Chapter Thirty-Five/DAMIEN ROMERO, C.E.O OF ROMERO EMPIRE, ENGAGED TO LONG TIME GIRLFRIEND, RINA CARTER!/Rina's lips pursed in a satisfied smile as she read the headlines from the trending posts from her iPad. She had a cup of steaming coffee in one hand, her pinky held out in a very classy fashion. She was yet to take a sip and the milk poured atop rich brown liquid, was still in its delicate design of a leaf. Rina closed her eyes, sniffing in the heavenly scent from the tiny cup, then took a sip.It was scalding hot but it didn't stop the satisfied purr that escaped her lips, as the rich taste of coffee burst in her tongue, tantalizing her senses and energizing her.Besides she likes it hot, just the way the comments on the post right now were hot.She relaxed fully on the lounge in the huge terrace of her room, and settled down to read the comments, which gladdened her hearts and delighted her soul./Our power couple are finally getting married! I'm so happy for them! In your fa
Chapter Thirty SixRina scoffed and rolled her eyes, "You can't do anything to me! You seem to forget that you're not the only one out for blood here!" She snarled, "You sit on your ass all day while I'm out here working! You call me useless?! I can make you useless, so watch your tongue, bitch!"She concluded angrily, and the sound of her own breathing was the only sound that could be heard for some time. She stared down at the phone and realized the line was dead."Ugh, so annoying! I wish I'd strangle him from here!" She grunted, gripping the phone tightly. The urge to smash it as well overwhelmed her but she shook it off.That was enough smashing for the day. And besides, it'd ruin things for them. He'd not be able to reach her since this was the only way he could.He was getting more and more on her nerves, but she could not blame him. This was supposed to be easy.Seduce Damien Romero and become his wife. Bear his heir and get the Empire through him, then wipe out the family.Si
Chapter Thirty-SevenThe silence in the office was so thick, you could hear a pin drop from miles away. Rina's eyes widened instantly and filled with hurt, "How could you say that, Dami?" She started, trying to give closer to him but Damien stretched out his hand.Right on cue, Liam scrolled through his iPad, found the page he was looking for, and placed it on Damien's hand.Damien's eyes never left her face and he was definitely not fooled by her innocent look, "I pay good money to ensure that MAGIC stays on the chart with top designs from so called "talented designers" but all I get is this mediocrity!" He threw the iPad to the desk with a loud clang. Some of the employees jumped at the sound, and Rina flinched as well.She reached out with a trembling hand and picked up the iPad. Her heart dropped at what she saw there. There was a picture of Muse's famous design alongside hers. The dress was a little sequin number, cinched at the waist with a flared skirt. The only difference be
Chapter Thirty-Eight"It's here!" Clarissa cooed as she walked into Lana's office, holding a dress, which was still wrapped up in a transparent bag. She held up the dress and did a full twirl with it, then stopped when she noticed that Lana was not alone in the the room."Sorry." She muttered, as she caught Lana's disapproving look. Lana shook her head as she stood up and straightened her suit. The other people in the room did as well. They were her team of directors, and had been with Lana since the company was established.They were highly capable and Lana could trust them fully, especially now that she would be away from some time."Well then, I leave everything in your care." Lana said, stretching her hand out to the head of the team.She had entrusted the company over to them and this Head Director would be in charge of things in her stead. She was capable, efficient and damn good at her job. Lana knew she was doing the right thing here.The woman shook her hand, heartily with a
Chapter Thirty-NineThe night of the galaPierre's mid-year gala was held in the Oriental Hotel, one of the most expensive hotels in Oakcrest.It was a seven star hotel, which boasted of the best facilities in the world, for the comfort of their guests.The gala itself proved to be a huge affair, with celebrities and every renowned person in attendance. The entrance to the hotel was filled with paparazzi and the press. Throngs of screaming fans lined both sides of the red carpeted entrance.Car after car rolled in and the crowds screamed louder, anytime a well dressed favorite celebrity stepped out onto the red carpet.When the Limousine rolled up to the hotels entrance, the crowd held their breath at the sight of it, straining their eyes to see past the tinted glasses.When the Romeros stepped out of it, the crowd went wild and the camera flashes increased, calling out to them, each one vying for their attention.The crowd could not get enough of them, and they screamed their pleasur
Chapter Forty"We're not a couple, Mr Evans. The engagement is false." Damien uttered coldly.There was stunned silence for a few seconds as those words sank in.Rina had gone pale and her mouth twisted into a grim line as she stared up at Damien, "D..Dami.. how could you?" She uttered in a broken whisper.Damien glanced at her and the icy look he gave her, sent shivers down her spine. Her hands on his arm dropped to her side, and she clutched her dress instead, to keep from trembling."Well, this is... surprising," Pierre uttered, completely flabbergasted with the sudden turn of events."Miss Carter and I are not engaged. That was a false article, Mr Evans and it's been taken down already," Damien continued, glancing at Lana once again "Just to clear the air from any misunderstandings.""Damien, how could you say that?" Vera whispered fiercely as Rina slumped against her, whimpering, her eyes burning with tears of rage. She cast a hateful glance at Lana who met her stare with an impa
Chapter Forty-One"You talk foolishly, Miss Carter. You're in the fashion industry, yet you don't know the top dogs!" Pierre wagged a finger in front of Rina's face angrily, "How dare you talk that way to the CEO of ALLURE?!"Vera drew in a sharp breath, her eyes widening as she looked from Pierre, who was still enraged to Lana, who had a provocative little smirk on her face.Damien just watched Lana with slightly furrowed eyebrows. He was stunned speechless by the fact that Lana was the CEO of ALLURE.True, no one knew the face of the CEO of ALLURE, although it was widely known that it was a woman. However, she stayed away from social events and only few blurry pictures of her were on the internet.On the other hand, why would Pierre lie over something like that? Pierre Evans was definitely someone who'd have met with the CEO of ALLURE.It was no wonder she changed so much. Her Aura, her exuberance, the way she looked...She was no longer the cowering, caregiver who had been married
Chapter Forty-TwoLana walked out of the hall briskly, in the same direction that Zaire did. She held her wrist, rubbing the part where Damien had gripped her. "What a jerk," she muttered under her breath, annoyed at the way her heart was still beating fast. Her face was flushed and she coul not help but think about the spark she'd felt when his huge hand had wrapped around her wrist."Ugh!" Lana groaned in frustration as she came out of the hall and found herself in the swimming pool area. At the sight of the clear, blue water of the pool and the moolight shimmering on the surface of the water, Lana wished they'd had a pool party, instead for the mid-year gala.At least she would get some of the cool night air, which was blowing softly around the pool area, ruffling her soft curls and cooling her heated skin.Lana blew out a breath of frustration, as her eyes scanned the area, looking for Zaire. She walked along the sides of the pool, her reflection shimmering on the surface of th
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FiveGary's eyes widened in alarm and they reddened in the next instant from fury."What the fuck!" He snarled, "Why am I the only one taking the fall? Are you fucking with me right now, Maya?!""Because that's the only way you can save your head! God, are you stupid or something?" She said, throwing up her hands in disgust, "I should have known better than to warn you. I'd have just let your head be blown off in the streets because you deserve it!"Gary scoffed, "That's freaking bullshit." He said, a tiny smirk curving his lips, "You don't scare me and neither does he! I'm calling his bluff."Maya laughed in disbelief, then slowly blinked in confusion as Gary puffed out his chest, tucking his hands deep in his pockets.He was really serious!Her jaw twitching with anger, she jabbed a finger in his shoulder, "Don't say I did not warn you," she snarled, "I'd like to see you so smug when you're six feet under."She stormed off, and Gary watched her, his ey
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FourAs the internal audit raged on, everyone in the affected departments was on edge.The air was thick with tension.It clawed up people's throat and pressured them into seeking religion, making preparations in case they turned up unemployed...Everyone was on edge but no one more than Gary and Maya.They had no idea of the contents of the reports that Noah had drafted out for the regional head.But the rumors flying around the company claimed Noah had practically given the Regional Head everything he needed.It was said that the Regional Head already knew who the culprit was and was bidding his time because the culprit was a big fish.Gary knew he was no big fish but those rumors kept him awake for days, tossing and turning in bed with worry.His mind kept going over everything he did with the Deluxe products for the past three years, the precautions he was sure he took, the way he made sure nothing would point back to him..."But were they really eno
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-ThreeThe discovery of the siphoned goods and the part Noah played in the big reveal spread like wild fire across the company.Everyone marveled at how he was able to pull it off himself.It was said that the reports he provided made the internal audit to move more smoothly than ever.The audtors knew where to go, who to ask questions, what questions to ask based on what Noah had provided.This earned him considerable respect in his department as well as the company. The golden haired mystery man was not as dumb as every one thought he was.Infact, he was being accorded honor by the regional head, who made sure every thing was done to the letter, following Noah's instructions."We cannot misuse such valuable information. Its time to fish out those perpetrators and clease out Romero Solutions," The regional head had declared before he gave Noah a determined look, "If this turns out successful, headquarters will be really pleased with you, Noah."And that
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-TwoThere was stunned silence in the Regional Head's office as Noah made that statement."Wh...what did you say?" The regjonal.head asked in shock and disbelief, "The batches for the deluxe products are being siphoned?! By who?"The regional Head voice was rising by the minute, and his hands curled into fists on his seat."I don't know about that, sir." Noah said, carefully choosing his words else he let something slip.He did not intend to reveal the one behind the crime, mainly because he did not know who the mastermind was.Secondly, he had no evidently of the ones he suspected. These little details will be brought to light when the Regional Manager sets the auditing team to work."When I noticed a pattern of weight discrepancies as well as other inconsistencies in the record, I had to check for myself." He continued but was stopped by Fred."What do you mean, inconsistencies?" The man asked, "What did you discover in the records?,""There were a lot
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty OneGary quickly rushed after her before she could get to the door and drew her back sharply."Hold on, you little bitch," He snarled as he accidentally grabbed her hair as well and pulled her back.Maya winced in pain as she felt strands of her hair being pulled from the scalp, "Ow!" She cried out in agony, "Let me go. At once!""Not until you explain what you mean by that little statement which you just uttered," Gary fired back heatedly."I meant exactly what I said, you piece of trash, " Maya said as she mustered her energy and stomped on his toe with her heeled foot."Ahh!" Gary cried out in anguish as pain exploded in his foot. He let go of her hair at once and doubled over in pain, trying to hold his throbbing toe but it was much too painful.Maya, seeing as she was free from his hold, turned back and stared at him in disdain, "You think I won't take protective measures for myself? You've got to be joking, Gary." She spat out, "You take care of an
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty "Something of utmost importance?" The Regional Head repeated in puzzlement, "What could that be?"Maya's heart slammed in her chest as she heard Noah say those words. Franticaly, she glanced at Gary who had also gone a little pale.A look of terror passed between them and they immediately knew what the important news Noah had for the regional head was."Stop him!" Maya seemed to say with her eyes, glaring at Gary and making motions with her head towards Noah.She was so agitated that she could not stand still. She had been so eager to want to leave this place earlier but now she wouldn't leave for all the world.She had to stay to hear what Noah had to say to the Regional Head.Quick as flash, Gary stepped in between the Regional Head and Noah.Smiling nervously, he started speaking, "Regional Head sir, why don't you allow the Senior sales manager to take you to his office, while you wait for the reports on the audit?" He turned and nodded to Fred, who
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Nine"Infact, these has got to be the best results I've ever seen in a while."Everyone stared in amazement at the Regional Head.He was giving Noah a warm and approving smile, while patting him heartily on the arm."You say they are the best reports that you've ever seen?" Fred asked as he stepped closer to the Regional Head."But that's inpossible," Gary uttered through gritted teeth, "He has no qualifications. How is he able to prepare the best reports you've ever seen?"Everyone almost groaned in annoyance at Gary's stupidity and shamelessness.Maya rolled her eyes and stomped her foot impatiently on the marble floor.It was bad enough to stand here like some kind of lackey, and watch the regional director do his job but now she had to listen with her heart in her mouth, hoping that Gary does not let any information slip."He talks too much," she thought angrily, biting her lower lip in annoyance, "if he dares to say anything concerning the deluxe pr
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty EightJaws dropped in shock as Noah stepped out of the throng of employees and stood directly in front of the Regional head.Everyone was shocked at his boldness.This was a chance for him to make his escape and blame the superiors for giving him such an important task.He was not that learned nor did he have much qualifications. They knew that, yet he was still asked to prepare the reports in such a short time.Although he did not have much chance of defending himself, since he was a lower level employee, yet the Regional head was known to be fair to others not on his level.He hated any sort of unfair practice and he would definitely side with Noah if he revealed he had been pressured into making the reports.Yet, Noah had come out boldly, as if he was ready to take the fall, the consequences of making such sloppy reports."He's done for," Greg sighed in despair, watching Noah with pitiful eyes."He really is just a golden haired dumbass," Jason agreed
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty SevenThere seemed to be a shift in the air as the regional head uttered those words.Fred immediately turned to Gary who had provided the reports from Noah.Within seconds, the report was in the senior sales manager's hands, and Fred passed it onto the Regional head."Here you go, sir." He said, "Everything has been prepared for you. We can send the shipment right away of you want."Very calmly the man took hold of the reports and went through it. The Vulcan reports were supposed to cover every detail of a huge shipment which was being sent out in a month's time.The regional head aimed to start from the report because whenever there was a big shipment such as this one, there was always one problem or the other.Whenever huge contracts like this one was given to the company, the regional manager makes sure to come down to Crestview and oversee everything himself. Now everyone, including Noah waited with bated breaths to see how he would react to the r