Chapter One Hundred And SevenLana stepped into the room, giving Bella a tentative smile. Bella bowed and closed the door carefully, while Lana walked towards the two men."Alright, let me know when the meeting with the shareholders is rescheduled," Damien said, quite loudly, "It is very important that you must get back to me today."Liam bowed slightly, "Yes sir," he responded and acknowledging Lana's presence with a nod, he walked out of the room. Lana returned his nod and watched him go out of the office. She placed the small tray on the desk in front of Damien and smiled at him."Something wrong?" She asked, referring to the mention of the meeting with shareholders."No. No." Damien assured her, returning her smile,"Everything's fine."Lana sat down on the plush chair in front of the desk and pointed to the tray in front of him, "Here, have some tea," she said, "Yvette made it for you. It will help you recover." Her voice became quieter as she said that last statement, and her
Chapter One Hundred And EightLana carefully opened the box and brought out the letter Laura had left for her. She read the words which she knew by heart over again and sighed heavily.Her mind drifted back to the conversation she'd heard in Damien's office. Yvette had wanted to take the tray herself to Damien earlier, but Lana had insisted on taking it to him. This was after she'd made up her mind to tell him all about Laura's parcel. After all, he'd saved her life tonight. Even if she wasn't going to forgive him, she could also save his life as well, by revealing Rina's true self to him.She had been surprised when he'd fired Rina at her request. On further thoughts, she realized that she had not seen him with Rina for some time, and he seemed not to be fooled by her antics anymore."Then, I guess he won't think I'm crazy when I tell him all about Laura's parcel." She muttered to herself as she walked down the hallway towards his study. She stood in front of the door and took a de
Chapter One Hundred And NineZaire paused as he gritted his teeth in regret. He could not believe he'd let slip something like that.After that annoying call with Rina, Zaire could barely control his anger anymore.As well as his guilt.The thought that Damien and Lana were together in the same house plagued him, as well as the fact, that he'd played a part in putting them together.God knows, he'd never hurt her willingly but in his hearts of hearts, Zaire knew that if he could not have Lana, then no one would have her.That was what had fueled his decision to get rid of her that evening. He'd allowed himself to be swayed by Rina. He had not thought she would be sensible enough to keep evidence of their dealings, but she'd been with him for a long time and he knew Rina was unpredictable as hell.But then...What was it she had said?"I thought you and Lana had something going, " She had mocked him, "Something quite special."But you tried to kill her?! What a way to show your love to
Chapter One Hundred And Ten"Zaire?" Damien was giving her a very dark look with an eyebrow arched. He'd heard what she'd said, and anger rose up inside him. She was still talking to that jerk? Lana nodded her head, "yea, he just called to check up on me," she told him, "He heard about the incident and...""He heard about the incident?" Damien asked interrupting her, and Lana nodded once more. "Yes, he did." She replied with a sigh, "Come to think of it, I'm calling the cops. I was so distracted earlier that I totally forgot about it. We have to let them know so they can...""How did Ludovic know about your attack at the office?" Damien asked in a stern voice , interrupting her once more. Lana took a deep breath, incensed that he kept interrupting her when she was trying to say something important."Lana?" He prodded once more and she snapped."I don't know! Jeez, Damien!" She said, sharply, "He didn't really say anything about it. I know I must have misheard. He was just checking
Chapter One Hundred And Eleven.Over the next few days, Lana avoided Damien like the plague and he did his best to stay out of her way. She stared past him as though he was nonexistent to the extent that Damien felt he could not stay in under the same roof with her anymore.But then he waited patiently, waiting for her anger to thaw. He never hurried her or inputed anything since that day, although he wanted to apologize for the rest of his days.If apologizing till eternity will make everyhng right, Damien was willing to take it on. He'd walked into her room that day to apologize for his behaivour. She was right for being scared and trying to make sure she did not get anyone else caught in the fray. He was wrong for treating her like a weakling.However, when he'd held her by her shoulders and stared into her eyes, his gust was twisted with something he could not explain.She'd looked so small and defenseless that he'd wondered how she was able to get through what she did five ye
Chapter One Hundred And Twelve"Miss Lana?"Lana jerked as Mandy touched her forearm gently, trying to get her attention. She blinked in surprise, staring blankly at Mandy who nodded with her head towards the front of the hall, where a speech was being given.She sighed and gave Mandy an apologetic smile. She had been carried away with her thoughts that she had not noticed what was going on in her surroundings.The night had been going smoothly so far, except for her thoughts drifting away to a certain somebody and her mood threatening to plummet down to its lowest depth."What's the point of coming out for the first time in a while if you're going to be so distracted, Lana?" She admonished herself, and decided to focus on what she came here for. She shook her head and drew the black fur shawl tighter around her shoulders.She was wearing a long black dress, with straps and a sweet heart neckline. It was made of silk and the skirt flowed all the way to the ground, covering her feet. A
Chapter One Hundred And Thirteen Rina staggered back from the force with which Damien pushed her, to the shock of the onlookers. She gasped and stumbled backwards almost landing on her butt, but a table behind her broke her fall. Before she could get steady herself and call out to Damien again, he had disappeared through the crowd and out the door searching for Lana."Ugh!" She grunted loudly, stomping her heeled foot against the marble floor in anger and frustration. She bit her lip and thought about following them out. She could not believe Damien had pushed her away in public. She had hugged him, thinking he would never push her away in front of guests like this. She'd thought she would still be able to act weak and pitiful before him and everyone else to keep him trapped...She'd not expected him to push her away so roughly, that she'd not even had time to change tactics."Whatever, I came to this stupid event just so I can get you back," She muttered to herself, "so you're goi
Chapter One Hundred And Fourteen."Ow, let go of me! What do you think you're doing?!"Zaire marched through the crowd, ignoring Rina's cries of pain. Instead, he dragged her out of the building, and into the quiet garden by the side of the Hall.When they got to a spot where they could not get the attention of the guests in the hall, Zaire stopped and Rina yanked back her wrist from his hold."You bastard!" She spat out, as she massaged her sore wrists. There were red welts on the delicate skin, indicating where his fingers had dug into it.Zaire turned to her sharply at that word, and quick as lightening, he gave her a deafening slap that threw her to the ground.Rina cried out in pain on the floor, as she reached to touch her cheeks with her hand, trembling all over her body.She glared up at him with hate and fear as Zaire dusted one palm over the other, "You know, I really try not to get angry at you, Rina." He said, then stooped low to glare at her on the ground, his eyes red-ri
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
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Six"What?"Gary started asking but then a telephone began ringing loudly on one of the desks in the office and a colleague picked it up."Hello? really?!" The man looked alarmed. He nodded frantically as he ended the call, and looked at them all, "The Regional Head is here!"There was a general wave of murmurs and a flurry of movement occurred as everyone arranged their works, and gave their repirst last minutes touches.Gary glared at the man who had announced the Regional Head's arrival. The little fool had announced it before he even had time to think of his next plan. He turned back to Noah, who was giving him a calm look, his face devoid of any sort of emotion.Gary wagged his fingers ar him, "No games from you." He gritted, "If you try to pull a quick one on me in front of the Regional Head, I'll make sure it boomerangs on you."There was a bit of silence after that statement where both men just stared at each other, quiet hatred and fury simmer