Chapter Twenty-SixLana walked out of the dome, blinking back the tears that was threatening to spill down her face. Even with Zaire's jacket draped over her shoulders, she was shaking terribly from the night cold and from what had just happened.Standing by the side of the tarred road, they were almost blinded by the headlights from Lana's Limo, as it rounded the corner and drove towards them.The car came to a stop in front of them and Diego jumped out of it, and went round to the owners spot to open the door.Clarissa walked in to the car and scooted over to the other side, before settling down comfortably. She bent her head and stared out at Lana, wondering why she wasn't coming in yet.Shrugging out of his suit jacket, Lana turned and handed it back to Zaire "Well then, this is it. Thanks a lot for tonight, Zaire."He looked at her sheepishly, his green eyes boring into hers "I'm sorry about what happened tonight, Lana. I never knew the Romeros would honor the invitation this ti
Chapter Twenty-Seven"What?!" Diego and Lana cried out in unison.Lana grabbed Clarissa's phone from her hands, her brows furrowed as she scrolled down reading the comments that were on the various posts.They were bashing her online, calling her a homewrecker and a troublemaker, as well as an attention whore."I bet she slept her way to wearing that finale gown!""She's not even that pretty. Rina is better than her.""Poor Rina. She's so strong. I hope she overcomes this.""I detest girls like this. I bet they are not even that interested in her. She's the one throwing herself at them!""She'd better not come between our power couple. All homewreckers should be jailed!"Lana's teeth gritted in anger as she read those comments. She was being bashed online while the real homewrecker was being pitied and praised.Ironically, nothing was said about the men who had actually been involved in the scuffle, Lana realised as a bitter taste crept into her mouth.She continued scrolling on comme
Chapter Twenty-EightDamien stood outside the Greenville Hospital, his hands tucked deep in his pocket while the cool night air played with his golden hair.They had rushed Rina to the hospital and called the family doctor, who owned the hospital. Rina had cried in pain all along and asked Damien to stay by her side all through her treatment.It was a very tearful performance and she had refused for any treatment unless Damien held her hand.Damien had obliged her, holding her hands even though it filled him with distaste and partly because his mother was on his neck to do so.Besides, Rina looked so pale, so fragile, so helpless...She was the sister of his best friend and he'd charged him with taking care of her. This had been no problem when he'd been madly in love with her, but now it irked him when she wanted to get close to him.He wondered how he'd fallen out of love with her so quickly. She was once his everything but one of the things he hates the most was a two-faced person.
Chapter Twenty-Nine "The Parcel...where's the parcel, Diego?!" Lana asked, her breath ragged. "It's here. It's in the car." Diego answered, his head and voice lowered. "Right on the passenger seat." Lana extricated herself from Clarissa and walked to the car. She yanked open the door of the passenger side, just as a shrill sound split air. It was the sound of her phone ringing. "Uhh.. Lana."Clarissa who was with the phone said, as she glanced at the caller ID. Lana ignored it. It was probably her dad. She'll talk to him later and besides, she was already on her way home. She reached down and picked up the box on the passenger seat with trembling hands. It was small and was a lightweight, Lana thought as she shook the box. It made a rustling sound, like papers but she couldn't really determine it. She reached for the purple band round it, when Clarrissa's voice stopped her again. "Lana!" She called urgently as the phone started ringing once more. It had rang out once. "Rissa,
Chapter ThirtyDiego stood up and hastened to the car. He opened the door to the passenger's door and brought out the black parcel.He handed it to Lana, who collected it slowly. Then he fell to his knees, still feeling remorseful."Oh get up, you idiot!" Clarissa snarled at him but he didn't move. Slowly, he raised reddened eyes to look at Lana, who was glaring hard at him."Do you want people to think of me as someone who maltreats their employees?" She said through clenched teeth "this is a public place. What the hell are you kneeling down for?"Immediately, he sprang to his feet, but still kept his eyes on the floor. His hands were clasped together in front of him and he looked so pitiful that Lana rolled her eyes.She stared at the black Lacquer box in front of her. It had a purple ribbon around it. Lana stared at the box for what seemed to be the longest of minutes.What was in it? What had Laura left for her?The box was small, only about a foot long and it felt light. Lana sho
Chapter Thirty-OneRina's eyes snapped open in the VIP Ward, where she'd been moved to.She lay still, frowning slightly, and pricking her ears. Something had awakened her.She sat up to listen better, and groaned when her eyes swam before her."Shit!" She grabbed her head with both hands and swore loudly. "Those damned drugs. I hate them so much," she muttered as she waited for the dizziness to subside.Finally, it did and she swung her legs over the side of the huge bed, placing her bare foot on the rug. The room was huge as well, and well lit. It was painted sky blue and the rug on the floor was so soft, it could sink a person.In the middle of the room were two white sofas, with a low table in the centre, on which sat a huge basket of fruit.She was alone in the room, and that suited her. She was still angry with Damien, over the events of the night and she was not ready to act frail right now.She was also not in the mood to act coy with Vera."That old lady is getting irritatin
Chapter Thirty-TwoLana paced up and down her room, her mind whirling with different thoughts."Do I really need to do this? I mean, Laura is dead and this parcel is five years too late," she muttered to herself.But then, Rina is still in the Romero Empire, no doubt putting her plan in place."What do I do, what do I do?" She chanted, biting her finger tips, as the wheels in her brains turned over and over again, "Should I really let Rina destroy everything Laura built? But hold on, even if I can stop her, how do I stop her?!"And there was the big question.Why on Earth did Laura send her that parcel, thinking she'd know what to do with it.Lana didn't know shit.Laura probably thought she'd know what to do with it, because she was married to Damien back then."And that was five years ago," she stopped in the middle of the room and stared fixedly into the distance, looking but not seeing "I'm done with the Romero Empire. I'm done."Suddenly, her phone rang, the shrill sound breaking
Chapter Thirty-Three"I'll work with you only if you'll let me handle MAGIC."Pierre's jaw dropped and he blinked in shock, as Lana said those words,"you'll work with me? Here in Oakcrest City?!" He had to ask again so he'd be sure."Yes, Pierre." Lana replied, her face set with a very determined expression.Pierre had a shocked smile on his face, "This was getting better and better." He thought, gleefully.However, a slight frown crossed his face as he seemed to remember the next words she had said, "And MAGIC is the catch? Why, if I may ask?"Lana remained silent for what seemed to be the longest of minutes. Her fingers clenched and unclenched as she debated within herself."Does he really need to know about Laura's parcel? I mean I could use all the help I need." She thought, biting her lip in indecision "But then, this is a delicate matter. I need to check things out for myself first, then recruit help."She inhaled deeply and answered with a cheerful, affected tone, "uh..nothing
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-SixThe door to the sales office creaked loudly as Gary slowly pushed it open.He walked calmly into the office and came to a dead stop, as everyone turned to face him immediately.The Regional Head was standing with his legs apart in the office, and his hands clasped behind him, like some sort of military commander.Flanking him on both sides were the members of the internal audit team, looking as neatly pressed and put together, with not one hair out of place or a rumple in their clothes, as though they had not just finished a grueling three weeks task.A task that could have taken them three months, and had taken the original internal team a couple of years. The other employees in that office stood behind their desks, nervously clutching their hands and giving each other side looks.Their gazes flitted from the Regional Head to Noah and back to each other. The tension in the office was palpable and they could not wait to get past the suffocating mome
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