Stephen sat back in his chair in the doctor's office as relief washed over him with the doctor's reassurance: "Everything is fine. Ariane didn't get burned by the fire at all. She's going to be okay. It was just the fear that made her pass out."Stephen let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Thank God. And Marianne?""A small burn on her arm, nothing serious," the doctor replied. "We will monitor her for a while, but she should be fine."Stephen nodded, and then the mind began to put forth questions concerning how that fire started. He glanced outside the office—the glass door—over at Marianne sitting with her eyes lost in thoughts in the waiting area. He thanked the doctor and promised he would see to the payment before leaving the office.Relief washed over him as he approached Marianne, mingling with a flush of anger. "How did it start?" he asked, trying to modulate his voice and failing to mask his agitation.Marianne's gaze rose to his—her eyes red and perplexed. "How a

Stephen stormed in the corridors of the empire, his head swimming with so many things. That was when Enoch intercepted him in great concern. Stephen had known Enoch for a long time; he was a very close associate and confidante."Stephen, I was beginning to get worried you wouldn't show up," he admitted, concern trickling in his tone.Stephen nodded hardly at Enoch's words as he pushed open the door to his office—the weight of recent happenings bearing heavily on him. Enoch followed quietly, picking up on the weight in Stephen's mood."What would you do when your family is threatened, and the prime suspect happens to be your ex-wife?" Stephen asked suddenly, looking into the distance.Enoch was startled by this but saw how solemn Stephen's face was. "Well, I would thoroughly question her and put her on absolutely strict observation for a while," he said cautiously."Strict observation," repeated Stephen, testing how the words felt in his mouth. Inside, his mind raced at the thought of

Enoch smiled to his satisfaction as the trucks belonging to the new furniture company arrived in front of the Empire Building. Large containers were filled with sleek new office furniture and all the latest equipment to bring transformation into that old space. Enoch felt a deep sense of accomplishment."Be careful with that," he called out to the movers as they began unloading, his firm but friendly tone belying his excited pacing around the delivery. "This stuff isn't cheap."One of them looked up at him then and nodded. "We'll take good care of it, sir."Enoch's chest swelled with pride. Stephen was out of town on holiday, so Enoch took the reins, and this big office refurbishment was a giant step to stamp his authority. It had cost a staggering 30 million dollars, though he felt every cent well worth it. The upgrades would reflect his taste, but more than that, they would symbolize his new role as the head of the empire.As the last of the items were signed for, and the delivery c

The waiter arrived to take their plates away, and Stephen had just cleaned his plate. Still in thought about Yuna, he looked up and said, "I'd like to order spaghetti, two chicken dishes with sauce to go, please."Marianne's eyebrow went up. "Who is it for, Stephen? We have all just eaten."Stephen's brain raced. "That would be for Yuna. She might be getting hungry; she did not look that well earlier."Marianne sighed and shook her head. "You worry too much. She's probably fine."He ignored her and eyed the waiter as he scribbled down the order and then left. In no time, the bill came—$150k. He sighed inwardly. Dinner on a luxury yacht was really very dear. He slid in his hand to find his wallet missing. He had left it in the cabin on the bed. Panic rushed in."I forgot my ATM card," Stephen said, standing up suddenly. "I'll just be a minute."Marianne frowned. "Stephen, really?""I won't be long," he said before he hurriedly left the restaurant.Stephen quickened his gait back toward

Enoch's heart was racing as he threw on his clothes. His thoughts came, one more panicked than the next. He barked at the two girls sprawled on the floor as he buttoned his shirt. "Get up and get out. Party's over."The girls stirred, grumbling as they gathered their things. The mess around him—pizza boxes, empty bottles, discarded clothing—helped increase his feeling of urgency. He surveyed the trashed living room before he let out a sigh. "I'm going to have to hire a cleaner," he muttered. "And that costs money. just like the $1.5 million we just lost."He couldn't but swear at his luck when the girls stumbled out. "Why doesn't the system choose me? Stephen's got it all: a surefire way to bring in unlimited cash. No, it's always Stephen." His anger mounted with every step toward Victor's garage.The sight of the exotic cars parked inside momentarily distracted him. Victor had always had good taste. Enoch stroked a hand over the sleek hood of one car, whistling at its design. "Man, V