"You know, you remind me of myself, or should I say you remind me of who I used to be?" Armand said to Miriam."A hopeless romantic?" Miriam asked teasingly."Yes, that's one of the many things I was," Armand said."What changed?" Miriam asked."Life. Life happened and changed a lot of things, I was forced to see reality, " Armand replied."Well, your answer is quite vague, but I won't ask for clarification. People shouldn't be judged based on what their family members have done, " Miriam replied."I'm not judging him, I'm just trying to look out for you," Armand responded."I really appreciate that, but it's not necessary. Jude is a hard-working young man. He's honest, and he's simply trying to sort out his own path. I wish people would see past his family's sins and see the potential in him, " Miriam said."Well, if he's really all you say he is, I wish you both well," Armand said."Thank you," Miriam said, a smile on her beautiful face."So, when's the wedding?" Armand as
"Absolutely not!" Vanessa yelled."Why? She could be of assistance, " Armand replied."In what way? From what you've said, it's obvious she's head over heels in love with him. She wouldn't be able to reason properly, " Vanessa retorted."We can't be certain until we try. Miriam is probably going to end up being a victim of Jude's scheme if we don't notify her, " Armand said."We will tell her, but not just yet. We have no solid proof against Jude, " Vanessa said."We do. You're a living proof. Jude has been begging you to go out with him. Even if that doesn't change her mind completely, at least it will gain her attention, " Armand said."And then what? It's going to be my word against Jude's, and we both know who to place our money on.She won't believe us. Jude's just going to tell her I'm responsible for the downfall of his parents, and now, I'm trying to bring him down, too, and she'll believe him.And then, you're going to have to reveal yourself. And if Jude finds out wh
Armand stared blankly at his computer screen. It had been almost an hour since Vanessa left to meet up with Jude.She had promised to keep him updated and text him the address where Jude had asked her to meet him, but she hadn't sent anything.Armand felt restless. Was Vanessa okay? A part of him knew physically hurting Vanessa was something really stupid, and even Jude wouldn't be that stupid, but still, he felt really worried.He considered calling her but decided against it. Vanessa was a strong woman. She could look after herself. Besides, it's just been an hour. It's possible she was yet to locate the place.Many thoughts kept flashing through Armand's mind, and suddenly, his phone rang. Without looking at the caller ID, he answered."Vanessa! What happened? I've been worried sick about you. Are you okay?" Armand asked."Woah, slow down." The person on the other end of the phone replied with a light laugh."This isn't Vanessa. Who is this?" Armand asked."No, this isn't V
"The Armstrong empire?" Miriam asked."Yes," Armand simply replied."Yes, I do know where it's located, but what has that brand got to do with my question?" Miriam asked."It has a lot to do with it. We need to go there, but first, let me confirm if Vanessa is back in the office." Armand replied.He quickly sent a text to Vanessa, and she confirmed that she was in the office and was waiting for him. He assured her he would be there soon."Armand, what's going on?" Miriam asked."Just drive to The Armstrong empire. When we get there, I promise to explain everything," Armand said."How can you expect me to just drive off to a place I know no one? Besides, my fiance just called me and he sounded really scared, I'm supposed to be with him right now, I just need you to answer this simple question about how you know where he is" Miriam screamed."Calm down, I can assure you, your fiance does not need you running to him right now. He's safe," Armand said reassuringly."How can you b
"Why?" Miriam whispered."That's the same question we've been asking ourselves, and we're yet to figure it out," Armand replied."I'm really sorry for springing this up on you, but you just had to be told the truth.We may not have been friends for a long time, but I know you have a good heart, and I can't stand by and watch you get hurt, " Armand said.Miriam was trying to process everything. This was the last thing she was expecting to hear.Her thought was distracted by the message sound on her phone going off.She brought out her phone and realized it was messages from Jude. He sent not just messages but pictures as well."Is everything okay?" Armand asked Miriam when he realized she just continued to stare at her phone for a while."Jude sent me pictures, and he's hurt. Listen, I know he may be up to no good, but I can't sit back and watch while he's in this condition.I'm not going to tell him about any of what we've discussed, but right now, I need to be by his side, "
"Number one," Armand started."Jude can bring up the name Vanessa Chapman." Armand said.Miriam scoffed loudly."That's not possible," Miriam said."Hold on, I'm not done yet. Jude could bring up Vanessa's name and tell you about her and about his past relationship with her. I believe he would also mention how badly he had treated her and how he deeply regrets it. He could say she had an involvement in what happened to his parents, and instead of resenting her, her actions awakened something he had been bottling in. Jude would then confess to you that he had rekindled his relationship with Vanessa, and he realizes he's in love with her. And then he'll claim it would be unfair to you for him to proceed with the marriage, knowing fully well his heart belongs to another." Armand explained and paused."I think I get it. This is a possibility. Jude knows you have a kind heart, he knows you would never force him to marry you, he's aware you love him deeply and rather than him being in
Confusion. That was what Vanessa and Armand felt. They were still trying to process Miriam screaming so loudly when a knock on the door startled them."Mr Armstrong, is everything okay?" Armand's secretary asked and immediately entered his office."Sure, everything is okay," Armand replied."I heard the scream and I rushed to find out what the problem was," the secretary replied, her eyes fixed on Miriam."You don't have to bother yourself. Our friend here, Miriam, she just received really terrible news, so she just needed to let it out, " Vanessa explained."Oh, I see. I'm really sorry about whatever it is she's going through. I'll leave you guys to comfort her, " the secretary said and left.Miriam had stopped screaming. She just sat in her chair weeping profusely.After exchanging looks, Vanessa went over to console Miriam. She moved one of the chairs so she could sit in front of Miriam, however, she still maintained a reasonable distance so it wouldn't seem like she was
Miriam paused. She stood in front of her cousin's door, but somehow, she couldn't get herself to ring the bell.She contemplated knocking instead, but she hesitated. She couldn't believe she was about to go through with the plan.It was a plan she had come up with, but if she had been told a week ago that she would be standing in front of Antonia's door and about to test her fiance, she wouldn't believe it.The plan was simple. She would go to her cousin's house, hide, and then Antonia would invite Jude over.When he got there, Antonia would look for a way to make him reveal a bit of his plans to her, and she was convinced he would because he was already opening up bit by bit to her.Miriam couldn't believe that. Not only did Jude not really love her, but he was willing to disrespect her by having a thing with her cousin.A part of her wished everything they had planned out would go accordingly, but a tiny part of her still wished it would all be a lie, but in her mind, she