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CHAPTER ELEVENRACHEL'S POVTo say I was shocked by Leonardo’s actions is an understatement—what could possibly be his reason for helping me?In my opinion, there are only three possible options: Firstly, he’s doing it for the media, to gain more fans on his side.Secondly, he’s trying to divert my attention from putting him on my list of suspects.Lastly, and the option I really don’t think is true—he’s actually being nice.His back was still turned to me, and at this moment, I don't care what he's planning, but I'm not getting on his back.I tried to get up on my own, but I landed back on my butt on the ground. My leg refuses to let me do what I want right now. Damn leg!“Are you getting on my back or not? Because we need to find that treasure box before the H’s do,” he said, sounding irritated. I scoffed. “Well, then go ahead,” I snapped, and he turned and swiftly picked me up bridal style. I believe I wasn’t the only one shocked—every single person on that field was shocked. The
LEO'S POVGoddamn it! How on earth did I forget that we share the same apartment?I cursed under my breath as I changed into something more comfortable. Well, what can I say? I guess I have to expect more encounters like this. I opened the door again, and this time, Rachel's eyes were glued to her phone. It looked like something serious, but who cares? I went straight to the kitchen to get a glass of water.The kitchen was sleek and modern, with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. The cabinets were a deep mahogany, contrasting with the light gray walls, and the room was lit by soft, recessed lighting that gave it a warm, inviting glow. The glass jar I needed was on a high shelf above the sink, just out of easy reach.Rachel leaped into the kitchen on one leg, clearly favoring the injured one. She reached up for the glass jar but couldn’t quite grab it. Her fingers barely brushed the edge.Well, she doesn't expect me to get it for her, right? I mean, I do not wish to rec
RACHEL’S POVIt's been two days since we came in third at the first couple's games.Shocking, right? Well, we were told the aim of the game was to test our cooperation as a team since we’re supposed to be couples.Though the H's came in first, there was no chemistry between them. Henry fell, but Helen still rushed to get the box, and he joined later.However, our case was different since Leo bent down to help me. That’s how we ended up in third place, and I swear I could see the look of disappointment on Helen’s face as she stared at Leo, whose facial expression showed he was pleased with himself.Claiming to be a hero? Trust me, he’s only doing it for the camera. That aside, I’ve got too much on my plate to dwell on him.The first episode was released today, since it’s Saturday. The program airs from Monday to Saturday at exactly 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.I was dumbfounded when I read the reviews on YouTube. The show is trending on almost all social media platforms."What?! A pick-me?!" I exc
LEO’S POVThe look on Rachel’s face clearly told me she was beyond shocked. She looked like she needed someone to wake her up. Her gaze slowly shifted to Bug, who also had no idea what was going on.But guess what? Even the other shareholders were just as shocked because everyone in there knew me.The whole room was so silent that even a single pin drop could be heard.“I-I don’t get what you mean,” Rachel stuttered, still trying to recover from her shocked state.“What don’t you get? The fact that the Dr. Lugard on your list of shareholders is none other than me?”Rachel clenched her hand into a fist, her shocked expression quickly turning into rage.“Bug, get me the documents with the list of shareholders,” she ordered, stressing each word.A few minutes later, Bug hurried in with the documents and placed them in front of Rachel.She checked the list, and I knew she saw Dr. Lugard with 13.1 percent shares.“Have you seen my name, or do you need evidence?” I asked, my voice calm as th
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: REALIZATIONRACHEL’S POV“How on earth did Leonardo Lugard, my very enemy, become a shareholder in my company, Bug?” I asked, staring at him from across my desk with dead eyes.Bug kept his head down, looking utterly terrified. His hands trembled slightly, and his face was pale, like he’d seen a ghost.“Answer me!” I yelled at the top of my voice, standing up. He almost jumped out of his skin. At that moment, something clicked in my mind.Power tripping.Is this what it’s called? No, is this how I’ve been treating my employees all this while?Since when has Bug been so afraid of me like this?He looked like a deer caught in headlights, his eyes wide, lips pressed together as if afraid to even breathe. His entire body seemed to shrink into itself, trying to become as small as possible to avoid my wrath.I took a deep breath and sat back down, rubbing my hands together to calm myself.“Y-y-you can leave now,” I said softly, noticing how he flinched at the sound of my voi
“Rachel is in Danger”LEO’S POVRachel looked dumbfounded by what I had just said, but deep down, I knew I meant every word. Like hell, I would admit it, though. I needed to make Helen stop sticking around me.“Whoa, looks like you two aren’t enemies after all,” Helen said, openly, as if she didn’t realize we were on a variety show, signed up as a couple.“Wifey, come on, let’s go. The challenge is about to start,” Henry called out to her. At first, she had a disgusted look when he approached, but she quickly masked it with a fake smile. I think Rachel saw it too.“You know, you really have a way of surprising me these days,” Rachel finally said as I walked away to where I could hear the hosts clearly, ignoring her.“Oh yes, this was what I expected you to do from the beginning,” she added. Maybe she meant I should have walked away earlier. I really wanted to, but I needed to make it clear to Helen that she had no chance.I had thought Rachel was trying to use this variety show to get
RACHEL'S POV"We're supposed to be working together, but he will never listen. Mr. 'I-am-always-right,'" I muttered angrily, pushing through the dense trees. I checked the map again, hoping to find some familiarity with the route I was following, but it was useless."Should I have just listened to him?" My inner voice questioned, but I shook my head stubbornly.Suddenly, I heard noises ahead, startling me. "Hello, anybody there?" I called out, trying to sound brave, though fear gripped me.Then, four puppets emerged from behind the trees. At first, I sighed in relief, thinking they were just part of the challenge. But their demeanor was anything but friendly. They moved toward me slowly, pulling out a net.It dawned on me—they were trying to trap me, prevent me from reaching the castle.Instinct kicked in, and I turned to run back the way I came, but two of them had anticipated this and took a different route, blocking my escape. Of course, they were familiar with the terrain.I change
LEO’S POVThe rain had finally stopped, leaving the air thick with the scent of wet earth and the fresh, lingering humidity. The atmosphere between us was heavy with unspoken words, a tension that neither of us seemed willing to break. We walked in silence, following the last route on the map. The silence was palpable, filled with the sound of our footsteps crunching against the damp ground. I could feel her presence beside me, the quiet between us somehow more meaningful than anything we could have said.Suddenly, she froze, her eyes wide with fear. I wasn’t sure what had startled her, but before I could react, she let out a scream and did the unexpected.Rachel jumped into my arms.The force of it made me stagger backward, struggling to find my balance as I held her close. Her body pressed against mine, and everything seemed to slow down. Our faces were inches apart, her breath warm against my skin. For a moment, it felt as though time itself had stopped. I could hear my heart poundi
RACHEL'S POVI got a call from Bug saying the rival company’s CEO wanted to see me.Honestly, I couldn’t care less.Cecilia left about an hour ago, and since then, I’ve been sitting here, staring at nothing, feeling completely drained. The room is quiet, but not in a peaceful way—it’s the kind of quiet that presses on your chest, making it hard to breathe. I’ve been thinking about walking away from all of this, leaving the show behind. The idea keeps circling in my mind, louder than anything Bug said on the phone.I don’t even know why I’m here again. At first, I had a clear purpose—to join this variety show, uncover Leo’s weakness, and crush him in the game. Winning would’ve secured my company a top spot in Las Vegas, solidifying our reputation. But now? That goal feels like a distant memory, shattered into pieces. Everything I planned for seems pointless, and I can’t help but wonder if it was ever worth it in the first place.Nothing has been going right since I got here. If anyth
Michael's POV As I walked around the company, an unsettling quietness hung in the air. It wasn’t the usual hum of activity I was used to. Something was off. Perhaps a visitor had arrived, or maybe I was wrong. My suspicions were confirmed—or rather, shattered—when I entered my office and saw him. My so-called father. “That explains it,” I muttered under my breath, the words laced with a mix of irritation and resignation. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating. My steps slowed as I approached my desk, every nerve in my body on high alert. His presence alone was enough to change the air, filling it with tension and unspoken words. As I moved to sit down, his eyes locked onto mine, following my every motion with an intensity that made my skin crawl. His gaze wasn’t just observing—it was probing, dissecting, searching for cracks in my armor. My jaw tightened, and I fought to keep my face neutral, refusing to let him see how his unexpected arrival unnerved me."Oh, I thought you
Rachel’s POV "Now we have to plan for this stupid wedding," I said out loud, my voice laced with frustration. Cecilia said she is coming to check up on me. I heard the doorbell, and I knew it was her. “Oh, sweetie,” she said while hugging me tightly, her arms wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I could feel the comfort in her embrace, her familiar floral scent filling the air as I let out a shaky breath. Her voice was soft, yet filled with concern, and her touch made my guarded emotions threaten to spill over. “Oh, how are you?” I asked as we went to settle down on the couch. I could sense something off in her energy, but I chose to ignore it for now. “I’m angry with you, but I just chose to come,” she said, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of hurt. She tried to mask her expression, but the slight crease in her brow and the way her eyes avoided mine gave her away. I sighed, bracing myself for whatever was coming. “What… why?” I asked, even though I knew exactly why sh
LEO’S POV“But why now?” Rachel asked, her voice edged with frustration and confusion. “I mean, it’s been so long since he was arrested. Why is he attacking us now?” She paced back and forth in the sitting room, her steps quick and restless. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, and I could see the worry etched into her face. I watched her for a moment, trying to make sense of it myself. This wasn’t just a random move—it felt calculated, deliberate. But what triggered it now? After all this time? “I don’t know, Rachel,” I finally said, my tone low and serious. “But whatever it is, he clearly hasn’t let go of his grudge.” She stopped pacing and turned to face me, her eyes searching mine for answers I didn’t have."That won’t do him any good. He needed time to prepare, but eight years ago is way too long,” I said, running my hand through my hair as I tried to piece together every possible clue, every potential motive. “Or... what if he wasn’t planning anything at all?” she
VILLAIN'S POVI’ve been watching them for a long time now. Every time I see them together, it burns me inside. The way they laugh, the way they look at each other—it makes me sick. They don’t even know I exist, not when it comes to the two of them. But that’s fine. They don’t need to know, because as long as I’m alive, I’ll make sure they’re never together. I stand on the balcony, staring out into the quiet night with a glass of wine in my hand. The air is cold, biting against my skin, but I don’t care. The street below is almost empty, just a few cars passing by, their headlights cutting through the dark. The moon is high in the sky, its pale light spilling through the window and making everything look lifeless. It matches how I feel—cold and restless. My left hand grip the railing tightly, my knuckles turning white. I should have been done with this by now. Rachel wasn’t supposed to still be a problem. But the idiot I sent to take care of her is sitting in a police cell, and now
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