Youri merely wanted to rattle Yaslyn, to show her she was not someone to mess with.Youri snatched the contract back and ripped it down the middle. "If that's how it is, we're done here."Yaslyn's smile did not waver. "If you go through with this, I'm sure you'll come to regret it."Youri reclined, feigning nonchalance. "Is that so? And why's that?""Because without Lukesh Company, Linton Group's chip game won't get any further."Youri nearly laughed out loud. "You make it sound so easy! Sure, Lukesh Company's got a game, but it's not like Linton Group can't grow without you."Yaslyn's confidence was sky-high."We'll see who's talking nonsense soon enough."She rose from her seat. "There's more to the chip world than just Linton Group."Youri's smile faded as she leveled her gaze at Yaslyn. "I'm well aware, but as it stands, you're short a partner."Yaslyn whipped around, her face a mask of cool indifference. "What? Do I look scared to you?"Annoyance flared within Youri. Ya
Kadesha had a point.Quigley was a big deal—a name everyone knew on the rich list and the most eligible bachelor around. The line of women wanting to marry him would stretch from Jefferson City to Montena.Sure, Kadesha was cute and all. Still, she was not the kind to make a guy fall head over heels at first sight or someone people would go crazy over.When things did not add up, sometimes it was best to stop trying to make sense of them. Yaslyn told her to take it easy. She had taken care of everything, booked the tickets, and whisked her back to the capital—to dodge the drama for a while.Kadesha stood at the threshold of the Carden family home, her heart thrumming with a nervousness she could not quite explain.It had been years, and the butterflies in her stomach were undeniable. Even the sight of the once-familiar house seemed oddly alien to her.Yaslyn gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "This is your home. Just walk in with your head held high."Yaslyn had informed Brad t
Yaslyn felt her heart sinking. She made this journey for the Carden family's support, only to be turned down flat by Brad.The thought alone was enough to give her a headache.Of course, Brad could not stand to see her so defeated. "Don't worry too much," he said gently. "There's always a way out of a jam, isn't there?""But the group is under a lot of pressure right now, and we're running out of time," she replied."Do you have any other options?"Brad's words struck her as wishful thinking. If she had any other options, she would not have made the long trek to the capital.At that moment, Kadesha, who had been brooding beside them, spoke up with unexpected calmness. "Maybe, just maybe, I do have something."Yaslyn understood what Kadesha was hinting at, but she was not ready to jump at the suggestion."Quigley might be able to help you with this."Sure, the Jentsch family had made their mark in tech, but Yaslyn had not planned on asking for Quigley's help.She had toyed wit
"Why don't you love me anymore? What's with the sudden change?" Zyra was in shock. She had this nagging feeling that he was keeping secrets and lying to her.Tyler, looking both hurried and irritated, gestured dismissively. "I've told you already. Stop bothering me. Can you do that?"Without waiting for her response, he walked away with long, decisive steps.Behind him, Zyra's fists were clenched as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. "Tyler, can't you just be straight with me? I deserve a reason."Even if his feelings had changed and he wanted her gone, she deserved a proper explanation. Love was not supposed to end this abruptly."I have no reasons to give you.""Tyler!" A sense of despair was threatening to overwhelm Zyra. "Do you even realize what you're throwing away?""We're done."Zyra looked up, her eyes echoing her disbelief. "What did you just say?""I said we're done. Is that not clear?" Tyler had never been this short-tempered, and Zyra was so startled that sh
"I'm okay, Rafael."However, no matter how hard she tried to steady her thoughts and her heart, to pretend everything was normal, the tears would not obey. They just kept coming.Rafael stood by, feeling utterly powerless. She would not reveal the reason to herself, much less accept any comfort from him. All he could do was gently pat her shoulder and hand her tissues, one after another."You have to stay positive. Life's still full of beautiful things. You have to keep looking ahead."Zyra forced a smile, her voice laced with sorrow. "Beautiful? Why doesn't it feel that way to me?"Two relationships, both had crumbled to dust. She felt like she was cursed when it came to love, as if she had a deep grudge against it. She had not done anything wrong nor had she committed any terrible acts. Why, then, did these things keep happening to her? The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt.Rafael was not clueless. Hearing her words and knowing her usual demeanor, he could
Yaslyn, too, sensed the gravity of the situation. Her expression hardened."We need to figure out where this kid comes from. It's like someone's gone to great lengths to bury his past, and we can't dig up a thing." She had a hunch there was more to this than what was on the surface."I agree." Xoan nodded.However, Yaslyn could not shake off how bizarre it all was. "We've got the kid's address right here. How about we swing by and ask a few questions?"It turned out the boy lived a stone's throw from the Warrens."We're free today, so why not head out now?" Xoan got up, keys in hand, ready to hit the road.What he did not see coming was the figure at the door, someone who had no business being there."Sadie?"At the name, Yaslyn tensed up.There stood Youri, unfazed by Xoan's shock. "Sir, you've got the wrong person."Xoan's gut screamed otherwise. The girl before him, though slightly altered in presence, was Sadie through and through, from her looks to that unmistakable vibe
Yaslyn decided to join Xoan in seeking out the little boy named Caleb.After their conversation with Youri, Yaslyn was more convinced than ever that they needed to track down that little boy swiftly. He might just have the answers they were looking for.Their place was not too far from the Warrens', but getting there was like navigating a maze. They drove in circles for over an hour before finally arriving.As they stepped out of the car, they both scrunched their noses at the sight of the run-down neighborhood. It did not add up. Jimera did not strike them as someone strapped for cash, so why was she holed up in this shabby, out-of-the-way spot?"Maybe...she's not here because she's broke but because it's off the beaten path and safer," he guessed. Yaslyn figured he was probably right. The way they kept dodging looks meant they had to be scared. Scared of being found, most likely.What was Jimera so afraid of? The whole thing was a puzzle Yaslyn was itching to solve.They trudge
Yaslyn and Xoan could not believe their ears. Jimera's claim was so outlandish that they wondered if she was out of her mind."What are you talking about? How on earth could the child be his?"Yaslyn's brow furrowed. "Are you okay? You seem off."Jimera could not help but laugh. "Isn't this what you've been dying to find out?"Yaslyn was speechless.She had been curious, sure, but she did not need to invent such a ludicrous story. "And what proof do you have that the child is Xoan's?" she challenged.Jimera looked down, her voice heavy with defeat. "Proof? I've told you the truth. What more do you want from me?"Xoan watched her as a sinking feeling in his gut. She did not look like she was lying. Could it be true after all?Yaslyn stared at him, her mind reeling. The words sounded so far-fetched.Xoan could not have been secretly dealing with Jimera. She was sure of it. Yet Jimera's words rang with a certain truth that was hard to dismiss."How did this child come to be?"J
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