Being confused, like a cat in a room full of mirrors, Isabella wondered why the video had suddenly gone blank. Hence, she tried to play the video again, and the video began again from the real beginning."What is happening?" Isabella asked herself with a low voice, sounding more or less like a whisper. Thus, she said again in the same manner, "That could not have been the end of the video, right, Alexa?""That is the end of the video, Isabella," Alexa voiced, her words certain about the video."But how? How can a video just end by going blank? What kind of report is this from GNN?" Isabella asked again, curious, like a lost bird in the middle of the desert."Why do you think the video should not have ended like that, Isabella?" Alexa spoke again, her voice gentle, like that of a dove quietly signaling the serenity of dawn."The male reporter was asking a question, and the video ended after his question. There is a continuation somewhere; it's just not here.""You are right, Isabella.
Even so, despite Isabella already flaring up, it didn't mean Alexa wasn't going to ask another question. In that moment, as Isabella kept her eyes on the road and drove so fast, resembling a racer on the track, and sped past each different car on the road like a bullet racing through a tunnel, Alexa voiced again,"I apologize for this question I'm about to ask, Isabella. But I've been wondering about this for a long time, even before we became partners. So, now that we are partners, it's only right that you clear my doubts so I can know, right?" Alexa waited in this instance for a response from Isabella, but if she got any, it was a lie.And even though Isabella said nothing at this moment and only maintained her focus on the road, Alexa pressed further like an erring kid who was not ready to listen to instruction after several warnings."What if Davis wasn't so controlled by his mother, and he was just the kind of man you wanted? You would have gotten married to him in this short tim
"Who the f**king hell are you?" Isabella yelled once more. But even at that, the voice on the other end of the call took it as a joke, and immediately, the voice laughed like a cheesy cat amused by the death of a thieving rat. "Hahaha... why are you so eager? Did you offend someone?" The voice asked, while the voice still kept laughing amidst her words and continued, "I will give you two options to pick from." Am I the reporter? Or am I Alexa, the most brilliant Artificial Intelligence in the world?" It did not matter what the voice said at this moment. Isabella was not in for this anymore, and thus, she only yelled back like a bullied kid who was tired of all the bullshit happening to her suddenly amidst the onlookers around her. "F**k you, and I am going to hang up the call right now if you won't tell me who you are." "Are you threatening me? I should be the one to do the threatening. So, let's start again." The voice responded. Even so, if Isabella would respond to that, it wa
Even when Alexa continued to talk, Isabella termed everything she said nonsensical words as she paid little to no attention to it. Hence, even when Alexa expected a response from her, Isabella only gave her perfect silence as she only focused on the road.Now, at this moment, Isabella has arrived at Havenbrook and indeed at the FlavourFusion Bistro restaurant where her father was to meet her.The restaurant exuded a charming ambiance that seamlessly blended indoor and outdoor spaces. At the top of the building, which was painted a shining gray color, Isabella saw that the name of the restaurant was perfectly designed in a 3D design, which read "FlavourFusion Bistro."Similarly, the restaurant was at the tip of the road, with passersby going to and fro in front of the restaurant. Among those who walked to and fro were a few who decided to grab a seat at the outdoor spaces of the restaurant and, hence, placed their orders with one of the waiters while they conversed.Another thing Isabe
Without further delay, Isabella listened to Alexa and walked to the trash can near her car like a detective closing in on a vital clue. Hence, she opened it and searched inside, seeing a scarf just as Alexa had told her she would.Immediately, she turned to the left and glanced around like a wary fox assessing its surroundings. Seeing that no one noticed her, she used the scarf on her hair to cover her head, concealing her face as if it were a secret.With the same determination, at this very moment, she put on the sunglasses she had picked up from her car trunk. And she looked like a blind woman intent on keeping her eyes hidden without revealing her irises.Once again, she glanced at her dad from a distance, observing how he continued to look both to the right and left, obviously anticipating her arrival like a ship spotting a lighthouse in the distance. Without hesitation, she began to walk, approaching him with quick strides like a sprinter nearing the finish line."Isabella, if y
Browsing their eyes through the food list on the menu, as if deciphering hidden messages in a cryptic code, they found that each food on the list cost more than one hundred and fifty dollars. Only appetizers or small plates have their prices starting at around ten to twenty dollars—such as small seafood dishes, artisanal salads, or unique appetizer options.Isabella, knowing that she still had money left in her account, looked at her father from the top edge of the menu to see if he had already placed his order, perhaps waiting for her to finish.However, when she looked up, she saw that Alexander had not made an order. In fact, he had been staring at her all along. And upon realizing that Isabella had caught him staring, he smiled and then covered his face completely with the menu book, resembling a shy kid afraid of being stared at by strangers."Dad?" Isabella called at this moment, her voice ringing aloud like a bell ringing through a quiet chapel. Immediately, she snatched the me
"But what about you? Where will you live until everything is sorted out?" Isabella asked, stretching her hands towards her father's hand, holding him, and looking directly into his face. Alexander, on the other hand, said nothing immediately. He directed his gaze at how Isabella held his left hand and then gently placed the cup of coffee on the table. He then took hold of Isabella's other hand. As they now both held each other's hands, they gazed at each other like an emotional storm. The gentle breeze of poignancy fell upon them, and with this, their eyes teared up suddenly as the situation turned into a mournful cry of a father and a daughter who might not set eyes on each other again. Suddenly, Alexander released his grip on one of Isabella's hands. "People may be watching," he said hurriedly, forcing a smile that seemed to be pulled out of a river of tears. He continued, "Although your mother took the beach house from me and other houses elsewhere, I will be fine, Isabella. Do n
"How can you say you know nothing about the money siphoned into a private account by your ex-husband? You literally shared the same bed every night when he came back from work. You served him breakfast every morning before he went to work. He was your partner, and how come you're claiming this?" The journalist asked, crossing her legs and turning to face Victorial more appropriately.The journalist had a poised appearance that exuded confidence and authority. She wore a well-fitted charcoal gray pantsuit with a tailored blazer that accentuated her figure and a crisp white blouse underneath. The straight-legged pants she wore complemented the ensemble with a touch of modernity.Her demeanor was approachable and engaging, as reflected in her warm smile and attentive posture. She had a natural yet polished makeup look, featuring neutral tones that enhanced her features without overshadowing them. Her eyes were defined with subtle eyeliner and mascara, while a soft, rosy lipstick added a