After Death

Part 1

The luxurious mansion belongs to the Sharon family. A prominent family in the city. 

"Mum, today Ronald Brown is coming back to town. He's giving us the opportunity to work with him. Isn't this a good offer?" said a young, handsome man, wearing a black suit and stuffing one hand into his trouser pocket. He stared out of the window, which offered a view of the green expanse of grass. 

"What, you mean Ronald Brown, Amanda's ex-boyfriend?" 

A mature woman, in her fifties and with light wrinkles on her face, looked very surprised when Ronald Brown's name was mentioned. It was as if the name was a time bomb that could explode at any moment. 

"Yes, he's now a successful businessman surpassing his parents." The young man turned around, now looking straight at the woman, whom he called mum. 

The mother-daughter pair were talking about business. Cooperating with the Brown family's company was a great honor for them.

***

A few hours later, there was an uproar in Sharon's family office. Unintentionally, the beautiful and elegant-looking woman left an important file in her husband's car. Amanda panicked and asked her husband to deliver the file.

The arrival of the young man, Ronald Brown, was warmly welcomed by Arnold, Amanda, and Mrs Miranda.

"Welcome to our company, Ronald" greeted Mrs Miranda enthusiastically and showed her best smile.

"Thank you, Aunty." Ronald smiled, slightly. His gaze then turned to the beautiful woman, who was once his girlfriend.

"Amanda, how are you? You're getting prettier," Ronald complimented her sincerely. He raised one hand. However, he decided not to shake hands with Amanda.

The beautiful woman, who already had a husband, just smiled a little, without returning Ronald's compliment. 

"Ronald, please sit down!" Arnold invited him and Ronald nodded. Although he was actually annoyed that Amanda didn't care. 

In the midst of the brief and awkward conversation, the contract between the two companies was finally signed by Amanda and Ronald. 

"Amanda, can you accompany me to dinner tonight?" asked Ronald very carefully.

 "Sorry, Ronald. Tonight I have an event with my husband. Maybe next time we can have dinner together." Without hesitation, Amanda refused the invitation. 

Hearing the words of refusal that came out of Amanda's mouth, made Mrs Miranda feel disappointed. She couldn't get it out of her head that Amanda had wasted a golden opportunity, which might not come a second time. 

"Amanda, just accept the offer. The event with Jeff, you canceled it. You can make an event with him anytime," Mrs Miranda pressed, pinching Amanda's waist. 

"Mum, I wouldn't go without my husband's permission!" argued Amanda, who couldn't hide her annoyance at the woman who had given birth to her.

The argument between mother and daughter was overheard by Ronald. 

"Aunty, don't push Amanda. Let her enjoy the event with her husband. They are newlyweds after all. By the way Amanda, congratulations on your wedding." Ronald interrupted and forced a smile. 

"Thank you for your understanding and kind words, Ronald."

"You're welcome. I hope next time, you won't turn down my dinner invitation. Alright, I'll be going."

There was a tinge of disappointment on the face of the man, whose name was well known. In the city, there was no one who did not know Ronald. 

"Sir, I assure you that next time Amanda will accompany you to dinner, but you will not be having dinner with two of you, but three of me!" someone exclaimed, instantly breaking the silence in the room. 

There was no one who didn't turn round. Amanda smiled gently at the man who had just arrived. 

I wonder when Jeff had been in the room? Maybe Jeff could accept the fact that his mother-in-law and brother-in-law always insulted him in front of many people. However, as a husband, Jeff would not accept it if his wife was flirted with by another man. 

Jeff swung his legs, approaching those who had been in the room for a while.

"Excuse me, sir. Who are you?" he asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Introducing, this is Jeff... He is my husband." Amanda interjected proudly, before Jeff could get the words out. 

Jeff smiled gently and shrugged his shoulders slightly. He handed over the file sheet Amanda had requested.

"This is the file you need and I've printed the file you need," Jeff said softly. 

"Thank you, dear. Sit with us," pleaded Amanda, who grasped Jeff's hand tightly, right in front of Ronald's eyes.

Amanda and Jeff are openly building harmony in their household. Meanwhile, the man who still had his heart set on Amanda was visibly upset. Ronald could not hide his jealousy. He cast his gaze to the other side. 

Jeff, who had caught Ronald's change in demeanour, smiled triumphantly. In reality, money doesn't always make you happy. Even though she and Ronald had very different positions. In fact, Amanda was more comfortable in his arms than Ronald's charms. 

"Mr Ronald, why are you looking away in front of me?" asked Jeff baitingly, so that even those who had been oblivious were now simultaneously staring at him.

"Maybe it's just your feelings!" said Ronald without looking at Jeff. 

"Are the papers ready? I'll sign them," continued Ronald, who still couldn't hide his dislike for Jeff.

"Already Ronald, this is the file you need to sign." Amanda handed him the important file. 

Shortly afterwards, Ronald left the room, not in the best of moods. 

Only a few minutes after Ronald's departure. Amanda and Jeff, again, received sarcasm from the family. 

"Amanda, you should have accepted Ronald's invitation. It's just dinner, why would you ask Jeff for permission!" scolded Arnold, who didn't cover his mistake. 

"What your brother said was right, Amanda. I don't think Jeff will mind. Especially since it's for the sake of the company. If our company thrives, he'll share in the rewards!" chimed in Mrs Miranda. 

"Never mind, Mum. Dinner or not, the important thing is that Ronald signs a contract with us, right?" Amanda defended herself. She hated to hear the insults that her mother and older brother threw at Jeff's self-esteem. 

"I think Ronald was forced to sign it. You too Jeff, why are you reprimanding Ronald. He's a big investor who will help our company. You should have spoken more politely to him," Mrs Miranda scolded, so annoyed that she looked away.

"Sorry, Mum. I can't let Amanda go with another man. Especially since Amanda is pregnant. I have to look after her.”

Arnold was furious with his brother-in-law's statement. "Hi Jeff. We can look after Amanda a lot better than you can look after her. So don't make that an excuse to cover up your jealousy or selfishness."

"Arnold, I deserve to be jealous because I love Amanda!" insisted Jeff, whose voice was no less high than his brother-in-law. 

"Stop it Jeff! A poor man like you seems to think only of love. Think about your future too. I don't want you to make Amanda suffer!" 

Jeff realized that wealth and the throne were everything to Sharon's family. Amanda's husband immediately bowed his head and did not dare to argue. 

After he had finished insulting and blaming Jeff for a mistake he had not made. Mrs Amanda and Arnold finally left the room.

Amanda hugged Jeff tightly and said, "Don't pay any attention to what they say. Mum and Arnold just want you to be upset.”

Jeff nodded, as he kissed Amanda warmly on the forehead. "You know how I am, don't you? I never took what Mum and Arnold said seriously. You take it easy, sweetheart. I'm more worried about the child in your womb."

Hearing this, Amanda hugged Jeff even tighter. 

Meanwhile, in a separate room. Quite far from where Jeff and Amanda were.

"Arnold, it looks like Ronald still likes your sister. His eyes and body language can't lie."

"I feel that way too mum. Ronald's arrival will likely help us enough to make Amanda forget about Jeff sooner." Arnold grinned while puckering his lips. 

"Isn't that exactly what we were hoping for? I've had enough of that poor man living in our house! The sooner he's out of our lives, the better!"

Ronal's arrival had a tremendous impact on the Sharon family. Miranda's intention to get rid of Jeff from the Sharon family grew. 

Miranda actually disliked Jeff, because he had no money at all. Jeff was like rubbish in this family. For Miranda. Amanda was a stupid woman, who would marry a poor man. 

"I will ask the mafia to execute Jeff immediately! Once that poor man is gone, Ronald will be free to approach Amanda. That means our company has a chance to become an even bigger company." Arnold clenched his palms together with a sardonic smile. 

"Get rid of that man without leaving a trace. Don't let anyone else suspect us!” Mrs Miranda grinned.