“Would you like a tour of the Apex Z Group facilities while you’re here?”Louis shook his head. “Not today. I have other matters to attend to.”What was more urgent now was to determine who the real owner of the doll was.If Vivian’s doll was in the attic, that meant the person who saved him years ago wasn’t Vivian at all, but someone else.Who was it, then?He needed to find that girl as soon as possible.“At your command, Sir. I’m always here to await your arrival.”John said with a bow.He then indicated that he would see Louis off, but Louis politely declined.As Louis turned to leave, the entrance door swung open and a young woman rushed in.She wore a blue and white business outfit, her figure stunning and her beauty exceptional.Her long hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, looking vibrant and bouncy.She walked briskly, almost bumping into Louis. “Oh! I’m so sorry!” she gasped, looking up at Louis with wide eyes.“It’s f—fine,” Louis said curtly and hesitantly, stepping as
“... and therefore, isn’t reliable enough for us to consider a partnership at this time.”John got straight to the point as he didn’t want to waste the time.Juliet’s heart sank to the bottom.Her face fell and her lips went pale. But she didn’t dare back down. This was, after all, her last hope!Also, the Beaumons’ last hope!How could she give up so easily?“I understand the concerns, Mr. Wales.” Juliet continued, her voice trembling and rapid.“If you’re not at ease, I can offer all of Beaumon’s overseas assets as collateral.”“I can assure you they are completely legitimate and without risk.” “Additionally, to show our sincerity, we’re willing to offer a 60%—uhm, no, I mean a 70% discount. We just need a chance to prove ourselves.”Juliet? Beaumon? J and B?Just then, a light bulb went off in Louis’s mind.Of course!He remembered!Wasn’t that the name of Vivian’s best friend, the daughter of the Beaumon Family?Moreover, and most importantly, if he remembered correctly, the d
Juliet thought it was hopeless, John Wales won’t give her a chance."Thank you for your precious time, Mr. Wales," Juliet said softly, gathering her papers.Louis's quiet presence filled the space.She turned back, hardly daring to breathe."Miss Beaumont!" John's voice cracked with sudden urgency. "Please... please wait a moment."She paused at her steps, surprised by his changed tone."I believe I've been..." John cleared his throat, stealing a nervous glance at Louis. "Would you kindly let me have a look again? Please?""Mr. Wales?""Miss Beaumont, I must apologize for my... previous comment," he straightened his tie anxiously. "Your proposal deserves far more careful consideration.""But you just said—""I was hasty, extremely hasty," John cut in. "Looking at it again, your presentation is quite... quite exceptional.""I don't understand—""Please, Miss Beaumont, allow me to review your numbers once more," John leaned forward eagerly. "The market analysis you've provided is a
"You're still here?" he asked, surprised.Juliet smiled softly. "I was waiting for you. I wanted to thank you properly.""You don't need to thank me," Louis said, brushing it off with a wave of his hand. "I didn’t do anything special."Juliet shook her head, taking a step closer. "You have no idea. If it wasn’t for your help, John Wales would never have agreed to work with us. My family and I owe you a lot."Louis raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Dinner, then? Is that your way of saying thanks?""Exactly," she said with a playful smirk. "How about it?"Louis tilted his head, as if weighing his options. "Dinner sounds good. But only if you’re paying."Juliet laughed. "I think that’s only fair."They strolled down the street, the hum of the city around them. Juliet led him to a quaint little restaurant, tucked away from the main road.As they sat down, Juliet gestured for the waiter. "Let’s order first. What do you like?"Louis shrugged, glancing at the menu. "I’m easy. You pick.
Juliet finally picked up her phone. "Hello?""About time!" Vivian snapped. "I've been calling all day!""I'm sorry, Vivian. You know, I was working on a project proposal—""Yeah. Whatever. I have big news," Vivian cut her off. "Louis and I have divorced.""Oh no! What happened?""Don’t feel sorry for me, dear. Congratulate me! I finally got rid of a freakish leech.”"He's the most awful being I’ve ever met, that's what happened! Do you know what he did?" Vivian's voice grew louder."He was having emotional affairs! ”“And you know what? He even dared to require a million dollars every month for expenses!" Vivian complained whiled expressing her discoveries and grievances, as if she was a victim, not a cheater."Really? I had no idea..."Juliet couldn’t believe her ears. How could a man be so shameless?She immediately felt sorry for her childhood bestie."Of course you didn't. Nobody knew how horrible he was," Vivian replied sternly. “You know what’s more? His disgusting deeds ev
Vivian was still at it, spreading more lies. Everything he had told Vivian was true.The cards were real, and the doll wasn’t stolen.As for demanding one million dollars every month for expenses, that was thoroughly slanderous and fabricated!Louis wanted to tell Juliet right away the truth, and that Vivian was the one who had cheated.She was the one destroying his reputation to hide her own sins.However, would Juliet believe him?"If I ever met a horrible man like that," Juliet declared, "I'd throw him straight in the garbage where he belongs!"Louis laughed silently at how crazy this all was. Here he sat, listening to someone wish him in the garbage, while thinking he was sitting in front of her."You're so quiet," Juliet noticed. "Doesn't it make you angry too?""Maybe..." Louis chose his words carefully, "maybe there's another side to this story?""Another side? No way! Vivian would never lie to me. We've been best friends forever!" Juliet shook her head. "Her ex-husband
The purr of the luxury car's engine faded as Louis pulled up to the villa.Before his hand even reached for the doorbell, the door swung open. Victoria stood there, her face bright with a welcoming smile, clearly expecting someone else. "Vivian, you're home! Is Ben joining us for din—"Her expression soured instantly upon seeing Louis. "Oh. It's you.""Hello, Mom," Louis said politely.The word tasted bitter, a habit he now despised but continued out of mere formality.Victoria's eyes narrowed.Victoria's face twisted with contempt. "Don't you dare call me that!”“You're like a stray mutt trying to sneak back into a warm house after being kicked out."She said with disgust."I'm only here to collect my belongings," Louis explained calmly.Louis let the insult wash over him, determined not to rise to the bait. Breathe, he reminded himself. He wasn’t here for a fight.Victoria barked out a laugh. "Your belongings? What belongings? You're like a tick that's been living off my daugh
Louis Kindsor stood silently in the living room of the luxurious villa he shared with his wife, Vivian Howard.His face was a mask of calm, but his eyes betrayed a storm of emotions. In his hand, he held a tablet displaying surveillance footage that would change everything.As Vivian entered the room, her smile faltered at the sight of Louis's serious expression."What's wrong, dear?" she asked, her voice tinged with false sweetness.Without a word, Louis turned the tablet towards her. The footage showed Vivian entering a hotel with another man, their body language leaving little doubt about their intentions.Vivian's eyes widened, then narrowed. Instead of shame or remorse, her face twisted with anger. "You had someone follow me?" she hissed.Louis shook his head slowly, in disappointment."That's all you have to say? No explanation, no apology?"Vivian laughed dismissively, as if she didn’t care the least that Louis had caught her in an affair. "Why should I apologize? This is p