. It was a video of the day my dad was hit in that tragic accident. For a long time, I believed Leo was responsible, but over the months, doubt crept in. The video felt too real to dismiss, but part of me started wondering if I had been wrong all along. Maybe, just maybe, I should’ve asked instead of blaming him from the start. B
LEO'S POVAs I stepped further into the abandoned building, my heart raced. In the flickering light, I spotted Rachel, tied to a chair, her eyes wide with fear. Panic surged through me as I noticed a group of men emerging from a dark room, their expressions menacing. What made my blood run cold was the sight of a bomb strapped to her body, wires and a digital timer blinking ominously. My instincts kicked in, and I couldn't think of anything else but getting to her. I rushed toward Rachel, my heart pounding in my chest. “Get away from her!” I shouted, adrenaline coursing through my veins. The men, however, just laughed, their eyes filled with malice. One of them held a remote, taunting me with it. “Step closer, and we’ll set it off,” he sneered. “Leo, don’t!” Rachel pleaded, her voice trembling. But I couldn’t back down. I took another step forward, my resolve unyielding. In an instant, pain exploded in my leg as I felt a sharp sting; I had been shot. I stumbled but kept my focus o
LEO'S POVAs I stepped further into the abandoned building, my heart raced. In the flickering light, I spotted Rachel, tied to a chair, her eyes wide with fear.Panic surged through me as I noticed a group of men emerging from a dark room, their expressions menacing.What made my blood run cold was the sight of a bomb strapped to her body, wires and a digital timer blinking ominously. My instincts kicked in, and I couldn't think of anything else but getting to her.I rushed toward Rachel, my heart pounding in my chest.“Get away from her!” I shouted, adrenaline coursing through my veins. The men, however, just laughed, their eyes filled with malice. One of them held a remote, taunting me with it.“Step closer, and we’ll set it off,” he sneered.“Leo, don’t!” Rachel pleaded, her voice trembling. But I couldn’t back down. I took another step forward.In an instant, pain exploded in my leg as I felt a sharp sting; I had been shot. I stumbled but focused on Rachel, who was looking at me
LEO'S POV “What’s our next step?” I asked the officer, urgency lacing my voice.“Right now, we’re compiling a description of the suspect,” he replied, motioning to the forensic team working on their computers.“We’ll use facial recognition software to see if we can match him against any known criminals in the system.”Just then, Bug burst into the room, his face a mixture of concern and determination. “Leo, I’ve got something,” he said, urgency in his voice.“What is it?” I asked, my heart pounding in anticipation.“My boss once told me that she will put tracking device on all her shoes right Sarah Eli’s murder and I think it is linked to her macbook in the office” Bug said, bringing outa macbook that probably belongs to Rachel.“She said on it for safety reasons.”“Right,” I said, nodding.“She wanted to make sure we could always find her if anything happened again.” Bug continued“We can track her location using that device,” Bug said, pulling out his phone. “If she’s wearing those