Amelia was sitting on a divan under their house with one leg crossed over the other. She was rolling a small, engraved ball between her fingers as she spoke to Emily."I just can't help but feel that Mark is acting smart," Amelia said, frowning slightly. "He's been getting too involved in Dave's affairs lately."Emily cleared her throat and answered with a simple "yes."Amelia turned to her sister, the ball still rolling in her hand. "Do you think so too?"Emily nodded slowly. "I do, Amelia. But at the same time, I have to admit that I kind of like it. By the time he's done destroying Dave, we'll all be happy again."Amelia raised an eyebrow, surprised by Emily's statement. "Destroying Dave? That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"Emily shrugged. "Maybe. But Dave has been causing so much trouble with us ever since he became wealthy, and I feel like Mark is the only one who can really put a stop to it. Plus, he's been a big help to Mom and Alexander Cromwell. I don't think we should under

Dave sat at his desk, glancing at the clock as the minutes ticked by. It had been a long day, and he found himself missing Alice more than ever.They hadn't seen each other in weeks due to their busy schedules, and he wanted nothing more than to hear her voice. With a sigh, he picked up his phone and dialed her office number.On the other end of the line, Alice's phone began to ring. She looked at the caller ID, and a smile immediately spread across her face as she recognized Dave's number. She quickly picked up the phone, her heart racing with excitement. "Hey, Dave," she answered, her voice filled with warmth."Hey, Alice," Dave replied, relief evident in his tone. "I just wanted to check up on you. It feels like it's been forever since we last talked."Alice leaned back in her office chair, her fingers playing with a strand of her hair as she listened to Dave's voice. She couldn't help but feel a flutter of happiness at his words. "I know," she said softly, "it really has been too l

"Sure," Dave replied with a smile, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and affection. He shifted the gear, smoothly guiding the car back onto the road as Alice's heart danced with excitement.The people seen through the car window seemed to blur, the passing scenery merely a backdrop to the magnetic connection between them.As they approached the restaurant, Dave's voice grew softer, and the energy between them shifted from playful to something more intimate.I'm really glad you could join me today," he confessed, his eyes never leaving the road for too long.Alice's heart swelled at his words, and her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "I'm glad too," she admitted, her own voice carrying a mixture of vulnerability and excitement.She stole a glance at him, captivated by the way his gaze held a depth of emotion that mirrored her own.Dave found a parking spot near the restaurant, and the engine's hum faded into silence.The car doors opened simultaneously, releasing a rush of f

Mike joined him on the couch, his presence a reassuring anchor in the midst of the whirlwind of feelings. "It's been quite a day," Mike agreed, his voice gentle. "But you know, we've managed to handle it all just fine."Dave nodded, his eyes opening to meet Mike's gaze.A faint smile played on his lips, gratitude and fondness reflecting in his eyes.I couldn't have asked for a better partner in all of this," he admitted, the weight of his words carrying years of shared experiences and support.The maiden, Jessica, entered the veranda with a tray in hand, bearing glasses of ice-cold water. Her calm presence was like a soothing breeze, offering relief from the sweltering heat. With a polite smile, she placed the tray on the table between Dave and Mike."Good afternoon, gentlemen," she greeted them, her voice a gentle melody."Good afternoon, Jessica," Dave replied with a nod, his appreciation evident in his eyes.Mike, always the one to appreciate life's simple pleasures, couldn't help

We are indeed in tough times," he muttered softly to himself, the gravity of the situation evident in his furrowed brow. With a sigh, he made his way to the dining hall, a haven where he sought solace through his meals.As he sat down, the clinking of cutlery against plates seemed to echo the persistent ticking of the clock on the wall.Dave glanced at it, a forlorn expression momentarily crossing his features. Time had become a tricky companion, teasingly moving ahead yet feeling as if it were miles away.The hands of the clock seemed to mock his predicament,A slight cough disrupted his reverie, a reminder of the fragility of his own existence.He cleared his throat, attempting to brush aside the discomfort that had momentarily enveloped him.Pushing his plate away, he picked up his phone, a modern lifeline that connected him to the world beyond the walls of his thoughts."Jessica," he murmured, the name a whispered invocation.His fingers danced across the screen as he composed a me