Elena couldn't sense anything unusual and thought that Maia was praising Errol."Sis, you're amazing too! Both of you are amazing!""The apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Maia gracefully responded, smiling throughout.Elena quickly gave Maia a thumbs up. "That's right!"Maia looked at Elena, still wearing a smile. "Elena, is helping Errol at the winery the life you want?"Upon hearing Maia's question, Elena's expression became slightly tense. "Why are you suddenly asking this?"Maia looked at Elena, noticing her nervousness. She remained composed and said, "I feel that you might have your own dreams, other things you want to do. Helping Errol manage the winery like this... could you be sacrificing your own desires?"Elena immediately shook her head. "Sis, no! I've been well taken care of since I was young, protected by my parents. I don't have big dreams. My dream is to spend my life with the man I love. Now, being able to help at the winery is also realizing my own value.
âI came here for you.â The wine glass in Elenaâs hands fell to the floor when she heard that. A loud crash could be heard as it shattered upon impact. Slowly coming back to her senses, Elena looked at Maia and signed, âHow clumsy of me. The wine glass slipped from my hand.â In an attempt to mask her panic, she bent down to pick up the shattered pieces. Maia squinted at Elenaâs unusual reaction. She took a few steps forward and stopped Elena, âLeave it. You might cut your hand. You can ask the servants to clean up later.ââItâll be fine, Maia.â Elena picked up the pieces of glass and threw them into the trash can at the side, âYou donât come here often and yet I broke a wine glass in front of you. I hope you wonât tell Errol about this. He loved it.âMaia nodded, âDonât worry. I wonât tell him about it.ââI was just having a taste of the Lamenting Raven. Theyâre going to be put on shelves soon. Here. You can have a taste of it too!âThe Lamenting Raven? Maia sneered. Perhaps s
Elena was so shocked that her eyes turned red. She had lived a sheltered life. How was she supposed to handle such intimidation? With that said, Elena was also the kind of stubborn person who would not let up until they were backed to the corner. She still would not come clean.Maia would love the chance to question Errol. First, it was Celia. Now, it was Elena. What kind of charm did he use to make them fall in love with them and obey his every order, even to the point of dying for him? Suddenly, a streak of lightning flashed across the dark sky. The rain poured as the thunder rumbled. Errol, who had been about to take a flight and leave Prismara, was stopped by an old man at the airport. âMr. Errol.ââWhat are you doing here, Jimmy?â Errol was surprised to see him.Jimmy nodded slightly and said, âThat shouldnât be your concern right now. You should direct your concern to whatâs going down at the winery.ââHuh?â Errol was puzzled. Jimmy said again, âMaia knows who you a
âThe high fever didnât turn me into a mute, Maia. Iâve always been able to talk. Have I been doing a good job keeping it under wraps all these years?ââYouâve hidden it well. You fooled all of us!â Maia looked at Errol coldly. She was scanning her surroundings with her peripheral visions, searching for an object she could wield!Errol laughed again. âYou arenât too bad yourself, either. I canât believe you tried to divert me away from Prismara. You fooled your own flesh and blood.ââDoes that word still mean anything to you? Do you know how insane you are, doing what you did? Weâre no longer family, Errol!â Maia uttered each world with such certainty. Then, she grabbed a wine bottle and smashed Errol with it!A loud crash could be heard when the wine bottle connected with his head. Blood dripped from his forehead.âSurround them!âErrol gave the order and six bodyguards dashed at Maia and Elena under the cover of the darkness and the rain. They had them surrounded. Maia stuffed
In a private plane that was en route to Prismara, a sudden pain got hold of Cedricâs chest. It felt as if someone was grabbing his heart and tightening their grip slowly. The pain in his chest was excruciating. He felt as if his heart was about to be crushed!His life was in someone elseâs hands, it seemed!Holding his chest, Cedric found it hard to breathe. Baz, who was sitting on the other side, rushed to him. âWhatâs the matter, Mr. Cedric?â he asked hurriedly, concerned about his master. Cedric frowned and asked coldly, âHow long until we arrive at Prismara?â Baz checked the time and said immediately, âAbout forty-five minutes.ââOkay.â Cedric shut his eyes, sweat forming on his forehead. Baz did not understand where all of this came from. He asked his master in the same concerned tone, âShould we get you a doctor, Mr. Cedric?ââIt isnât necessary.âHe had experienced this excruciating pain before. The last time it occurred, she was trapped in the raging fire. He was t
The ravishing lady sat on Errolâs lap, wrapped her arms around him, and rested her chin on his shoulders when he sat down. Elena lowered her head and cried silently when she saw it. Her tears dropped on Maiaâs hands. They were hot.âWatch out.â Maia helped her sit on the carpet. There were bandages wrapped around her leg. Obviously, she had just undergone surgery. Maia fought through the pain and rose after she had settled Elena. She looked at Errol and asked, âAre you the head of the Cawing Raven?âErrol nodded. âIn the flesh.â He looked entirely different from the Errol she used to know. Maia looked at him, vigilant. She asked again, âWho was Dr. Erwin to you?ââIt looks like you know quite a bit, Maia. Itâs impressive enough that you found out about the Cawing Raven. How is it that you know about my master as well?â Errol was quite surprised. He flashed a smile at her.âIs Dr. Erwin really your master? How did you get involved with someone like him?ââI had nothing to l
Errol sneered, âTo be fair to you, even though weâre not siblings, but we're still related. I think I should call you my cousin instead.âMaia had never felt so shocked in her life as she listened to Errolâs confessions. Rosa was kind to him. She had even treated him as her own. Yet, he only saw this as sympathy and wanted nothing but revenge on her!Maia could only clench her fists tighter as she was filled with utter hatred toward him. âYou really are a madman!ââAm I? I have had my eyes opened to the truth, but I couldnât say the same for you. Have you forgotten about Celia? She was acting like someone crazy, all thanks to me. She even jumped off the building when I told her to!â Errol laughed maniacally. Tess had nothing to do with Celiaâs death. It was him all along! Maia was shocked at this discovery. Elena started to shiver in fear as she heard this. âYou used Celia as your lab rat and even caused her death! Did you have anything to do with her being raped?ââOf course,
Maia tried to stop him, but she had no strength left to do it. She could only watch as it happened right before her eyes. Elena had given up putting up a fight. She had given up all hope. Maia was not sure what exactly had Errol showed her, however, she was sure that it was about Elenaâs parents. Maia yelled for Errol to stop but to no avail. He only stopped when someone came in and informed him that La Rouquetteâs manager was here to discuss the increase in their wine orders. Errol nodded as he released the unconscious Elena. Errol then turned to his beautiful escort and instructed, âTake Maia to test the drug. Leave Elena here.ââLeave her here? Are you planning to keep the baby?â The woman asked.âThatâs right, youâre so smart.â Errol gave her a twisted smile. âI want to see how the drug affects a woman whoâs more than 5 months pregnant. I donât need to how it works on a more recent pregnancy as Celia had already given me the results.ââMr. Errol, youâre brilliant! We donât
Amanda came to sit next to Maia as she said, âIâm glad youâve noticed this as well. Lauren is usually quite into the drama that sheâs watching on TV. Todayâs episode was a sad one, so I was wondering why she was still so happy watching it.â Lauren smiled back at them and replied, âIâm just really happy. Iâve never thought that Iâd be able to see my eldest son again and that he has such a kind and beautiful wife by his side. âEddie was also able to find his loved one, and I was lucky enough to be a grandmother. I never thought that Iâd be able to go on a family trip with all my sons.â She started to tear up.âLauren, donât cry,â Maia said as she handed Lauren a handkerchief to dry her tears. Lauren wiped her tears as she smiled and nodded. âDonât worry about me. Iâm just being dramatic.â She looked around and asked, âWhereâs Cedric? Is he with Eddie?âMaia nodded. âYeah. This new project is a bit of a hassle, so he went over to try to help.â Lauren sighed, âEddieâs father an
Cedric just smiled when he saw Maiaâs worried reaction. âYou sure youâll keep your promise?â Maia tugged the blanket closer to herself and nodded. Maia would not dare to say no. If Cedric decided to do as he had said, she would just end up in bed the whole morning. âWe can register our marriage anytime. You mean it?â She knew that Cedric was just baiting her, but she had no choice. She did not know what he would do next. When she glanced at his handsome face, her heart could not help but skip a beat. Just then, Cedric took out two pieces of paper from the bedside drawer. Maia was taken aback as she saw the document. They were marriage registration forms, and they were already filled in. âT-This was a setup! Youâve already had this all planned out from the beginning!â Maia scanned through the forms and was surprised to see that the only section left empty was the signature. Maia did not know when Cedric had started to prepare all this, but it looked like it had been a whil
Cedric glanced at Baz and asked, âHow does it feel to miss someone so much?âBazâs smile froze as he shook his head quickly. âNow, I can finally understand why you hate being separated from Ms. Maia.âCedric just looked at Baz coldly. Baz quickly added when he noticed Cedricâs glare, âIâm just saying that you love your wife very much, and that man whoâs like you would definitely understand.ââThatâs a fact,â Cedric replied as he turned around and walked back into the bedroom. Baz immediately stopped him as he asked. âMr. Cedric, why donât you tell Ms. Maia the real reason why youâre so against calling Ms. Lauren your mother? Why didnât you tell her the scars on your back were inflicted by Ms. Rita?â It was a horrible and unimaginable part of his childhood. âI donât want to frighten her.ââBut itâs difficult for you as well, Mr. Cedric. Calling Ms. Lauren your mother brings back horrible memories for you too.â âIt doesnât matter. Iâll do anything for her.â Cedric replied as he
âIs that true?â Gigi asked her grandmother.Lauren nodded and said, âOf course it is. Has grandma ever lied to you?ââWow! Grandma, what was Daddy like when he was a kid?â Gigi was excited. She was not sleepy anymore as she pestered Lauren to tell her more. âWhenever I brought him to attend events, he would always cry. I still remember he had wet his pants once in kindergarten.â Gigi covered her mouth and giggled happily. Amanda laughed and looked at Eddie. âDid you really wet your pants?âEddie palmed his forehead and told his mother, âStop embarrassing me in front of my daughter, Mom.â Lauren just smiled happily back at her son. At the same time, Maia tugged on the hem of Cedricâs shirt and questioned cheekily, âDid you wet your pants when you were a kid?â Cedric drew her into his arms in response and threatened, âMaia, it seems like you wonât be able to go to bed tonight.â âIâm not afraid of your empty threats,â Maia replied. âAre you sure about that?âMaia nod
It was hard to believe heâd change his mind out of nowhere. She blinked and gawked at him. She almost forgot to breathe because of the sheer shock. Her face turned red from it, too. âHey, breathe.â Cedric frowned. He realized her eyes were widening and her cheeks were completely reddened. Then, her lungs worked, and she started drawing breath again. She gripped the hem of his shirt instinctively. âHmm?â Cocking his brow, he looked at her casually while taking her hands in his. âDo you want to know why I changed my mind?âShe nodded immediately. Needless to say, she wanted to spring that question on him, but she wondered if she should. On the other hand, he merely chuckled and didnât say anything. All he did was fix a deep, passionate stare at her. His eyes were filled with love and affection when he did it. Realizing that he wasnât going to talk, she was bewildered. âW-Why arenât you saying anything?âHis grin widened at what she said. Reaching out, he pinched her fair ch
Taking his hands, she rested her fair cheeks on his palm.âIs there another reason you did it?â She asked. âI had someone plant something in the painting.ââWhat do you mean?â She pressed.âA wire.âThen, it hit her. âD-Does this mean you knew Fidelia would buy the painting at all costs?ââMm-hmm.â He nodded.Pursing her lips, she said, âI guess it tracks. After all, Fidelia will surely buy anything you donate to Nordic College. She loves you so much that she peeled an entire bowl of prawns for you.ââDo peeling prawns mean she loves me?â He cocked his brow.She nodded instinctively.âWell, then. Do you know how much I love you now?âMaia was initially pondering something, but she was scattered the moment she heard what he said!Her face turned red. She couldnât decide if she should nod or shake her head now. The only thing she could do now was change the topic. âWait a minute. I just asked Gigi to bid on it. Did I almost mess up your plan?â Her brows were furrowed. She
âMaia!â Amanda called out to her and hastened over. âD-Did you just say I was already on trending search?ââMm-hmm.â Nodding, she handed her phone to Amanda. Amanda saw the search topic âAmanda Tate Burst Out Laughing.â and was rooted to the spot.âH-Howâs this already up there?âMaia chuckled. âThere are so many people in the dining hall. Thereâs no way you can keep it from spreading on the internet for long. Even Gigi and Eddie got on the trending search. They were right behind you. âValentines Group has also started working on the public relations angle. I browsed the internet and didnât find any overly vicious remarks either. None of the marketing accounts were trying to stir up trouble either. All of Gigiâs pictures were censored as well. So, thereâs nothing to be worried about here.âAmanda let out a sigh of relief at what she said. âItâs a good thing that no one attacked Gigi on the internet. Otherwise, Iâm going to start chasing them with a machete thatâs one foot long!
âWhy, you!â Fidelia took the glass of fruit juice from the table and spilled it all over him!The sticky juices clung to his cheeks for a second before rolling down them.âListen up, plastic face! It doesnât matter if I canât lay a finger on Maia because Cedric loves and protects her. It isnât your place to make fun of me! Who do you think you are, Neilson? âYouâre nothing more than my familyâs lap dog. Look at how stiff your face is. Youâve wasted a perfectly good glass of fruit juice!âStaring at him angrily, Fidelia warned him nastily. She was so gripped with rage that her chest was rising and falling hastily. Then, she gritted her teeth and threw the empty glass at him.Catching the glass midair, he lowered his head. âYou make a fine point, Ms. Fidelia.â Wiping the fruit juice from his cheeks, he apologized again. âPlease calm down, Ms. Fidelia. You have to look at where we are now. Itâd be wise not to make Mr. Thomas mad again.ââAre you seriously warning me again? Who do
Maia made up a reason so Amanda could take Gigi away. Amanda nodded, carried her daughter, and left the scene. All Gigi did was speak the truth, but Fideliaâs face grew grim and shot the three-year-old girl a terrible look. It was clear that Fidelia might do something outrageous to Gigi again if she didnât divert her attention from the little girl. After all, Fidelia didnât care about the consequences of her actions at all!So, she looked at Fidelia and said, âIâm not sure why you kept trying to win my husbandâs heart, but Iâve been sitting here the whole time. Are you ignoring me on purpose? Or, are you so arrogant that you care only about Cedric and nobody else?âFidelia immediately shifted her gaze to Maia. Glaring at her, she directed all of her anger and frustration at Maia. âWhat are you trying to say, Maia? My dad saved Cedricâs life. So, is there anything wrong with me peeling the shrimp for him? Whatâs the problem if I try to win his heart? What does it have to do with