* * *"Good morning, Grace!", Alice greets one of the cleaners as she steps out of the elevator. "Mornin Alice! How're you doing?.. Looking pretty as ever today.", Grace responds, smiling warmly at her; her mild wrinkles now showing.

                                         *  *  *The curtains are wide open and the mild rays of the morning sun start to seep into the office. It is Saturday already. And it is almost as though the place is wearing a new look. The silvery drapes are perfectly complementing the plain white walls as well as the dark grey floor. And the green aesthetic palm leaves in the large brown vase are looking especially beautiful. They would have been pure perfection, were a pair of rolled up lace panties not caught up in a thicket of their stalks. The floor adjacent to them as well is visibly littered with some items of clothing

                                            * * *  After Bale leaves, Joe quickly heads toward the outer door of the office to lock it. Then he comes back into the main office and clicks it shut as well. He sights Alice coming out of the bathroom almost fully dressed, with her shoes on and her hands straightening out her hair. Joe takes in a breath and then says with a smile, "Well.. It seems the worst is over."

* * * About a few minutes to mid-day, Alejandro walks into the waiting room of the hospital emergency ward. He finds Martha and Joe, along with some other staff of the law firm by the seats close to the counter. "The surgery is over." he proclaims. "That's Alice's father." Martha quickly whispers to Joe, as they all look up in anticipation. "The doctors will be here shortly." he adds. And then looking at Joe, he continues, "You must be Joseph King.. the newest partner at the firm." 'How is this even possible?' Joe wonders, becoming shocked that Alejandro actually knows who he is. To be honest, he is a bit afraid, especially after what transpired between Alice and him last night. Nevertheless, he concludes that there is no way Alejandro would be aware of it, at least for now. So he plays it cool. "Yes sir. I am." he replies, extending a hand. Alejandro shakes him, "Wrestler wants to know if the other members of the board have been notified of the current situation." "Yes, they ha

* * *It is roughly two days to Liz Wrestler’s funeral. The mood across the vintage upstate mansion and its now frosty surrounding vineyard is pervasively somber. Ronald has been discharged home and a number of people thus far have come to share their condolences and support ahead of the wake. Most of the visitors have been either from the firm, from some legal or government organization or some other business associates.Joe who is carrying along with him a bag of custom made greeting cards in one hand and a small box of wine in the other, walks into the house and meets Alice interacting with a few members of the house staff. One of them is trying to fix a wreath onto the threshold of the grand staircase. A lot of flowers and wreaths are currently hanging around the house at certain locations, with widespread decorations reflecting a period of mourning yet also a keen ambience of warm appeal that engenders hope.“Wow. You've really outdone yourself, Alice. This is an amazing job. The