Jonathan had only ever had Lil in his mind and heart. He never had any girlfriends or scandals, but even so, girls would find their way into his hotel rooms, or his associates would send him ‘gifts.’ He had dealt with all of them harshly. But even then, they never stopped. The slim prospect of being the young mistress of the Smith Group was too much of a temptation. He had met Vivian Stone on a business trip around four years ago. He realized he had been drugged and locked himself in his hotel room. But unfortunately, whoever had schemed against him had thoroughly prepared. He was locked inside, the landline was dead, his cell phone had no reception, there was no WIFI, and worst of all, there was no water in the bathroom. Jonathan had thought that if he did not die, he would surely get a psychological disorder other than kidney deficiency. It was then a male voice knocked on the door. Jonathan had assumed the voice sounded like his assistant - Vincent and Jonathan had confir
Liliana dozed off in the hospital bed after the medication took effect and dreamt of the events seven years past. “And now I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest announced. Liliana’s heartbeat picked up as Jonathan leaned into her to kiss her. The first kiss that she had saved up for him. She was a bundle of nerves. It was quite unlike her calm, collected, and confident self. But the moment their lips met, he said the most hurtful words she had ever heard, “Did you think you could be my wife because you schemed and trapped me into this? You can enjoy the vacant position of Mrs. Smith that you covet so much. But you will never have a place in my heart and life.” The others saw them as a loving couple who kissed and cherished the moment that bound them as one. But Liliana knew that it was the beginning of her doom. Her father had coerced her into the marriage, and she knew his family had forced him. But she had held the hope of living together harm
Instead of defending herself, Liliana turned off all the lights. That had caught the assaulters off-guard.As expected, she sneaked out of the window and locked herself in the small study room.She could tell she was drugged, but there was no way she could escape and continue to keep her cover.Without bothering to take off her gorgeous wedding dress, she submerged herself in the cold water of the tub.Just as she had dozed off, the bathroom door was pushed open.Her husband came stumbling in and cursed.“I never knew you would stoop so low that you drugged me.”He was sluggish as he tried to lift her and throw her out. But unbeknownst to both, they ended up consummating their marriage.As they were about to drift to sleep in the morning, a few maids barged in, helped them change, and dragged them out of the room.They got their marriage certificates in their muddled state.Everyone who looked at them saw a loving couple who couldn’t keep themselves sober enough to get the certificate
Liliana had been wearing a mask to ensure she was not recognized. As luck would have it - her father, Lester Aprice, and her step-sister, Lydia Aprice, happened to arrive at the same time. Ironically, it was Lydia and not her biological father who had recognized her. Lydia berated and called her names, but Liliana only looked at her father. Lester, however, treated her like foul air. Lydia had always been impatient, and in less than two minutes, she was infuriated by Liliana’s indifference. She rushed toward her, but Liliana sidestepped, and she fell on the ground due to inertia. Lester finally reacted as he slapped her in the face. That was what Jonathan saw as he exited the lift with his assistant. “What’s going on here?” He asked coldly. He did not seem to like the Aprice family either. Before Liliana or the receptionist could reply, Lester said, “This shameless shank pushed Lydia, causing her to bleed so much. She kicked a fuss out of nowhere and hurt her.” The receptioni
Three months after their encounter in the mall, Liliana packed up and flew back to P city with her twins. She had returned. This time, she would not leave her home or her heritage. A week later, she showed up in the Smith Group again. This time she gave Vincent’s card to the receptionist and asked for a meeting. The receptionist was surprised to see the old worn-out card. But she nonetheless called Vincent and asked for his confirmation. Vincent, having known Liliana in Maple City, came downstairs to pick her up personally. Jonathan pretended to go out to ask Vincent for something and ‘accidentally’ met Liliana. Vincent and Liliana’s mouths twitched as they saw through him. Vincent coughed to save his boss from embarrassment. “Miss Green, this way, please.” Liliana nodded and followed. As soon as they were seated, she said, “Please call me Mrs. Liliana, and don’t mention my last name from now on.” Vincent was stunned. “May I ask why?” Liliana curled her lips, “Because I am
Liliana looked at Jonathan in surprise. Ever since they met in Maple city, his reactions had been weird. “Am I missing something here?” She asked in a neutral tone. Jonathan gulped a glass full of water to keep himself from choking. “I am sorry about that day. It was my fault.” He did not know what to do other than give empty apologies. “What exactly are you apologizing for?” She asked him straightforwardly. “For not protecting you, for not seeking justice for you, for letting you get hurt in my turf, for letting them walk away Scott free.” He listed his reasons. ‘For not recognizing you, for not finding you sooner,’ he added in his heart. “As long as you are not apologizing for them, we are fine.” Liliana smiled sadly. “What does that mean?” Vincent asked. “That brings me to our conditions - I have a history with the Aprice family and Vivian Stone. That episode seven years ago had nothing to do with you. The same goes for what happened in the mall in Maple City. While your p
Jonathan looked at the girl in front of him. She was most certainly the girl from his childhood, one he had wanted to cherish and marry. He did not know how to tell her that someone pretended to be her to hurt her. “Lydia Aprice pretended to be someone I once knew as a kid and came to claim an acquaintance. I felt she was lying, but she had all the proof that she was indeed the person I knew. I have never had any relationship whatsoever with her. The only thing is I let her hover around me until she got in my way or my nerves. And that was because I had no proof that she was fake.” Liliana looked at him quizzically. Jonathan did not want to strain their relationship and thus kept things vague and concise. He drank some water and confirmed, “You can rest assured that I won’t be helping her out. I have a score to settle with her as well.” Liliana nodded with a blank face, “Alright!” Jonathan added, “Vivian Stone is someone I despise from the bottom of my heart. She initially coer
A few days later, a sensation broke out in P city. Smith Group had partnered with L&L Designs. L&L Designs was a sophisticated luxury brand in Maple city that had spread around the world in the past, but they had refused to enter P city. Many big brands were trying to collaborate with them but had failed. The netizens and the socialites in P city went crazy. No one had seen the mystery founder and designer behind L&L Designs. Everyone wondered how the Smith Group managed to get the partnership. L&L Designs had always had its private studio and had never cooperated with anyone before. This time L&L Designs ventured to open a branch in the central mall owned by Smith Group. Vivian went blue reading the news. She was supposed to be Jonathan’s girlfriend, but he had mercilessly rejected her proposal to open her boutique in one of Smith Group Malls. Now he signed up her competitor in such a high-profile manner. It was a slap in the face. Even worse, she heard it on the news and w