MasukLooking shocked and confused. Elias looked at the little woman that had just fallen asleep in his arms.
He was just about leaving the club when this woman came crashing into him. He had a lot going tonight and this lady was not part of the agenda. Letting out a long sigh he tried to wake her,but the more he tried the more she snuggled deep into his hands. " Where the hell did you come from little one" he pocked her cheek while staring down at her. He had to get rid of her as soon as possible because he couldnt be caught up in any scandal now,that will be bad for the company. But the lady in his arms seemed to be comfortable sleeping in his arms without a care in this world. He remembered the last thing she said before passing out,"marry me".What would have prompted her to make such a statement. Staring down at her sleeping face,she looked so small and her cheeks were flushed red probably from the alcohol,her face looked so innocent and fragile,one that will make any man want to hide and protect her from the world. On a normal day he wouldn't let any woman close to him let alone touching him,but this stranger on his arm seemed different,he didn't feel disgusted by her touch instead he felt like protecting her from whatever made her to be in this state. Still lost in thoughts on what to do with her his men came running towards him. "Boss,the old man called. He asked..." The man stopped talking when he realised the lady on his boss arms. "Mathew..you were saying?" Elias said to him when he saw he was distracted. "Yes...he seeks your presence at his quarters now" Mathew continued still looking at the woman on his arms. Mathew was Elias right hand man. He was assigned to him by his father when he turned 15 and since then he was always with him wherever he goes. "Mhhm... tell grandfather that I'll see him tomorrow not now" Elias said while he began to walk slowly with the woman on his arms. "Alright sir. And what about her?" Mathew asked referring to the woman in his arms. Elias stopped in his tracks."prepare the car... she's going with us" he said and continued walking towards the entrance. He couldn't bare to leave her in a place like this..not in her current state. Mathew was shocked and surprised at the same time. He has never seen his boss close to any woman since the incident that occurred. He signalled for the guards to prepare the car while he ran to catch up with Elias. "At least let me carry her" he insisted. "Never mind... I can manage" Elias turned him down. By the time they got outside the car was already waiting for them. Elias placed Ava at the back seat and sat next to her, while Mathew got in at the front seat with the driver. " Where to sir?" Mathew asked him. "Drive to the penthouse" Elias said. He wasn't going to take a stranger to his villa. He rested his head and closed his eyes, giving no room for Mathew to ask any further questions. They got to the penthouse that was located in the city's only five star hotel,the hotel was under Ward industries. When they got inside the penthouse, Elias took Ava straight to the bath tub. He turned on the shower and let it pour on her to at least make her sober up. The water made her clothes wet and now they clung tight to her body revealing her small frame. She had curves just at the right place with a very tiny waist,her wet hair fell on her face that looked very smooth and soft. For a moment he seemed drawn to her but quickly got himself back. He quickly turned to go out when she drew him back subconsciously,he lost his balance and fell towards her,his lips just inches away from hers. He could feel her breath on his cheeks. Her chest pressed slightly to his, the only thing separating them was the clothes they wore. He could feel a part of his body becoming hard. "Little one..are you trying to seduce me" he said while steadying himself up. He carried her with her wet clothes to the bed then sat down on a chair to rest,it was almost day break. Just few hours he rested ,he heard some sounds coming from the bed,turns out she was now awake. Ava woke up with a throbbing headache,she realised her clothes were wet and she was in a strange place. That was when she recalled the event that happened the previous day. The last thing she remembered was running into a man and she became unconscious. She sat up straight and looked by her side and she saw a man who was asleep on the chair close to the bed. He must be the one that carried her here. She was a bit scared,she had to get out of that place immediately. Her sudden movement woke the man on the chair. He turned and looked at her. "You're awake" Elias said and sat straight. "Where am I and who are you" Ava asked him while trying to hide her fear. "Don't worry I didn't do anything to you.. even if I had the chance" he said with a smirk on his face. "You came running into my arms at the club last night, so I decided to help you out of my will. You should be thanking me, you wouldn't want to imagine what could have happened to you in that state if I had left you alone" Elias said while he picked up his jacket which he removed earlier. Ava just sat still on the bed, trying to calm herself down and recollect all that happened. She couldn't see his face clearly cause the room was a bit dark. " I've covered all the expenses on the room and you can leave whenever you want to... I'll be taking my leave now" Elias said while he walked towards the door. "At least can you tell me who you are or your name so I can thank you properly?"Ava asked just before he stepped out. He paused in his track and said without turning to her. "That won't be necessary... you can thank me properly when you see me again" he replied and walked out leaving her alone in the room.The moment Jeff left the Lin residence, the atmosphere inside became chaotic. Clara stood frozen for only a few seconds before panic fully settled in.“What is wrong with him?!” she said as She snatched the divorce papers from her mother’s hand angrily, flipping through them again as if hoping the words would somehow change. But they didn’t. Every page remained the same, official and real.“He can’t divorce me over something this small!”Rose looked at her daughter carefully. “This didn’t start today, Clara.”Clara looked up sharply. “So you’re blaming me too now?”Rose sighed tiredly.“I’m asking what exactly you did to push him this far.”Clara scoffed immediately. “I didn’t do anything.”Rose gave her a look. “A married woman publicly embarrassing herself over another man isn’t ‘nothing.’”“That’s not what happened!”“But it’s what everyone saw.”Clara’s expression twisted with frustration. “Why is everyone acting like I committed a crime?”.“Because your marriage is falling
The atmosphere inside the Lin residence was tense long before Jeff arrived. Clara sat restlessly on the couch,l with irritation written all over her face as she vented angrily to her mother.“I’m telling you, Mom, I can’t keep living like this.”Rose sat opposite her quietly, listening while sipping tea. Ever since Clara arrived that morning, she hadn’t stopped complaining.“Jeff has become unbearable,” Clara continued bitterly. “Every single conversation now is about money.”Rose raised an eyebrow slightly. “Well, his company is struggling.”“That’s not my fault!” Clara snapped immediately and crossed her arms tightly. “He complains anytime I buy anything now. Even yesterday he started calculating how much I spend weekly.”Her face twisted in disgust as she continued, “Can you imagine?”Rose looked at her carefully and said,“And what exactly do you expect him to do?”Clara stared at her mother in disbelief. “You’re taking his side?”“I’m being realistic.”Clara scoffed loudly.
By the time Clara returned home, she looked like a disaster. Her hair was damp and sticky from spilled drinks, her makeup ruined, and her expensive dress clung awkwardly to her body. But none of that compared to the rage burning inside her.The humiliation at the lounge replayed endlessly in her mind.The way people stared and laughed and also the whispers. And worst of all the way Elias had looked at her cold and disgusted as though she were something beneath him.Clara stormed into the living room and threw her handbag violently onto the couch.“This is all her fault!” Her voice echoed through the house. She paced furiously, her heels striking harshly against the floor.“Ava!” Her face twisted with hatred as she shouted. “Everything is because of that pathetic girl!”The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. To her, Ava had ruined everything,Stolen attention and power. And now even Elias Ward had humiliated her publicly because of Ava.Clara clenched her fists tigh
The moment Clara reached their table, the atmosphere shifted very obviously. She carried herself with calculated confidence with every step deliberate and every movement designed to attract attention and it did get attention. Several eyes in the lounge followed her immediately.Her dress was tight and revealing far more than elegance required, hugging her figure provocatively. It was the kind of outfit meant to tempt and provoke reactions especially from men. Raymond noticed it instantly and nearly sighed out loud.Married woman behavior, he thought dryly.But Clara didn’t even glance at him because her entire focus was on Elias. She stopped beside him with a bright smile.“Mr. Ward.” she said smiling.Elias barely looked up,his attention remained on the drink in his hand. This slight dismissal irritated Clara immediately but she forced her smile to remain intact.“You probably remember me,” she continued smoothly. “I’m Clara.” but there was Still no reaction.Her smile stiffen
The soft sound of jazz drifted through the lounge while city lights shimmered beyond the glass walls. Unlike the noisy clubs Raymond usually preferred, this place was quieter and more private. A favorite spot for businessmen and powerful people who wanted peace without attention,the type of place that Elias preferred.Elias sat comfortably on one of the leather chairs while a glass of whiskey rested untouched in his hand. Across from him, Raymond leaned back lazily, looking far more relaxed than usual.“For someone about to join the police force officially,” Elias said calmly, “you seem unusually free.”Raymond grinned immediately. “Enjoying my last days of peace.”Elias shook his head faintly. “You got transferred already?” he asked.“Mm.” Raymond nodded. “The approval finally came through.”“When do you resume?”“Next week.”Elias gave a slight nod. “That fast?” he saidRaymond laughed softly. “You sound disappointed.”“I’m questioning the judgment of the people hiring you.” E
Clara’s morning began with shouting again.The sound of a glass breaking against the wall still echoed faintly in the living room as she stood with her arms crossed, glaring at Jeff.“You’re unbelievable!”Jeff dragged a frustrated hand through his hair, exhaustion written all over his face.For the past few days, the pressure surrounding his company had become unbearable. Stocks kept on falling,investors were withdrawing, partnerships suddenly hesitant. Ever since Ward Industries pulled out of the deal everything had spiraled faster than he expectedHe barely slept anymore or ate. And Clara instead of helping only made things worse.“You spent almost half a million in one week, Clara!” Jeff shouted in annoyance.She scoffed immediately. “So now you’re counting money in my face?”Jeff laughed bitterly.“Because there’s barely any left to count!”This made Clara’s expression darken instantly.“How dare you speak to me like that?”“How dare you act like nothing is happening?” Jeff s







