"Oh, the thing you asked me to look into? I got the goods," Wade said, noticing Yaslyn's troubled look and choosing his words carefully."Jimera was certainly in a car crash on the way to the airport. The twist? It was a hit-and-run with a truck that had no plates. Witnesses say the truck was running on empty. The driver bailed out before the crash even happened.""Did they check the cameras around there?"Wade shook his head. "For some reason, every single camera on that stretch was out of commission that day.""No cameras, so no proof, huh?""It's not that there's no proof. It's just that any evidence we might dig up is likely to be a dead end. We can forget about getting to the source of it all."Yaslyn felt her hope drain away. "Got it. If there's nothing else, you should head back to the office.""Actually, Yaslyn, I did find something else.""What's that?""The last place that driver was seen? A coffee shop right by the Linton Group."Yaslyn squinted. "Got it."At the
'Remember when I was practically a goner overseas, stuck in that coma? I was on death's doorstep, but I bounced back to life out of nowhere. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Maybe Buddha's got a plan for me. He wants me around to wash away all that bitterness in my soul.''And to make the ones who hurt me pay their dues, right?'Three days had passed. Youri's words were still looping in Yaslyn's head.Their last chat had ended on bad terms, and Yaslyn knew she could not touch her momentarily. She had to walk away from the Linton Group, at least for a while.However, that sentence haunted Yaslyn, the nagging thought that Youri was up to something even more despicable.That afternoon, her phone buzzed in the middle of a meeting. It was Zyra calling, and Yaslyn could not ignore it. She muttered an apology and stepped out of the conference room.Zyra would not disrupt her without good reason. Something was up.As soon as Yaslyn picked up, Zyra's sobs filled her ear. "Yaslyn, life just
"What happened next?"Yaslyn had a hunch that Xantara was spilling Zyra's drama."Our lawyer cut her off. The reason? His high school sweetheart waltzed back into his life. The kicker is that my friend could be her twin—talk about being a replacement."Xantara's voice dripped with sympathy. "You wouldn't believe how stunning and sweet my friend is. They were practically at the altar when his old flame showed up and stole the spotlight.""Did your friend ever try to reach out to him?"Xantara shook her head sorrowfully. "A hopeless romantic like her? Of course, she tried, but what good did it do? Our lawyer wouldn't give her the time of day. You should've seen her. She camped out at our firm's doorstep for days, but he just dodged her, refusing to face her."Yaslyn could feel her blood boiling the more she listened. "So, what's the deal now?"Xantara, sensing Yaslyn's brewing storm, got to the point. "Now, our lawyer's engaged to his old flame, and it looks like wedding bells are
Tyler led Yaslyn to a secluded fountain in the villa's lush garden.She studied Tyler's stoic face and could no longer hold back her question. "Why did you end things with Zyra?"Tyler met her gaze and replied calmly, "Isn't it clear enough from what you've seen?""Did you really dump her just because an old flame reappeared?"He remained silent."Can't even own up to it, huh? That's pretty spineless."Yaslyn had a whole arsenal of insults ready, but his lack of defense threw her off. She could not fathom how Tyler, once so loving and attentive to Zyra, could discard her without a second thought.Her frustration boiled over, and her face was etched with fury when she looked up again. "Well? Why so silent?""I don't see the point in talking."His look said it all. The conversation was a waste of his time.Catching the flicker of annoyance in his eyes, Yaslyn let out a rueful chuckle. "Tyler, have you really forgotten everything you felt for her?""Stop talking about it.""Ty
Yaslyn had not seen it coming. The infection had wreaked havoc. Each of the company's venues was hit, and the market sank into a slump.At Monday's meeting, worry was etched on every face. It was clear they were all feeling the weight of those troubled times."Everyone's seen the state we're in. Any bright ideas on how to fix this mess?" Yaslyn asked, looking around the room.The girl sitting across from her let out a sigh and shook her head. "It's a no-go. This crisis hit us like a freight train, and now we're stuck with our hands tied."Her words set off a wave of agreement."Tell me about it. I've been wracking my brain and coming up empty.""This isn't going to mess with our growth, is it?" "Mess with it? More like putting a full stop to a bunch of our plans." "So, where's our paycheck going to come from?""Are we looking at a shutdown?""Cut it out with the doom and gloom, will you? Our company's not going under."As the chatter continued, Yaslyn cleared her throat to
Brad stretched out leisurely. "What's the rush to send me packing? Scared, I'll try something? Don't worry. I'm a man of honor. I wouldn't dream of doing anything without your permission."Roselyn's blood pressure shot up. "It's not that. Isn't it rude for a stranger to barge into a woman's home?""Stranger? Get it straight. I'm your boss."He had a point. He was Yaslyn's kin, and she had made him her deputy. Calling him her boss was not a stretch."It's not time to clock in yet."Brad glanced at his watch and clicked his tongue. "It's only a quarter to eight. We've still got a good forty-five minutes before the grind begins.""Close enough, isn't it?"Roselyn was at her wit's end with him. "What will it take for you to get out of here?""Getting me to leave is easy," Brad said as he got up and walked to her."How about a kiss?"Brad puckered up, inching his face closer to hers. Roselyn's patience snapped, and her hand flew up, connecting with his cheek in a sharp slap.The
He might not have grasped her worries previously, but he got the picture upon one look at Roselyn's face.He raised an eyebrow, exuding a confident, almost cocky vibe. "Don't worry, I've got you covered."It sounded like something straight out of a cheesy soap opera, but Roselyn could not help but feel reassured. "Well, thanks for that, but no thanks."Roselyn rolled her eyes, a gesture that was new to Brad. She used to be so distant and reserved then, but she showed signs of softening—becoming more human.He would never have caught her in such a candid moment. However, love was blind, and even her eye-rolling was endearing to Brad.Brad straightened up, all earnest like a model student. "I'm stuck here with you, huh? I could pay you rent every month, you know."Roselyn's heart sank even further at those words. "Every single month? I'm dying for this lockdown to end in a few days just so you can get lost."Brad shook his head. "That's not happening. Looks like we're in for the l
Brad entered with a glass of the green concoction, and Roselyn quickly made herself comfortable on the bed."Something wrong? Were you reaching for something? Don't worry about it. Just tell me what you need, and I'll take care of it," he said, his voice a gentle caress compared to its usual firmness."It's nothing, I was just..."Roselyn faltered, her words trailing off."If it's nothing, then try some of this," Brad suggested, handing her the glass with a towel draped over it."It's fresh. Take your time."She nodded, accepting the glass. "Thank you," she replied softly."Don't mention it," he replied with a warm smile.Brad's hand moved to her hair before he caught himself, the touch too tender, too close. He felt her tense up instantly."Okay, if you're good, just try to get some rest."Roselyn shot him a look and reluctantly said, "Your buddies asked you to game, right? Don't worry about me. You don't have to stick around.""And leave you here when you're feeling off? N
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