Back to the present.At Grand's Enterprises Headquarters."They've started?" Nicholas asked George."I think so," George replied with a knowing smile. "They started the meeting an hour early. Panicking."Nicholas smirked and pushed the door open quietly.All the people in the meeting room, who were busy arguing with each other, stared at Nicholas who had just arrived."Why did you just come?" asked Andy Grand, Nicholas' father. He is upset."Wasn't the meeting notice for eight? It's only eight minutes past seven," Nicholas said calmly. "I have other work to be done."Andy snorted. What his son said was true and he knew very well that Nicholas was a punctual person."This is the third project the Big Construction Firm has taken from us. All they took was the big projects.""They can offer lower prices than us because they also have metal factories, so that becomes a subsidy for development.""It isn't just the bid!" Andy said. "From what I have gathered, the Big Construction Firm offe
"I'll accompany you," Nathalie said, grabbing her bag. "I'm ready."Nicholas's brows furrowed. "What do you mean, you'll accompany me? Didn't you promise to accompany your father for a check-up today?""The time has been postponed until tomorrow," Nathalie answered lightly. "I'll visit him after you finish therapy."Nicholas shook his head, "But therapy will--""Come on, Nicholas, didn't I tell you that I'll accompany you? I don't like you making me go back on my word."Nicholas was stunned to hear Nathalie's words. Why did he become the guilty party when he just didn't want to burden Nathalie.He sighed and finally nodded. "Okay, whatever you want, Nate."Nathalie smiled. "Let's go!""Wait," Nicholas held her back, grabbing Nathalie's arm and holding her back. "I forgot to grab my cane.""Ah, wait, I'll get it. I know where you keep it," Nathalie said.She went to the living room and returned with the wooden cane that Nicholas usually used when his legs hurt. The cane was usually pla
Towards evening, after accompanying Hardy to dinner and waiting for him to go to sleep, Nicholas and Nathalie returned home.Lyle was already waiting for them in the hospital yard when they came out and quickly opened the door, taking over Nicholas' cane."Are your legs no longer sore?" Nathalie asked."No," Nicholas replied. "I took my medicine earlier, after lunch."Nathalie nodded and they were silent throughout the journey, enjoying the comfortable silence, because of each other's presence.After arriving home, Nathalie immediately sat on the living room sofa, stretching her sore legs.Madam Olla approached her. "You must be very tired. Do you want me to make you a warm drink? Chamomile tea would be delicious."Nathalie looked up and took Madam Olla's hand with a grateful look. "Yes, I would love to, Madam, you are very understanding."Madam Olla smiled and patted Nathalie's hand gently, then went to the kitchen.Nicholas entered accompanied by Lyle. He raised his eyebrows, seein
"What are you doing today?" Nicholas asked this morning at breakfast. "What time are you going to the hospital?"Nathalie looked at her watch. "I think I'll visit him this afternoon," she said. "My father said some of his friends will come to visit and he seems very happy. He probably misses the times when he was still working and the arrival of his friends will definitely cheer him up.""That's good. When they talk about the past and reminisce together, it will make them happy and the body responds well," Nicholas said. "That's why some elderly people prefer to live in a nursing home rather than being lonely at their child's house.""Because in a nursing home they will get friends of the same age who can understand each other?Nicholas nodded. "Yes. They get a different kind of happiness there, because they understand each other's stories even though they have just met there. At home, they couldn't tell their past to their busy working children who came home tired, and instead often
This morning after breakfast, Nathalie decided to talk about the interior design company that Nicholas would start with her.Nathalie cleared her throat, catching Nicholas' attention as he was scrolling through something on his phone.Nicholas looked up, his eyebrows raised and his steely eyes staring at Nathalie. "Yes, Nate?""Umm... Sorry to interrupt. How about the company you're going to start? Nsync?"Nicholas put his phone on the table and said, "I'm still in the process of it. We need to recruit a lot of people to complete the organizational structure of the company and for you, you need to determine the direction of your design signature, to boost promotion and sales.""Oh, I have sketchbooks that contain some of the latest designs that I made. Wait a minute, I'll get them," Nathalie said before going to her bedroom and taking out the sketchbooks.She showed Nicholas her sketches and remarked, "Lately I've also been thinking that there are so many good interior designers latel
"What? Rejected again?" Charles asked angrily. He almost threw the fake flower vase on his desk, to vent his frustration."They said, the new concept we offered did not match what they imagined. They wanted something that was intimate and warm. They asked for too many details, Mr. Frederick," complained Darwin, the assistant marketing manager of Charles Star Co."Mrs. Irene Welsh also asked us to send the design from Mrs. Frederick, or she would cancel her plan to use our company," said Cyntia, Charles' secretary.Charles' heart felt like it was being pinched when Cyntia mentioned Mrs. Frederick, referring to Nathalie.Of course, that only made the dilemma felt by Charles even bigger. It turned out, the hole Nathalie left in the company was that big."Tsk! Don't call Nathalie Mrs. Frederick anymore," said Charles annoyed. "She is not my wife anymore."Cyntia covered her mouth awkwardly. She forgot that her boss had just had problems with his now ex-wife because she was having an affa
"Are you ready?"Nathalie nodded. She looked at Nicholas with an admiring look.Nicholas looked handsome in a dark blue suit, over a light blue shirt without a tie. He looked formal, but also casual. Very handsome, Nathalie said to herself.Nicholas also looked at Nathalie with an uncertain feeling. Why is she so beautiful? Look at her white shoulders and neck, so smooth like marble and the color of her cheeks and lips are already pink without the need for lipstick and blush on.Nathalie wore a light blue dress, matching the nuances of Nicholas' clothes. The knee-length A-line model of her dress, showed her calves and legs that were as long as grains of rice. She wore a white gold necklace with a tear-shaped stone pendant, dark blue, a ring, and little amulet in her ear."Beautiful," Nicholas said, nodding. "You always look so beautiful."Nathalie was surprised to hear Nicholas' sudden compliment, she felt her heart start beating faster and had to hold her handbag tightly so as not t
A month later, Nicholas and Natalie's company opened. The opening ceremony went smoothly, and even Charles' former customers came.In the newly rented store in Harlington Metropolitan Mall, elegant flowers and wide white ribbons dotted the entire area. Cocktail tables were neatly placed outside the store, and waiters brought expensive champagne and snacks."Dear guests, today we gather to witness the opening of NSync Company, an interior design company, which is a collaboration between Ms. Nathalie and Mr. Nicholas Grand. Today's event will be led by our beautiful and talented CEO, Ms. Nathalie Darren. We invite Ms. Darren to give a speech, before cutting the ribbon," the host called out enthusiastically.Everyone applauded, welcoming Nathalie who came up to the podium, enthusiastically."Thank you all for being here," Nathalie said with a big smile on her lips. "It is an honor to welcome you all and hope that in the future we and all the supporting crew of NSync Company, can help an
"It's so nice to see you again, Nathalie," Mrs. Keylani said. She looked at Nathalie from head to toe and back to her face. "You're getting more beautiful and glowing.""Thank you," Nathalie said. "You also look healthy and fresh.""There's a job that makes me excited, after my husband passed away," Mrs. Keylani said cheerfully."Ah, my condolences on your husband's passing," Nathalie said."Tsk, that was almost two years ago," Mrs. Keylani said with a laugh. She moved closer to Nathalie and whispered, "Being single is quite fun, especially if you have a large inheritance."Nathalie laughed. "As long as you're healthy and happy, Ma'am.""I was so happy when I found out that you would also come to supervise the work. I remember, when you supervised my first resort, you were so meticulous and detailed, so that when everything was finished, I was very satisfied with the results and even before my husband died, he kept saying that he wanted you
"Nicholas? Honey?"Nicholas turned his head, diverting his attention from the trunk he was about to close. "Yes, baby?"Nathalie pointed at the villa in front of her. "Are we really going to stay here?""Hm, yes," Nicholas said. He approached Nathalie while dragging two suitcases, his and hers. "Why? Do you think the place is not big enough? Not comfortable enough? I'll ask for a more--"Nathalie stood on tiptoe and kissed Nicholas, to silence him. "Sshhh...."Nicholas smiled and kissed Nathalie back. "Shall we try the bed right away?"Nathalie laughed. "Young Master Grand, my pervert love man, I mean, this is a very nice and big villa. We can even bring four or five more people here and it still feels spacious."Nicholas laughed. He moved closer to Nathalie. "Isn't that great? We can try every corner freely."Nathalie glanced and laughed at Nicholas' flirtatious words. She grabbed one of the suitcases from Nicholas' hand.
"Oh, I hate my body," Gina said, staring at herself in the mirror behind her."Tch, your body is fine," Marla said in an annoyed tone. "You're just pregnant and bear it, don't complain too much. Charles won't like it. He'll think you don't want to have his child!""I'm going on a strict diet after I give birth," Gina said, rubbing her stomach. "Oh, but this is a really pretty beach dress.""I really can't come?" Marla asked. She sighed, envious of her daughter's youthfulness. Even with her pregnant and growing body, Gina still looked beautiful in the beach dress Charles had just bought her, a set with a bikini."Don't be ridiculous, Mom," Gina said. "This is my first vacation with Charles, of course you can't come."Gina was very enthusiastic about preparing for this vacation to the Maldives. She had never been to the Maldives and of course it was on her wish list of vacation destinations she wanted to visit.In the past, when she first star
Charles was happy because Nathalie accepted his offer of cooperation.He did not delay long and immediately made a cooperation contract. Nathalie is a freelance design staff for Mrs. Keylani's current resort project.At first Charles was a bit annoyed because the price Nathalie asked for was very high, but he was satisfied seeing the initial design sketch given by Nathalie and was willing to pay according to Nathalie's request."Make sure all the details are the same and don't miss anything. This is my late husband's request," said Mrs. Keylani for the umpteenth time. "Please supervise the workers so that there are no mistakes or shortcomings.""Of course, Mrs. Keylani. We will try our best to realize the same resort as before, to fulfill your late husband's wishes," replied Charles."Ah, and if possible, I also want to meet your wife again, Mr. Frederick. I really like Nathalie. She is smart, beautiful, and kind. You are lucky to be with her," add
"You're going to take three days off and just leave the company?" Andy snapped in a high tone."I'm not just leaving the company," Nicholas retorted with furrowed brows. "Why do you use such a negative-sounding term?"Andy snorted. "You're irresponsible, Nicholas! You still have a lot of work to do and your three months are almost over. Are you going to leave so much burden for Leon when he comes back?"Nicholas slammed the table hard. His eyes shone very sharply and his lips formed a sarcastic smile."I'm irresponsible? Are you seriously saying that? Are you blind? In these two months, how many projects can I break through? How many pending jobs can I complete? Do I need to take the company's profit chart from the finance department? Or a record of how many new projects came in in the two months when I was CEO, compared to what your other son had produced?"Nicholas' words were very calm, but sharp and piercing. He stared straight into Andy's eyes without blinking."I don't understan
"Who?"Nathalie's eyes widened.She was finishing checking some new designs her staff had made when the phone on her desk rang and the receptionist told her that a man named Charles Frederick wanted to see her."He said his name was Charles Frederick, ma'am. He said he wanted to talk about a joint project."Nathalie didn't know what Charles wanted, but it must have been important enough for him to come to what was clearly a rival company."Tell him to wait in the main living room," Nathalie said. "Ah, Katty?""Yes, ma'am?" Katty said."Turn on the AC to maximum, and all the lights on our display boards," Nathalie said."Yes, ma'am, I will," Katty said."Call me back in half an hour after he sits down," Nathalie added.After hanging up, Nathalie picked up her phone and sent a message to Nicholas."Charles came here and said he wanted to meet to discuss a joint project."Nicholas' reply came about three minutes later."I'm leading a meeting, can't call you. Make sure all the CCTV camera
"So far, in two months, Nicholas has completed four pending project tenders and secured two major projects that previously did not even include us as tender participants," said Mario Marwin."You're right," responded Lorenzo Urbin. "Have you checked the development graph of The Grand Enterprise last month? After previously there was a fairly large decline in numbers, at the beginning of last month the line had registered and at the beginning of this month the line actually went up.""Gentlemen, it crossed my mind some time ago, when observing the development of our shares, could it be that we have chosen the wrong person all this time?" said Abner Jhonson carefully.Lorenzo and Mario exchanged glances. Each was struggling with their thoughts. Questioning again what Abner had said."I've thought about that too," said Lorenzo somewhat embarrassedly. "If we had chosen Nicholas from the start, perhaps the benefits we would have gained would have been enormous."Mario nodded, agreeing with
"Are you busy?" Nicholas asked. He had just finished taking a shower, shirtless, wearing only pajama pants, and his hair was half wet.Nathalie looked up, looking away from the laptop. Her eyebrows furrowed."Why don't you dry your hair?" Nathalie asked as she took the towel draped over Nicholas' shoulder. "This is a bad habit. It can make you catch a cold quickly."Nathalie led Nicholas to the chair she had been sitting in and she stood behind him, wiping his hair with the towel."I'm revising some sketches," Nathalie said. "There are materials that are hard to get lately, because of the shortage in the wood market, so I have to find alternative materials."Nicholas looked up and looked at Nathalie whose face looked tired."Don't push yourself too hard, baby," Nicholas said. "You should start training some of your trusted staff to do the more complicated tasks, so they don't have to rely on you all the time.""Yeah, I'm doing that too, honey," Nathalie said, leaning down and kissing
"Lilian used to be my father's secretary. She was a distant cousin of grandpa Jerome and because her family was poor, but she was kind and diligent, my grandmother made her my father's secretary," Nicholas said while rolling spaghetti on his plate. "She started working not long after my grandfather appointed my father as his successor at The Grand Enterprise.""She said, you will never be able to become the leader of The Grand because that position belongs to Leon," Nathalie said. "I got goosebumps when I saw her face, when she said that. She was so determined that I think she was capable of killing anyone who tried to disturb Leon."Nicholas' face was gloomy. He didn't like to talk about his family, because he himself had never felt comfortable with the real situation there.Other people saw the Grand family as a symbol of unlimited wealth and power, success and glory, but inside, it was not that grand."When I was born, Leon was already four years old," Nicholas said. "When I was ab