Yaslyn gently pulled on Xoan's fingers, a silent plea for him to soften his words. Xoan, honoring Yaslyn's discrete signal, chose to let the matter go without further dispute."I heard you were expecting?"Caught off guard by his knowledge, Yaslyn paused, realizing Josie must have spotted the pregnancy test during her last visit and let it slip."I... I lost the child."She could feel the shift in the atmosphere, with the man beside her suddenly warming up. "Then you should rest."Strangely, when she spoke those words, his heart remained calm—no ripples of complex emotions as one might expect."Would it be too much if I brought Josie by today? I wouldn't want to interrupt your recovery.""You've mentioned it now, so go ahead and bring Josie. I'm okay."Relieved to hear she was doing alright, Quinn exhaled deeply. "Okay, I'm on it."However, home was a whisper of stillness, a cavern of silence."Josie?"Quinn's voice echoed unanswered. Guilt gnawed at him—he was to take her a
"It's because you're in love with her, isn't it? Your heart is so full of her that there's no room for anyone else. No matter what I do, I just can't seem to find a way into your heart."Josie started to cry as she spoke.She could not wrap her head around it. Yaslyn was married with a kid on the way, yet Quinn could not shake her off.Every time he talked about her, his eyes lit up with pride and trust, and it sent Josie into a chaos.Yaslyn was just too perfect, and Josie felt like she was running a race she could never win.Quinn was blind to her—completely blind. It left Josie feeling shattered and utterly alone."There are so many men in the world, and we are not suited for each other. You clearly have better choices.""To me, you are the best choice."Josie looked at him with hope in her eyes, waiting for a response."Josie, stop this nonsense. Change out of these clothes and come back with me. Yaslyn is waiting for you."Quinn, fearful of being too harsh and upsetting
"The house is empty. Stay at the Warren family residence for the next few days," Yaslyn gently suggested."Alright, then. I appreciate it, Yaslyn."Josie's understanding response made Yaslyn feel even guiltier."Don't worry about it, Josie. We're family here."Yaslyn guided her inside, comforting her with a soft, patient voice as they walked. Josie's eyes were still red from crying.It took a while for Josie to shake off the heavy mood. Once Quinn dropped off her bags, she was able to relax and feel at home with the Warrens.To keep Kadesha out of the public eye, Yaslyn had her stay in a villa near the Warrens. It was a strategic move to keep her hidden and well-cared for.Coming back from work, Yaslyn stopped by with some groceries to check on Kadesha, only to find her missing.Panic set in as she thought Kadesha might have been kidnapped, but just as she was about to call for help, Kadesha returned, all smiles, with a bag full of veggies.Josie was with her, both dressed in
Yerick did not waste much time on her, his gaze drifting to her stomach as a twisted smile crept across his face."The kid's gone. How perfect."Yaslyn had to remind herself that she was dealing with someone insane."I'll say it again. Keep using your dirty tricks on my loved ones, and you'll pay dearly."With more pressing matters at hand, Yaslyn cut the confrontation short, shooting him a venomous look before heading back to the hospital room.Inside, Kadesha had just been diagnosed after inhaling some mysterious gas that caused her to collapse.Thankfully, the exposure was not severe, and she was out of danger.Kadesha was still out cold when Xoan, having heard the news, arrived in a hurry. "What's going on? How did Mrs. Carden end up like this?"Yaslyn hesitated, her expression unreadable."The doctor thinks it's some unknown gas that knocked her out. However, after running into Yerick earlier, I can't shake the feeling he's behind this."Xoan's gaze grew heavy. "I was at
"Scandalous? I'm curious about what exactly you mean by that," Yaslyn replied with a smile that was calm and composed, yet somehow sent a shiver through the air.The woman stood upright. "You know full well that you and Xoan are cousins, and yet you went ahead and married him. That's what I call scandalous."There was a flicker of spite in her eyes as she spoke, as if Yaslyn's union with Xoan had robbed her of a romantic opportunity."Sounds like you've got a bit of a crush on Xoan," Yaslyn pointed out.The accusation caught the woman off guard, especially with reporters all around. She could not afford to slip up."Xoan's the diamond bachelor of Jefferson City, the catch of the century. Who wouldn't be interested?"She skirted around the question, but her voice betrayed a clear crush on Xoan."It's a shame, though, that even if he were single, he wouldn't give you a second look," Yaslyn remarked.Yaslyn's words stung with truth, aimed at the woman before her who was plain and
As anticipated, at five in the morning the following day, a bombshell report from Sunrise Daily erupted across the web.The story depicted the Warren family in a manner starkly different from their usual image, leaving everyone astounded. The buzz around it only intensified."They're splitting up?""Looks like it's more than just a split. They're heading to court!""Word is that Xoan's trying to claw back the shares that Mr. Warren gave Yaslyn. How low can you go?""Please, she's not the villain here. Yaslyn's the one who stepped out first.""Who could marry Xoan and not be miserable? If a woman's stepping out, it's a sure sign she's had enough.""Is the guy before me for real? Since when is stepping out something to brag about?""Any word on the divorce? Will there be a celebration?"Over at the Rabasco Group, Yerick caught wind of the gossip and could not help but smirk.He turned to Yohan, who was fidgeting on the couch, and offered a warm smile. "You're positive she confe
Was the Warren Group truly on the verge of collapse?Not long after, Xoan strategically leaked that the company was up for grabs.The major players acted quickly, each eager to acquire the business empire at a bargain price. After all, even a weakened giant held more value than an ordinary company.Xoan had turned down one suitor after another, all vying to take over the Warren Group, until a delegate from the Rabasco Group came knocking.The visitor was welcomed with open arms.Yerick, wanting to make a good impression, had sent his right-hand man, the vice chairman himself.Blaine Laber found himself at a loss for words, observing Xoan leisurely reading with his legs crossed."Mr. Xoan Warren, hello. I represent the Rabasco Group—""Mr. Laber, I've heard much about you. Feel free to sit down, no need for formalities."Xoan spoke with a serenity that echoed the clarity and warmth of a gentle stream.Blaine, though not intimately familiar with Xoan, was well aware of his repu
"I won't argue with that, but maybe you shouldn't be too sure of yourself."Yaslyn shook her head slightly. "Look, we're not here to hash out personal issues today. We need to discuss the Warren Group's acquisition."Yerick waved his hand, inviting her to continue. "Lay out your terms. If they're within my reach, I'll do my best to meet them.""Fourteen billion dollars."Yerick's expression turned pale at the mention of the figure. "Fourteen billion? Isn't that asking for the moon?"Xoan shrugged. "The Warren Group might be on shaky ground, but it's still valued at around forty-two billion. I'm only asking for a third of that. It’s a fair deal for you."The Warren Group was a gold mine. With the right management, it could rake in much more than fourteen billion dollars a year.However, scraping together fourteen billion dollar in cash was not as easy as he had thought. Even for the mighty Rabasco Group, it was a tough task.Yerick set down his pen, his eyes reflecting a storm o
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi