Every eye turned towards Seraphina. Her voice was the least expected to be heard.“Sit down, Seraphina. This is not the time for jokes,” Ariana retorted, causing the entire hall to burst into murmurs.Ariana’s words chipped away part of Seraphina’s confidence, but she remained firm.She cleared her throat and said,“I am very much aware of that, Ariana, but as Grandma said, the Lockwood family needs this contract, and unlike the spineless wimp that you are, I am willing to do what it takes to help us get it.”Alexander smirked excitedly at his wife's witty and snarky response.“How dare you talk to my wife that way?” Ezekiel, Ariana's husband, rose to his feet and yelled.Ezekiel, too, was a son-in-law of the Lockwoods, but he was the complete opposite of Alexander. He was valued and respected by the Lockwood family because he came from a relatively wealthy background. Although not nearly as wealthy as the Lockwoods, but wealthy enough to raise his voice in their meetings.“Your wife’s

“Meet Ethan Bishop, Seraphina’s new husband.”Alexander could feel a sting to his every pressure point. He looked around the room until his eyes met Seraphina’s, hoping she would tell him her mother was joking, but instead;“We need to talk,” she said.That’s a phrase that has never been a good sign, anywhere in the world.Alexander followed Seraphina into their bedroom and closed the door shut behind them.Seraphina began by rubbing, locking, and intertwining her fingers in an awkward manner, making it obvious that she was about to drop a bombshell, one too heavy for her tongue to carry.“Is it true?” Alexander asked as he walked straight up to her face.“Firstly, I’m really sorry for kicking you out of the car and leaving you on the highway. I was just so angry at the time.”“I understood, apology accepted. Now answer me, Seraphina, is it true?” he asked.His voice was firm and authoritative. Seraphina had never heard him speak to her this way. She froze.“Seraphina,” he called to h

After all was said and done, Alexander and Seraphina went to bed a while later.Yet they both still woke up about the same time they normally would despite their short sleep. Seraphina hurried to the Lockwood Company. She had to prepare her proposal for the Maverick contract; which was due by tomorrow.Alexander, on the other hand, made sure to finish all of his house chores. After that, he proceeded to the Maverick Corporation......Today was a bit more hectic than the previous one. He had to go through the company’s financial records, analyzing their expenses, profits, and why exactly a company that once ranked in the top 300 in the global market now dangled at the bottom 900. That being said, the Maverick Corporation still remained one of the richest companies in Pantheon Valley.“Sir, may I come in?” Grace knocked at his door.“Yes, come in.”Grace Pemberton walked into Alexander's office. Alexander lifted his head from his mountain of work and looked at her. The first thing Al

Seraphina entered the office.The door was closed behind her by the attendant that ushered her in. Now it was just her and a young lady who was on the phone, standing by the table on the other side of the room. It was Grace Pemberton.“Seraphina Chase?” Grace asked, partially still on the phone.“Pardon?” Seraphina said, taken aback by such a glaring name error.“You're Seraphina Chase?” she restated, as she cut off from the phone.“No, I am Lockwood, Seraphina Lockwood,” Seraphina clarified.“Oh, forgive my mistake.” Grace walked over to her, apologized, and gave her a handshake.“It’s alright. I am just happy to be here,” Seraphina shook her hand and replied. But the thought of it still plagued her:Why would the Assistant CEO of Maverick Corporation refer to her by her husband’s last name?Throughout their marriage, Seraphina had never once used Alexander’s last name along with hers. So how did Grace Pemberton know or rather mistake her surname for her husband’s?“Come, have a seat,

24 Hours Ago**Jerry Fisher stormed out of Maverick Corporation, filled with rage, contempt, and jealousy toward Seraphina. Most of all, he was panicking. How on earth was he going to explain to the Board of Directors and the heads of the Fisher family that he had lost a two hundred million dollar contract?The Fishers had already arranged a settlement with the Bishops to increase their chances of securing the contract. Now, not only had he failed to get the contract, but the settlement with the Bishops had also gone to waste.Jerry stormed into his car and drove off, his mind far from the road as he tried to come up with a believable explanation to give to his superiors and to himself. He thought of many, but none seemed to make enough sense.Then, suddenly, it hit him. A few days ago, he had heard rumors of Ethan Bishop offering a certain someone the Maverick contract in exchange for their hand in marriage. He had also heard that the deal didn’t go through.But what if it did? It wo