Kendrick pushed through the crowd, his mind still wrestling with Christy’s words. The air was thick with celebration, but he felt the weight of impending disaster pressing down on him. As he neared the exit, he glanced back at Christy and Twain, the tension between them palpable. He turned his attention back to the party, steeling himself for what lay ahead.Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the far end of the hall. A group of disheveled party-goers had gathered, their shouts rising above the music. Kendrick’s instincts kicked in, and he felt the familiar pulse of adrenaline as he headed toward the chaos.“Stay close,” he ordered his guards, who moved in formation beside him.As they approached, Kendrick recognized a few familiar faces—people he had recently cut ties with, their resentment palpable. They were shouting accusations, waving their arms like they were trying to stir the crowd against him.“Scandalous! Corruption!” one man shouted, his voice dripping with contempt. “Kendri
Kendrick stepped into the inner chamber, a space adorned with polished marble and elegant chandeliers that hung from the ceiling like constellations of crystal stars. The atmosphere was one of opulence, designed to reflect his standing in Texas politics. Here, amidst the muted whispers of staff and the soft clinking of glasses, he felt a sense of control that had briefly slipped from him in the chaos outside.The room was expansive, with deep mahogany furniture and plush seating that invited conversation but also demanded respect. Kendrick’s gaze fell on the walls lined with accolades, framed articles, photos with dignitaries, and awards that testified to his influence and success. He felt a surge of pride, but also a nagging anxiety about the unrest he had just quelled.As he adjusted his cufflinks, a low rumble outside drew his attention. The unmistakable roar of a luxury engine heralded the arrival of his fiancée, Bridget. She always made an entrance worthy of the occasion, and ton
Kendrick stepped out of the hall, the chaos of the celebration still echoing in his ears. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension that had gripped him just moments before. Bridget stood beside him, her presence a calming force amid the whirlwind of emotions he was navigating.“Are you okay?” she asked, her eyes searching his face for signs of the turmoil he had tried to mask.“I will be,” Kendrick replied, forcing a smile. “Tonight was just a hiccup. Let’s focus on the future.”He led her to the waiting cars, a convoy of sleek black vehicles parked in a perfect line outside the entrance. The night was draped in darkness, the only illumination coming from the streetlights that cast a soft glow on the polished surfaces. Each car exuded power and prestige, a testament to Kendrick’s status.As they approached the first vehicle, Kendrick opened the door for Bridget. She slid in gracefully, her gown catching the light as it flowed around her. He followed, closing the door fir
Kendrick and Bridget stepped back into the main hall of the Peterson mansion, where laughter and clinking glasses filled the air like music. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, yet a shadow hung over Kendrick’s thoughts. He led Bridget through the crowd, introducing her to family members, their warmth enveloping her like a well-worn blanket.“Bridget, this is my cousin, Emily,” Kendrick said, gesturing to a lively woman with sparkling eyes and a welcoming smile. “She’s been my partner in crime since we were kids.”“Nice to meet you, Emily,” Bridget said, returning the smile.“Finally, someone who can keep this guy in line!” Emily laughed, giving Kendrick a playful nudge. “You’re in for quite the ride.”As the evening progressed, Bridget seamlessly engaged with his family. Kendrick watched, filled with admiration as she shared stories and laughed easily, her presence brightening the room. For a moment, he allowed himself to forget the tension brewing just beneath the surface. H
Two days after the tense evening at the Peterson mansion, Kendrick stood before a sea of people in the grandest ballroom Texas had ever seen. The ballroom was alive with the hum of excited chatter, the clinking of glasses, and the sound of strings playing softly in the background. The walls, adorned with cascading white roses, shimmering chandeliers, and golden accents, made it feel like something straight out of a dream. It was an event the city would remember for generations. In the center of it all, Kendrick was dressed in a sleek, custom-made black tuxedo, the deep sheen of the fabric catching the light as he turned to face the guests. He looked out at the crowd, his breath caught in his chest as he realized just how monumental this moment was not just for him, but for Bridget too. His heart raced, but not out of nerves. It was pure anticipation. This was the biggest day of his life, and Bridget was at the center of it all. His life with her was beginning. The reception hall h
Bridget Collins, would you marry me?” Kendrick Peterson said, with a smirk on his face as he knelt on one knee in the room he had decorated with rose petals, balloons and ribbons. It was a dream come true for him, he couldn't believe what he had thought to be an unfortunate circumstance was in fact his moment of breakthrough. He Met Bridget Collins in the most unsuitable ways. He had just implemented a new administrative act that enforces payable hours and allowed leaves and breaks to nursing mothers, he also pushed to check the pipelines, its proceeds and have it reported to the company directly. The board of directors were not satisfied with the change and threatened to pull out their investment, Mr. Charles Peterson was furious and scolded Kendrick saying he wanted to ruin what he had spent years building. “If you put up with this irresponsible attitude, I will leave this company to one of your distant cousins to run” Mr. Charles was irked and angry when he blurted those words ou
Kendrick and Bridget sat in the opulent office of renowned wedding planner, Julian St. Clair. Julian's reputation for creating fairytale weddings had drawn them to him, despite his hefty price tag.“As I envision it, the ceremony will take place on the Peterson estate's grand lawn,”Julian explained, his eyes sparkling with creativity. “We'll have a floral archway, custom made aisle runner, and…”“Julian, this sounds amazing” Kendrick interrupted, “but can you make it even more spectacular? I want this wedding to be unforgettable.”Julian's smile widened. “I'll make it happen, Kendrick. But I have to warn you, some people are sceptical about your ability to pull off a wedding of this magnitude.Kendrick's jaw clenched. “I'm aware. But I'll prove them wrong.”Bridget's hand found his, offering reassurance.As Julian began discussing the wedding details, Kendrick noticed Bridget's unease. She seemed distracted, her eyes fixed on Julian.“Bridget, is everything okay?” Kendrick asked, conc
Bridget's past finally caught up with her. A mysterious figure from her previous life arrived in town, threatening to expose her secrets. He went to Peterson's estate screaming on top of his lungs, waking Kendrick from his sleep. Kendrick looked out the window to see bridget begging the man to leave, he quickly ran out and pushed bridget behind him“Who are you?” Kendrick demanded, shielding Bridget.“I'm someone who knows the truth,” the figure replied, handing Kendrick a folder containing shocking revelations. The man handed a folder to Kendrick and asked him to go through it.“Everything about this fraud is in there,” the man said as he walked out of Peterson's estate.Kendrick confronted Bridget about the folder's contents. “Why didn't you tell me?” kendrick askedBridget's tears flowed. “I was protecting you, Kendrick. I didn't want to lose you.”Kendrick stormed out of the house and drove out to Richard’s house. Richard had asked to partner with him and reveal the dirty secret