“What is this young man talking about?” The crowd murmured in shock.
Gary's burning gaze lingered on Wayne for a while. “What gave you the audacity to barge in here and claim we stole from you? Who the fuck are you?”
“I'm Wayne Costa, the heir to the Costa Legacy you took over through dubious means!”
“What?” Gasps of amazement filled the air. “Simon Costa's son is alive? But the news said they all died in the fire?”
“I also heard that Anna Moore carried out a DNA test and found out that Wayne wasn’t Simon’s real son, he was an adopted bastard.”
“Then, what's the bastard doing here?”
“He must be dreaming if he thinks he can regain control over the Costa's assets. It wouldn’t take anything for the Moore Family to snuff his life out.”
“Oh, poor thing, he looks so thin and miserable. He must have suffered so much that he had to stoop to become a mechanic."
The crowd made their own speculations about the issue.
All of a sudden, a loud scream echoed from the side of the hall. “I said come with me!” An older woman was pulling a younger woman out the door.
Wayne’s neck stiffened when his gaze landed on Loretta Moore.
He dashed away from the commotion toward the women and yanked the woman’s hands off Loretta.
His actions was so fast that Loretta lost her footing and fell straight into his arms, shrieking in fear.
Wayne stared down at her face with so much emotion, recalling their wedding 4 years ago. Even though it was an arranged marriage, that night they talked and decided to make it work.
She was still as beautiful as ever, with her pretty blue eyes, fair pale skin and golden brown hair.
"W. . .Wayne?"
"Yes, Loretta. It's me."
She regarded him in shock. "What're you doing here?"
"Mummy! Aunt Aleena wants to lock me up!" A little girl screamed, running in through the door towards Loretta.
She stopped to stare at the man holding her mother. "Mummy, is he my daddy?"
An astonishing gasp left Wayne's lips as he stared down at a carbon copy of himself, grey eyes, dark luscious hair, and pointed nose.
"Is she-?" Wayne glanced at Loretta, his eyes filled with tears.
She pulled away from him, anger clouding her eyes.
"Is she my d. . .daughter?" Wayne gasped in disbelief.
"I had no idea we had a child. I-" his words got stuck on his tongue, he couldn't explain why his heart suddenly began racing and he felt tingles on his skin.
"She's your daughter, but are you fit to be called her father?" Wayne felt the anger in Loretta's voice.
"Daddy!" The little girl screamed, rushing to hug him.
Wayne crouched at once to embrace her. "What's your name, little girl?"
Before the girl could reply, a woman shrieked behind him. “Elsa! Get away from that man. It's wrong to embrace strangers.”
It was Aleena, Gary's wife. She was the one pulling Loretta away earlier.
“Loretta! How can you be this dumb to allow your daughter call any random stranger her daddy? It's not anyone's fault your good for nothing husband abandoned you 4 years ago!” Aleena lashed out at Loretta in a loud voice, making everyone around them began murmuring again.
Loretta Moore was one of the most beautiful women in Las Vegas, so it wasn't news that she secretly got married four years ago.
But all of a sudden, rumors spread that her husband abandoned her for another woman.
No one imagined that Wayne Costa would be her husband.
“She's just a little girl, Aunt.” Loretta replied, hurt in her voice as she pulled her daughter away.
Aleena was intentionally making a scene to humiliate and remind her of her misfortune.
“You should learn to discipline your daughter appropriately, so she won’t end up as a spoilt little brat!”
Aleena faced the little girl to scold her. “Elsa, come on. Be a good girl and apologize to him, else I would lock you up!”
Elsa flinched in fear and faced Wayne, tears in her eyes. “I. . .I'm sorry sir.” She whispered.
“I can't hear you!” Aleena yelled so loud that the girl flinched, bursting into tears.
Aleena was furious. "How dare you cry, you fickle child!"
"That's enough, woman!" Wayne gritted.
Aleena was stunned, she turned to look closely at the man for the first time.
"W. . .Wayne Costa?" Her features paled in shock and panic.
She took two unsteady steps backwards. “W. . .What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be dead?”
Wayne smirked. “Your wish of death didn't come to pass, but now I'm back to make you all pay for your misdeeds!”
“The next time I see you bully my daughter or my wife, you’re gonna regret it!” He threatened with such a fierce gaze that pinpricks attacked Aleena's skin.
She stumbled backwards and fell to the floor, her mouth wide open.
“Daddy!” Elsa shrieked happily and Wayne crouched just in time to embrace her.
He ran caressing hands through her hair. “Daddy is sorry for staying away from you for too long.”
“It's okay, daddy.” Elsa giggled, patting his hands. “I knew you would come one day, so I took care of mummy for you.”
Rumors spiked up in the hall again.
Gary stormed towards Wayne in anger. “I told you to leave already, you bastard! If you're doing this to get some money, you might as well stop before landing yourself in trouble!” He grabbed Wayne's collar angrily.
“Wicked uncle, don't touch my daddy!” Elsa screamed in such a high pitched voice and with a determination that shocked everyone present.
"Elsa, why are you screaming? Who's that poor man you’re calling your father again?" A shrill feminine voice asked from the stage.
Anna Moore herself made way through the crowd to face them.
"Wayne Costa?" Her shock was well masked when her gaze fell on him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She squinted, clenching her fists.
"Grandma, you're here." Wayne gave her a fake smile.
Anna stiffened and faced Gary. “Who let this man in that he had the guts to call me grandma? How can I be a relative to a lowly mechanic?”
A muscle ticked in Wayne’s jaw.
Anna Moore pretended like he was a stranger so people would be think he's crazy.
He never expected less from her anyway.
“I'm here to see my wife and my daughter.” Wayne replied coldly.
Anna faced him, a deep frown on her face. “Young man, you’re not related to the Moore family. It seems you have a death wish for coming all the way here to interrupt my party!” She stated, lips quivering.
“And who's your daughter? It's certainly not Elsa.” She glared down at the girl so much that she ran to hide behind Wayne. “Elsa's father is dead to us! So, get the hell out of here.”
Wayne stared at the wrinkles on Anna's face, refusing to believe what he just heard. It was all so hilarious that he burst out into a low laughter.
“After the dramatic reactions from your son and his wife after seeing me, are you still insisting I'm a stranger?”
“You’re only a bastard that bore the name Costa up until Simon’s death, he died childless after handing over all his properties to my husband!” Anna spat with so much venom.
Wayne clenched his fists. "So it's true. You actually manipulated my father into handing you all his properties before his death. You're so shameless, Anna." He replied coldly, his eyes glinting maliciously at her.
"How dare you?" A vein stood out on Anna's neck, she'd never been so insulted all her life.
What gave this idiot the right to talk down on her?
Instead of reacting to Wayne, she pulled Gary closer to whisper to him.
A few seconds later, several well-built bodyguards rushed into the hall.
Loretta took in a sharp breath beside Wayne as the dangerous looking men surrounded them.But he didn't look bothered, he only handed Elsa back to her mother with a calm face.“Elsa, can you go to your room now, Mummy will be up with you in a few minutes.” Loretta tried to get the girl away from all the chaos.“Okay, daddy. You’ll visit us tomorrow, right.”“Hmm.” Wayne nodded, his heart fluttering as Elsa leaned in to peck him, running off towards the lift.Gary walked up to the stage. “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for all inconveniences caused by this stranger and since the party is over we implore everyone to kindly take their leave.”The guests sighed in disappointment, they were going to miss the interesting show about to unfold.The Moore's were smart enough to handle family matters in private.Ashton ushered all the guests out until only close relatives of the Moore family were left- Anna and her 2 sons- Gary and Jared, their wives, children and a few member
“Mr Sidney is here.” Ashton hurried to inform them.“The Brooks’ private butler is here?” Gary gasped in amazement.The Brooks were the 1st most powerful family here in Las Vegas. The patriarch, Alex Brooks was a very hard man to please.The Moore's had been trying to make deals with him all to no avail, but now he's sending his butler over.Gary was so excited that he momentarily forgot about Wayne, making his way to the front door, his mother and others trailing behind him."Hello, Mr Sidney. It's nice to have you here!" Gary greeted the man enthusiastically like they'd known each other for years.“I would have prepared a grand welcome for you if you'd informed us that you were going to attend my party, sire.” Anna added with a wide smile.“I'm not here to attend your party!” Sidney lashed out at them. “I'm only here to deliver these gifts sent to Miss Moore.”“What?” Everyone was stunned.“Mr Brooks asked me to deliver these gifts personally.” Sidney added, gesturing his men to bri
The man emanated a fierce aura that he could even snap each of their necks off without blinking. Each of the guards took fearful steps backwards.“There’s no need for all that, Mark. I was just leaving.” Wayne replied."Who said you could leave without making that apology, punk? Seems you have a death wish!" Gary hollered at him. "And who the hell is this clown you brought, he must be your lackey begging for crumbs just like you are!" Mark flew into a rage. "Wayne, who the fuck is this old idiot sprouting nonsense? Do you want me to break his neck?""Calm down." Wayne shot a fierce gaze at Gary and he cowered behind his mother."Are you willing to consider another marriage proposal?" Anna faced Loretta to ask."Y. . .Yes Grandma."Anna turned to face Wayne. "You're lucky your wife saved you today. Next time, I won't be so gracious to let you leave in one piece, hurry up and get lost!"Mark wanted to retaliate, but Wayne stopped him, deciding to leave the battle for another day.He'd
“I had no idea you were coming, Mr Costa, please forgive me for not coming to receive you right on time!” Henry cowered guiltily, bowing in front of Wayne.The guests in the lobby gasped in shock. Why would the General Manger bow down to someone dressed in mechanic clothes? Could this man be the Ghost CEO?A shiver ran down the spine of the guards at the thought that this man they just insulted could be the CEO. Thinking in the same line, Jad took the courage to walk up to Henry. “Mr Hafford, what’re you doing? He’s just a miserly mechanic that came to beg for scraps, why are you treating him so reverently?”“What?” Henry raised his fists to smack Jad across the face. The slap was so resounding that the lobby fell into silence.“Did you just call Mr Costa a miserly mechanic? Do you have an idea who he is?” Henry raged out in anger.He’d been trying his best to impress Wayne with his managerial skills and convince him, only for his staffs to end up treating him badly.“I. . .I’m sorr
The Porsche drove into the gates of Wayne's luxurious mansion to stop in the garage, between the Lexus and the Mercedes Benz.Wayne stepped down from the car, still a little apprehensive. His mind was still gnawing around the fact that he had a daughter with Loretta.He hadn't imagined that the brief time they stayed together before he disappeared could foster a child.But then seeing her made him want to hug her tight and protect her from all sort of pain in this life.He looked around, the house had a very big field with a fountain and a swimming pool at the back.Wayne walked up the stairs with Mark beside him.4 days ago, when he was planning his trip back, he'd contacted a real estate realtor to get a house for him with high security.This house was the only one suitable, located in BirdsView Estate, one of the most expensive housing estates in Las Vegas.Wayne hadn't had time to go in and through it but he knew it contained 20 rooms, 3 sitting rooms and others.But glancing roun
“I’m going nowhere.” Wayne replied coldly, picking up his luggage and making his way to the center of the room, pausing to glance at the artworks on the wall.None of the cushions, nor furniture, paintings of even artworks that were originally placed by his father had been changed. The Moore’s were really shameless!He thought back and wondered what his father saw in them to become friends with the then helmsman, Mathias.Mathias was a straightforward and honest man but he suddenly died of stroke and was secretly buried a day later, making Wayne wonder what else the Moore’s were hiding especially that woman.“How dare you walk into this house uninvited? Does it look like we welcome every beggar on the street? It would be better you walk out with your miserable legs before we break them for you!” Nikki was outraged when she returned and met Wayne staring down at contempt at the family pictures on the wall.Wayne paid no heed to her words, he only turned to give her a sinister smile. “Y
Wayne only chuckled and balanced Elsa on his legs. “This is my father’s house so I’m going nowhere.”“Really? Daddy? You’re going to be staying with us for a while?” Elsa raised her head up to ask.“Yes, Princess.”“Elsa!” Anna scowled immediately, a bitter sensation rising up her throat cause of the loving father daughter relationship playing out between them.“Get away from that man this instant!”“No.” Elsa looked back at Anna with teary eyes. “He’s my Daddy and I won’t leave him.”All of them stared wide eyes at Elsa, wondering when she got the audacity to talk back at her Grandma.“You can’t blame the little brat, Loretta has always been bias towards teaching her manners!” Aleena rolled her eyes angrily. “Her mother is the kind of person that wouldn’t hesitate to backbite the whole family. So I can imagine her daughter refusing to listen because of a bastard!”“Elsa, dear.” Fedora tried to coax her away from him. She was the only one that spoke softly to Elsa in the whole family,
“Aunt,” Loretta sighed tiredly. “I can’t-”“You can’t do what?” Nikki snorted aloud. “You can’t get married to Brad Brooks? Is that what you’re saying, Loretta? I can’t believe you would dare to refuse Mother’s orders. Have you forgotten I helped you keep your horrible secrets?”Loretta’s face paled. “Nikki, there’s no need for-“Anna flipped her cold gaze on Nikki. “What are you talking about?”“Loretta’s restaurant has run into loads of debt!” She spat out the secret without thinking twice. “The reason why she rushed out earlier was to try to stop Mike Taylor from vandalizing her kitchen equipment!” “What?” Everyone’s gaze zeroed in on Loretta.Before Loretta got married to Wayne, she already had a restaurant that was doing quite well, but after he left, she got affected psychologically and the business suffered. Gary offered to help her manage it and placed one of his friends there but the place only got worse because the man embezzled all the money and escaped.The news made Lore
Memories of all that happened today flashed back to Alice's head.She passed the 1st round of the Oriental Catering Contest and on her way home, she bumped into that man that gave her wild goose-bumps.Nathan Reyes.Astonishingly handsome and charismatic -only when he didn't open his mouth. One of the dancers said he was a well-known business man.Alice sat up.How come she's never heard of him?She head to her table and turned on her monitor, typing his name on the browser. His pictures popped up at once.Scrolling through, she found out that not only was Nathan stinking rich, he was the grandson of a past Governor of Haiui- Greg Reyes, his father- Martin Reyes, was the President of the prominent food packaging company- Cheese&LiT Co and his mother, Lina Reyes was the best surgeon in the state.Charismatic family.There was no mention of a sibling of Nathan’s- that meant she had upset the heir to the Reyes Legacy.Even if Alice hadn’t heard of the Reyes family, she knew Cheese&LiT a
presence. “You have no right to do that! I made a simple mistake and I apologized, what else do you want?”“I do not need anything from a spoilt idiotic brat like you.” He fired back at her.Alice was red in the neck. “Who the hell do you think you are to call me an idiot? The governor's son? Even the President's son has more good manners than you do!”Nathan frowned. “You don't seem to know who I am.”“And who the fuck are you?” She shook her fists at him. “I've never heard of your name here in Haiui, aren't you just a spoilt brat that returned from abroad and got handed all the family properties on a platter of gold?”His gaze darkened, but his voice was still non chalant. “Why do I feel like you're one of those stalker ladies that have been dying to grace my bed?”“Yuck!” Alice grimaced in disgust. “I'd rather eat poop than waste my time with a man as arrogant and condescending as you are!”That statement clearly hit Nathan’s nerve cause he stood up abruptly, veins popping out on h
“I’m sorry I have no idea what you’re talking about.”“You have an idea, you freak!” Alice grabbed his collar. “You are the cause of everything that’s happened to me and my family, you fraudster!”He held her hands, “I’m beginning to feel embarrassed, Miss, Let go of me!” His thick voice resounded.Alice flinched visibly and everywhere around them became silent.“I said, let go of me!” He repeated icily.A shiver ran down her spine as she stared through the sunglasses into his eyes, leaving goosebumps in their wake.Her fingers subconsciously grabbed his collar harder.“No, you’re gonna pay for all what you did,” She insisted. “You absconded with my parent’s money only to return and flaunt it around. Everyone needs to know what cheat and fraudster you are!” Alice screamed.“What?” He gritted so angrily that she felt the waves of anger through his collar, but she didn’t care, he needs to suffer pain and humiliation.Alice turned to face the crowd. “Someone call the police! This man is
Wayne barged into the house with Mark right behind him, both of them panting heavily. "Where the hell is Mathew?" Wayne grabbed the bodyguard's collar.The guard's face was riddled with shock and confusion. "He should still be in the house, I never allowed him to leave!""What?" Wayne faced Mark in shock. What if that video had been wrong? But he had a feeling deep in his mind that he wasn't wrong.They all rushed towards the stairs, making their way straight to Mathew's room."Mathew? Are you in?" Mark hurriedly banged the door.Wayne paused to check the lock. It had been locked from outside. Signalling no one was in."No. No. No. Shit!" He swore in anger.If his mind was working perfectly, Wallock has Mathew in custody and was probably waiting for the right time to threaten him.Mark managed to break the door open, rushing in to check everywhere.No Mathew.Wayne caught a letter on the bed. It was from Mathew himself."Dear son, I'm sorry to relay this to you this way. Not especial
When Alice returned to the restaurant, customers were already teeming in, most of them asking for her mother, she managed to give them the best reply she could and after instructing the Juliet and Marie on what to do, she left for work.She prayed the Principal won't be around like yesterday, she was 2 hours late already and she wasn't in the mood to receive any tongue lashing this morning.As it happened, Mrs Sanders was right at the gate when she arrived, she beckoned Alice to her office with a stiff face.“Miss Ruiz, what time is it by your watch right now?”“I'm sorry I'm late again, my mum-”“What the hell does your watch say?” Mrs Sanders asked again, a little louder this time.“10 o’ clock.” Alice gritted.“When are you supposed to resume?” “8 o clock.”“Seriously, do you expect the parents to wait for you to resume before dropping their kids? Is this what I pay you for?”Alice kept mute.“Miss Ruiz, I'm talking to you, aren't I?”Alice sighed, she was still shaken from the or
His words sent shivers down Alice's spine, but she was determined not to show fear in his presence. “You have no right to do that! I made a simple mistake and I apologized, what else do you want?”“I do not need anything from a spoilt idiotic brat like you.” He fired back at her.Alice was red in the neck. “Who the hell do you think you are to call me an idiot? The governor's son? Even the President's son has more good manners than you do!”Nathan frowned. “You don't seem to know who I am.”“And who the fuck are you?” She shook her fists at him. “I've never heard of your name here in Haiui, aren't you just a spoilt brat that returned from abroad and got handed all the family properties on a platter of gold?”His gaze darkened, but his voice was still non chalant. “Why do I feel like you're one of those stalker ladies that have been dying to grace my bed?”“Yuck!” Alice grimaced in disgust. “I'd rather eat poop than waste my time with a man as arrogant and condescending as you are!”Th
Alice kneaded the dough thoroughly, adding some butter and re-kneading.Her fingers felt stiff but she continued anyway, they’d run out of supplies for the evening sales so she had to.The thought of abandoning everything flashed through her mind, but the fact that her mum was still lying in a hospital made her continue working vigorously.The heat from the oven sizzled her skin and made her realize that the oven was ready, as she began piling the dough in, Juliet came in.Alice looked up at her. “How’s it going over there?”“Fine.” Juliet sighed, looking her from up to down. “You can go have some rest, Miss. I’ll look after the oven.”“No, Thanks. Julie. I have to make sure everything comes out well.”“You look like you could pass out any minute from now, you’ve been working since morning, please-”“I have to work. My Mum is in the hospital.”Juliet went to put on an apron. “That’s more reason why you should have some rest. Come on, we don’t have much customers at this time, you can
The next morning while she was cleaning hastily so she doesn't have to be late for work again, Juliet suddenly rushed out of her mother's office.“Miss Alice.” She panicked. “Your mum, she fell and-”“What?” A lump formed in Alice's throat, with her heart thumping she dropped the mop and rushed to the office. Her mother was lying on the floor, seemingly lifeless.Cold fear came over her.“Mum?” Alice shook her with trembling hands. “Can you hear me? Mum?” She checked her pulse and thankfully, Mum was still breathing. “Go prepare a cab for the hospital while I bring her out.” She instructed Julie.Julie nodded and left.“Mum? Can you hear me?” Alice asked again.She burst into tears when her mother's lashes fluttered a little.Her mother was still alive!As she carried her mother over her back, she discovered in shock how much weight her mother had lost. Alice cried harder when she realized that her mum might really be sick and hiding it from her.She couldn't afford to lose her Mum.
“It's fine dear, nature has a way of gifting us something else for whatever we lose.” Mum patted her hair fondly.Alice wiped her tears to stare at her mother’s face, “You aren't surprised, why?”“I kind of figured it out when you returned home early and looking downcast yesterday.”“Mum.” The tears flowed harder. “I'm sorry for letting you down.”“You didn't let me down, love. Audition or no audition, win or lose, you’re still my precious daughter that I cherish so much.”Alice kept sobbing until she began to feel sleepy, she pulled her Mum into an embrace and whispered. “I love you, Mum and I would do anything to make you happy.”As she went to bed that night, she made a decision to never give up, no matter what came her way.The next day, Alice woke up late and ended up getting to work late, but she was relieved to find out that the Principal was not yet in school.She went about her normal activities of taking care of other people's children, feeding them, cleaning their poop, hel