The revelation brought a sudden silence to the room. Ezrah couldn't shake the feeling that Odette might truly be Michelle's twin sister.The way they both resorted to faking their deaths to resolve their relationship issues seemed to be ingrained in their DNA.Mr. Newman continued his explanation. "Rush nearly lost his mind when he believed Odette was dead."Sebastian interjected, "That still doesn't justify keeping him close to Michelle.”How could he live with himself if something happened to Madison?The recommendation likely came from his father, but Sebastian was troubled by the kindness Madison had shown him.She was a good woman who didn't deserve to be caught up in their relationship drama.Mr. Newman ignored the interruption and continued to explain. "When Rush saw Michelle on screen for the first time, he regained his composure and sought ways to be near her."As he spoke, Esther’s voice was heard from the background. “Grandpa, come and play.”"She's a pretty doll. I’m talki
Mr. Newman sincerely revealed everything to Sebastian. “I took a sample of Michelle’s hair for a DNA test. It was a 99.9 percent match.”Sebastian was shocked and couldn't help but exclaim, “You are kidding me. Does she know?” He asked seriously, and Mr. Newman responded in the negative.“No. Rush was already with her, so there was no way to tell her.”Ezrah was conflicted. He had performed a background check on Michelle when he suspected their one-night encounter might have been orchestrated by her, but nothing of that sort popped up.“I bet even her parents don’t know.”Mr. Newman felt trapped. If Sebastian had informed him that the phone was on speaker, he would have known what to say and what not to say.To protect Michelle, he had conducted a background check on Ezrah and knew that he was not as simple as he seemed.Now, he found himself in a difficult situation.“I don’t know about them, but it's complicated. Let me talk to Rush’s doctor and come up with something. I never knew
Sebastian’s phone rang, and he answered it, “Seb, please hear…”Hearing Piper’s voice, he turned his head to the side and sneezed. “It’s a tsetse fly,” then he ended the call.The atmosphere turned warm as everyone laughed.“That must be Piper,” Lake said with amusement, and Sebastian was angered.“How can you mention that cursed name so easily? Please don’t bring up tsetse flies here. Where are my things? We had to purchase some when you refused to take me in last time.”Everything about Piper irritated him to the bones. He could not endure it, regretting falling in love with her.It was just annoying how her parents were also eyeing Esther. That was something Sebastian did not even want to think about.“In the room you slept in,” Lake lazily answered. Sebastian smiled, stared at Madison, and said, “Pretty lady, can you help me choose an outfit for the date?”Madison was taken aback but suddenly felt that Sebastian had forgotten her warning and stance concerning Michelle.“Aren’t you
“Seb, what are you talking about?” Michelle was confused but also happy if it was what she was thinking. All along, Sebastian made it clear, and it was both relieving and suspicious the way he just gave up. “Don’t get me wrong. I intended to do that before, but something happened today, making me change my mind.” Sebastian felt strange. The fact that those guys were after Madison stirred up something in him, and though he did not say it, he was grateful to Lake and Ezrah, especially Ezrah, who received the bullet in the process. “What exactly happened?” Michelle asked, finding both Sebastian and Madison’s behaviors strange. More like how Madison ended up in Lake’s house instead of hers. Sebastian could have let it out but could not endanger Michelle’s life. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you.”The look of dismay in Michelle’s eyes made him equally uncomfortable.“Michelle, it’s not as if I like Ezrah, but the fact that you still haven’t moved on means…” Michelle cut in, knowing exactl
Michelle’s suspicions were running high, and she decided to confide in Coco.“When Madison left, she mentioned that something had come up and used the designated driver as an excuse. But I have a feeling she's not being entirely truthful. She could have easily arranged for another designated driver but chose to drive herself to Lake’s house instead.”The more Michelle pondered over it, the more convinced she became that her suspicions were valid.“Lake’s house? They must be quite close,” Coco remarked, her tone lacking amusement, which didn't go unnoticed by Michelle.Michelle chuckled and encouraged Coco, mentioning that Madison had claimed there was nothing between them. “Coco, if you like him, go for it.”Coco shook her head, expressing her fondness for Lake's personality but also indicating that she wasn't ready to jump into another relationship just yet.“I just got out of a relationship, Michelle. It's too soon, and I don't want to come off as desperate.”Nodding in agreement, Mi
Madison was about to speak when Lake lifted himself to a sitting position on the sofa he was lying on. “It’s late, dude. There are plenty of rooms. Do you prefer sleeping on the couch, or did you have a bad date?” Lake was ready to tease him and wasn't going to let him use Madison as a backup. He really hoped that something real would happen between them, but if Sebastian wanted Michelle, then he should steer clear of Madison. “There was no date,” Sebastian revealed. Both Madison and Lake were surprised. Was this a new form of prank? “Why?” Madison was the first to ask. Nevertheless, Sebastian’s response was directed at Lake. “Look, Lake, you and Ezrah saving Madison was heroic. That’s what made me give up.” His phone buzzed in his suit pocket, and he brought it out. “My dad is calling.” Both of them fell silent as he answered the call, but Ezrah, who couldn't sleep either, returned downstairs. Usually, he and Lake would chat through the night until sleep overtook them, but th
Michelle was studying a new script delivered to her when her intercom rang. “Ma’am, Butler Rudolph is here to see you.”She was taken aback but guessed that Rudolph must have been sent by Ezrah. What a smart move? Ezrah knew how much she respected the butler and would not refuse to see him.“Let him in,” Michelle said to the secretary.About to place the handset on the receiver after the call, the secretary replied. “He said your bodyguard would not let him in.”Slowly, Michelle understood that Butler Rudolph must have come earlier but was restricted by Rush.She was growing tired of her bodyguard’s odd behavior. “Send him up. I will meet him up myself.”Butler Rudolph returned and before Rush could question him, the door to Michelle’s office opened and Michelle stepped out.“Rudolph, it has been a while.”Butler Rudolph beamed. “Oh Madam, the news broke my heart but I’m glad to see you alive.”He glanced at the angry Rush and asked Michelle. “Can I come in please? Your bodyguard paid
Michelle did not feel threatened, as this was her office.Rush did not try to free herself from Ezrah’s hold, wondering what Michelle thought about him. Would she accept the roses because Rush mattered to her, or would she choose a different means of freedom?“I’ll call the cops,” Michelle’s fervent response sounded after a while. But Ezrah tightened his grip on Rush. Regardless of whether Michelle accepted the flowers, he was determined to make Rush pay for what he did to Madison. He was not going to let his loved ones live in fear because of him. “He’ll be dead before they get here,” Ezrah said seriously, his tone softened as he added, “Please take the flowers.”When he stretched his hand, and due to his other hand caging Rush, his suit button opened, revealing his white shirt stained with blood. Michelle frowned a little, took the bouquet of red roses, and instantly threw them in the bin. It remained exposed as the bin could not close due to the size of the white roses from But