Ever since James came to the realization that his family was crumbling and plunging into poverty, his life had been in turmoil. The aftermath of the stunt he pulled with Philip at Alonso's wedding, which had contributed to their downfall, weighed heavily on his conscience. Philip's life seems to be going on well, but he was terrible and he felt like he was drowning. Frustration and anger bubbled within him after the explosive outburst with his father, and the impending loss of their house only added to his distress.With a heavy heart and a cloud of uncertainty hanging over him, James decided it was best to leave his home for the night. He knew he couldn't afford to stay in a hotel, so he pondered the idea of seeking refuge at a friend's place. However, James couldn't escape the bitter truth that the so-called friends he had surrounded himself with were not genuine companions.They were nothing more than a clique of rich, entitled individuals who cared only about themselves. When fina

As James listened to the voice on the other end of the line, he couldn’t help but feel a mixture of curiosity and caution. The voice was deep and unfamiliar, yet it held a certain charisma that piqued his interest. His mind raced, trying to connect the dots and figure out who this Santos person was and why he seemed to know about his desperate situation. “I must admit, you’ve caught my attention,” James replied, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions within him. “But before we proceed any further, I need to know who I’m speaking with. Who is Santos?” There was a pause on the other end as if the person on the line was weighing his options. Finally, the voice responded, “Santos is someone who can make your problems disappear. Someone who can restore you to your former glory, Mr. Johnson.” James’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. How did this stranger know his last name? Had he been watching him? Questions swirled in his mind, but the allure of a solution to his current pred

Lyra paced back and forth in the living room, her heart racing with anticipation and nerves. Her phone continued to ring, its persistent melody filling the air. She locked her gaze on her sister, Aria, who stood before her, a mixture of concern and disapproval etched on her face. The tension between them was palpable, and Lyra knew that Aria was not in support of her sudden relationship with Alexander. Aria’s brows furrowed, and she clenched her fists, unable to hide her frustration. “What do you suddenly think he wants to tell you this early?” she questioned, her voice laced with skepticism. Lyra shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the turmoil inside her. “Certainly to know how I am doing, of course, and maybe he wants to ask if we could see each other later in the day,” she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of defiance. “Not that I have anything important going on with my time.” Aria sighed heavily, her worry deepening. “Lyra, you can’t keep brushing off the importan

Philip's gaze narrowed as he observed James across the table. The room was dimly lit, casting elongated shadows on the walls that mirrored the unease that filled the air. He couldn't shake off the memories of their previous fallout, the bitter arguments and broken trust that had once consumed their friendship. It had been months since they had last spoken, and now they found themselves face to face, forced to confront their differences.James, however, seemed unfazed by the tension, a disarming smile playing on his lips. His casual demeanor irked Philip, who expected a more serious and remorseful attitude from his former friend. But there was something off about that smile, a glimmer of deception that didn't sit well with Philip."James," Philip began, his voice laced with a cautious edge, "It's been a while."James nodded, his smile widening. "Indeed, it has, Philip. Too long, if you ask me."Philip resisted the urge to scoff at James's attempt to normalize their situation. He knew b

"Excuse me, sir. I would like to inform you that all the attendees are already present and eagerly awaiting your presence in the conference room," the secretary politely conveyed the message to the chairman. However, it seemed that the chairman was completely absorbed and preoccupied with another task, oblivious to the fact that a meeting had been scheduled for today.With a sense of urgency, the chairman clarified, "Please inform them that I will join them in approximately…” he took a short pause and glance at his wristwatch“Forty-five minutes I am currently engaged in an online meeting that holds direct significant importance for the gathering and proceedings of our upcoming discussion that would take place in that conference room." The secretary comprehended the situation and acknowledged the chairman's instructions. Of course, she had no intention of refusing; her role was to dutifully follow any directives she received.As the door swung open, the atmosphere grew thick with anti