NINA.I maintained my composed tone while describing the situation to Bryan. The company's potential sale did not receive unanimous approval from his family members. A number of family members oppose the company sale and are prepared to battle to safeguard the company's heritage. The company represents their father's dedication and hard work according to these family members who view it as more than a mere financial asset.The bitterness in Bryan's voice revealed his deep anger and frustration. "Those ingrates," he muttered. "They don't know what's good for them. The proceeds from this sale would have provided substantial financial benefits to all parties involved. The proceeds would have provided us with comfortable living while setting them up for life.I pressed on, undeterred. My responsibility as their lawyer requires me to advise them about their best possible options. We must investigate every possible avenue to block the sale of the company right now. We need to challenge the
NINA The setting sun bathed the familiar facade in golden light as we arrived at the house and relief washed over me. As the lengthy workday ended I looked forward to releasing the burden of my duties so I could exist freely. I shut off the engine while the cooling metal emitted a soft ticking sound which signaled the upcoming silence. Our exit from the car was marked by the doors shutting with a soft thud which resonated through the quiet evening atmosphere. Finally, we got to the house. The cool air-conditioned space welcomed me as my voice echoed "Honey, I'm back." The familiar sound of floorboards creaking under my feet always created a sense of warmth and welcome for me. The door shut behind me with a gentle click of the latch which assured me of my safety and the comfort of being home.Drew responded with "Yea, my love," his voice carried from the living room where the television light illuminated his face warmly. A smile spread across my face as I felt contentment washing ov
NINA.I stood up and removed the wrinkles from my corporate gown while recognizing my tailored suit as a representation of my professional status and power. The traditional lawyer's gown and wig I wore during official events appeared to earn respect as I got ready to undertake my responsibilities. "Alex we need to leave now," I told my colleague while maintaining a firm and resolute tone.Alex squinted his eyes as he asked me with curiosity "Laurel, what exactly will we do once we arrive?" I paused to take a deep breath and organize my thoughts prior to answering. I want us to prevent the auction from going forward, Alex. We must make certain that no sales take place without acquiring approval from all parties involved.My thoughts drifted to the evidence we had collected. “Audrey's voice note made it obvious to me that Bryan plans to sell the company solely for his own benefit”, I said. “Our case presentation must show how this sale would harm everyone involved” I continue.I acknowl
ASHLEY.As Ezra's words continued to echo through the air I stood motionless, shock paralyzing me while his piercing gaze locked onto mine causing my heart to plummet. His voice had a hidden poison as he calmly told me “ Ava and I had a child together”.His words wounded my soul deeply like a sharp knife cutting through my very being as I fought for breath.As I looked at my former lover I felt the revelation hit my abdomen with the force of a physical blow while I tried to understand its meaning. “I need to understand the man I ended up with”, The question repeated in my thoughts like a mantra of despair.The heavy tension between us became broken by Ezra's phone ringing abruptly like an off-key sound. His eyes remained fixed on mine while he picked up the phone with a low urgent tone. "How come?" His words showed concern mixed with panic. "How did he escape?" His voice climbed in anger while he spoke those words.I instantly recognized they were discussing about Morel. Ezra stared
ASHLEY POV Ava held Ezra's hand with a firm grip that reflected her need for security while Ezra kept his eyes fixed on me.Unspoken words and unresolved problems created an overwhelming emotional tension throughout the space. The heavy silence between us became a tangible force that felt like it might strangle me. The waves of hurt and anger engulfed me completely without any prospect of rescue. Our eyes remained locked together while I spoke in a barely audible whisper asking him "You're cheating on me, aren't you?" The words we exchanged hovered like both an accusation and challenge between us as I listened intently for Ezra's response.My eyes burned with both anger and pain as I stared at Ezra. You deceived me by hiding that she was your younger sister and now you're having sex with her in the guest room. My mouth spilled words filled with shock and betrayal along with disgust. The words hit me like a physical punch to my stomach that took my breath away.My growing anger cause
ASHLEY POVI moved at an increasing pace through the crowded market stalls. I quickly approached the friendly saleswoman and requested her to serve me more quickly."My newborn is home alone," I told the madam urgently. The seller showed a gentle expression and gave an apologetic nod. She apologized for being late as she accelerated her work to process my sale while addressing me as "mam."My mind raced with thoughts of my newborn and the tasks awaiting me at home while I fidgeted with anticipation as I waited. A seemingly endless wait came to an end when I finished purchasing. After completing my payment to the seller I collected my bags and exited the market feeling a deep sense of relief. Today I will discover Ezra's intentions," I declared to myself while determination showed across my face. The journey back home began when I entered the car, my thoughts consumed by the upcoming confrontation.To prevent alerting anyone inside my house, I did not use my car horn as I drove closer.
EZRA.I stood, yielding smooth and calculated movements, and I am headed towards the window, like a slowly dawning day opening a wicked grin. Now, in contrast to this bath of sunlight with radiant beauty, the sunlight highlights the impression on my face, with my eyes sparkling bright with an almost suggestive twinkle. I let out a deep laugh, the sound of which was extinguished between heavy promises of a shared secret. I barely managed to mutter a faint, "Ahaha." "She is gone, my queen," I murmured, in a dark husky voice, to Ava, who was staring back at me so intensely it could have melted any skin with awareness. The heavy meaning lay thick in the air, but Ava was staring unrestingly at my eyes as she rose from her seat in a graceful, deliberate fashion.Her eyes were ablaze as she came. It was everything I needed; in fact, I felt there was this heat being generated inside her; even the tension was palpable as it brushed past every single air molecule between us. Her lips gently m
ASHLEY.Confused as I was, I just stood there watching her-an exceptionally confident and self-possessed woman. With a grace that suggested she had either met him before, or might even know him intimately, but I couldn't quite place her. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement; they seemed to be hiding a secret from me. The feeling of disquiet grew and my memory started raking around to check if any manipulation could be found to explain her familiarity."I'm sorry, dear, who are you, please?" I asked her, trying to introduce some modicum of politeness and formality with which she would find difficult to confront my confused state. But she just smiled, her lips curling up in a subtle, knowing smile. "But I just told you my name, right?" she replied, that voice dripping with a hint of teasing. Any better? My cheeks felt warm from the blood; I must have missed something but I had no idea. "It's just a kind question, dear," I said to ease the mortification that had been creeping betw
NINA."I think it would be a good idea to call her," said Alex. His tone was firm, yet soothing. I nodded in agreement, and Alex's eyes sparked with curiosity. "Okay, that sounds nice," I said with a careful tone. "Do you have her number?" asked Alex, gazing intently into my eyes.After a moment's pause, doubts rushed through my mind. "Yes, I do," I replied evenly. "Why wouldn't my sister's number be stuck in my head?" The last part of my sentence was laced with a little defensive tone. With her gaze so penetrating, Alex narrowed her eyes just a bit. "She is your sister, how...?" He trailed off. A fluttering in my chest began; I was scrambling to come up with an answer that would sound plausible. "Jesus, I ought to be careful," my thoughts raged inside me, a wild curdle of fright and calculation. "Ahahah, I'm just repeating what my friend Nina said," I chattered out, battling to sound cool and collected while trouble was brewing inside me. After a deep breath, I pressed the phone to