INICIAR SESIÓNSmith pulled out his phone, rage in every movement, and dialed Adrian's number."Hey, pal," Adrian said. "You didn't let me walk halfway from your office before you called. Are you missing me already?""Hold it right there, you son of a bitch," Smith said."Listen to me, Adrian. I forgave you at the function, and today you crossed the line — stepping into my office and running your mouth.""Stay the hell away from me and my woman. I repeat — stay the hell away from…"Adrian cut in. "From your woman, and you. I get it, Smith. I'm not deaf, bro."He hung up."Adrian… Adrian! How dare he cut the call on me."Smith slammed his fist on the desk.What is he up to?He grabbed his suit jacket and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. He crossed the hallway, rode the elevator down, and pushed through the building's front doors, his guards falling in step behind him. He got into his car, and it sped off.At the mansion, Esther sat in the living room, her hair pulled into a bun, a short yel
Chloe's in shock seeing Adrian."What are you doing here? How did you find out I was behind bars?" Chloe asked nervously.Adrian walked up to her, smiling. He took her hands. "You ask so many questions, Chloe. I missed you, my old friend." He hugged her warmly."I totally understand you're surprised to see me here, Chloe. Your father's death went viral, and so did your sentence. So, no, absolutely no one told me, dear.""By the way, I met your lover, Smith Vale, at a function, but…""Enough!" Chloe cut him off. "I do not want to hear that name ever again around me.""Sit, Chloe," he said.Adrian cleared his throat."I should have known better before now, Chloe, but it is what it is…""I don't understand. What are you saying?" Chloe asked.Adrian looked at her and smiled. "Smith never liked you. He never cared about you, not once. But I always did — a long time ago, and even now. You just never noticed me, Chloe.""Adrian…?""Tell me, Chloe — who's here for you now? Still me."Chloe co
The Chief Officer stood up from his chair and turned to the window, looking at the stars. "How I wish things never happened," he said.Everywhere was silent. Maya turned to Marcus, and Marcus turned to Maya."Well, it is all good," he said.Pears Wolf… he smirked.He turned to Chloe. "You really want to know why I want you?"He moved from where he was and stepped closer to Chloe."Your father took something that was so precious to me, Chloe." He continued. "Your father killed my elder brother, Peter Parker."Marcus's grip tightened on his own clothes. His hands trembled.Oh my God, please don't let him find out I know something about the death of Mr. Parker, Marcus thought."I swore to take revenge, and I have waited for years, Chloe. I'm back…"Chloe's eyes widened. "What? What are you saying? Is this the reason you want me? The person you're supposed to hold responsible is gone, and I'm not his only child."The Chief Officer looked at her, raised his brow, then smiled. "You're right
Smith and Esther arrived home. He stepped down from his car and turned around to open the door for Esther, holding her hand as she came down.He smirked at her, but his jaw was tight underneath it. Esther caught the way his eyes kept drifting past her toward the gate. She'd known him long enough to know that smile didn't reach anywhere real."Hey, just get inside. I'll join you soon," Smith said, still looking at the gate more than at her.Esther held his gaze a second longer, then let it go. She exhaled. "Okay," she replied. "Take care of yourself," she said, and went inside.Smith watched her go inside. He turned to his car, clenched his fist, and hit it — once, hard — then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.Adrian's words echoed in his ear. The more he replayed them, the harder his fist pressed against the car door."Adrian, Adrian… I promise you, you won't get away with this."Inside, Esther paced past the window twice before she made herself stop. "I'll join you soon" did
They walked into the party together. As they stepped in, the music paused. Heads turned. People watched them cross the room."Is that Smith Vale's wife?" someone murmured."Oh my goodness, she's so beautiful."A few women stared at Smith, unable to look away."Mr. Smith, welcome, sir." A man bowed slightly. "Thank you for honouring my invitation, sir. I really appreciate it. Please, this way.""Smith Vale. Good to see you again." A man said from behind."Adrian Patrick. It's been a very long time, old friend."They smiled and shook hands.Adrian turned to Esther, standing at Smith's left side. "Hello, beautiful." His eyes lingered on her too long. He reached for her hand to kiss it, but Smith stopped him."She's with me, Adrian. Don't overstep." Smith's voice stayed polite, but his hand tightened at her waist.Adrian smiled anyway. "She's beautiful, old friend. You've got an eye for good things, I'll give you that."They both laughed and took their wine to a table."Let's sit," Adrian
"Get out." The cold voice filled the office.The guards didn't hesitate."Yes, sir."They quickly walked out and shut the door behind them.Silence filled the room.Marcus, Maya, and Chloe stood in the middle of the office.None of them dared to move.The Chief Officer stood with his back to them, his hands behind him as he looked out the window. The evening light cast his shadow across the floor.No one spoke.Then he broke the silence."Maya..." His voice was calm. "Very good job."Marcus frowned.Chloe slowly lifted her head."What a smart game." The Chief Officer gave a faint smile. "What a fantastic plan."He paused. "Well done, Maya."Maya's heart skipped a beat. She knew that voice. She lowered her head."I'm sorry, Boss," she said quietly.Marcus turned to look at her. His eyes narrowed. "Boss?""Maya..." He stared at her. "What's going on here?"Maya kept her head down. She couldn't answer.The Chief Officer still didn't turn around. "You really thought escaping like that was
Esther was walking home from work when she noticed a black G-Wagon following her. She stopped to see if the car would stop too, but it didn't. Instead, it drove past her. She started moving again, not knowing the car had parked somewhere ahead, waiting for her to pass so they could follow her. She
Footsteps approached, the sharp click of heels echoing down the hallway. The door swung open. Standing in the doorway of Vale's office was a lady in a long sparkling red gown with a thigh-high slit, her blonde hair tumbling past her shoulders, looking straight at Smith."Hi, Smith," she said."Chlo
"You're home. Welcome. How was work today?" Miss Parker said."Not well, but it was fine," Esther said, faking a smile."Dinner is ready.""Okay," Esther said."I made your favourite for dinner."A smell drifting from the kitchen drew Esther closer and she said, smiling broadly, "I know what that i
She slammed the door angrily after the humiliation at the prom night."Esther," Miss Parker called out. "What happened? Why the frown?"She kept bombarding her with questions, but Esther silently walked away out of frustration and anger and went to her room, sobbing.The only words that echoed in h







