“Where the heck have you been, Meg? It’s been what… almost a month now. I’ve called and texted and even reported the case to the police. Where have you been?” Alex asked genuinely. Megan simply smiled. “It doesn’t matter anymore now, does it? I’m back and as you can see, I am as perfect as always. Why don’t you introduce your beautiful mom to me?” Megan smiled at him. But Alex knew something was up. First off, she looked really lean and malnourished. It was not so evident, but as a person who had dated her for a while, he knew that she wasn’t the same. The sparkle in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a cold, calculating look that Alex couldn’t ignore. She was still beautiful, no doubt—her skin flawless, her hair perfectly styled—but there was something off about her presence, something that made the air in the room feel heavy. Alex’s mind raced, but he forced himself to stay composed. What happened to her? he thought. Where did she go? He glanced at his mother, who was still eye
Loulou, watching closely, didn’t miss the subtle exchange between the two. Her eyes narrowed, but her smile never faltered. She had a way of reading people, of seeing through their facades. This woman, Megan—or whoever she really was—wasn’t just a chance visitor. There was more to her story, and Loulou wasn’t the type to let things slide. If this was some game, she would play it to win. But Megan’s reason actually sounded genuine, judging from the paleness of her eyes which was an unusual trait. “Oh, what a relief!” Loulou exclaimed, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she made her way to the sofa. “A model and a real estate agent, hmm? Alex, you certainly know how to pick your women.” Alex shot his mother a pointed look. "Mom, can we not—" Megan interrupted smoothly, “It’s fine. You know, it’s not easy being in the public eye. People expect perfection, and sometimes that means we have to disappear for a while, to heal... to come back stronger.” She glanced at Alex with a knowing l
Cozbi's keen, inquisitive voice cut like a razor across the room. She squinted as she examined Megan with a fresh focus. Loulou tensed, a glimmer of astonishment showing through her composed demeanor. The shock that went through him was too strong even for Alex to conceal. Megan turned back slowly, her posture rigid but her smile gentle, giving the impression that she was unconcerned. "Yes, I have collaborated with Mr. Frost on several projects. In the real estate industry, I am one of his reliable associates. Megan's mind was obviously racing as Cozbi's scrutinizing gaze lingered on her. Finally, with a slow, menacing smile on her lips, she replied, "Interesting." Few people may say they belong to Mr. Frost's inner group. He's a bit of a mystery, don't you think? “Very,” Megan replied smoothly. “But he values loyalty and competence, which is why I’ve had the privilege of working closely with him. Is there something specific you’d like to know about him, Mrs. Reed?” Cozbi’s smile
Megan could see the ambition burning in Cozbi’s eyes, the desire to claw her way to the top no matter the cost. It was almost laughable. Almost. She couldn’t allow Cozbi to fall into her own trap. No, Megan needed Cozbi to believe she was on her side, to think that her ambition was just a small thing in the grand game. "Well," Megan said, her voice cool but laced with the weight of experience, "I don’t doubt that you have the drive. But you have to be very careful who you’re targeting. There’s more at play here than you realize. Mr. Frost doesn’t just hold power—he holds all the cards. And someone like you, Cozbi... well, you wouldn’t want to be caught in the crossfire, would you?" Cozbi’s smile tightened, but Megan could see the wariness creeping into her eyes. She had her attention. Megan wasn’t backing down, but she was playing the part—planting the seed of doubt. After all, she wasn’t about to let Cozbi ruin everything she’d worked for. Cozbi straightened, eyes glinting with
Nathan shut the door and walked to the helicopter, Beatrice and Emma walking behind him. It was an emotional scene as they watched Nathan go. Yet again. Emma was broken and sad. The fact that she could do nothing to help Nathan who had done so much for her was saddening. She wished she could do something to help. He had gone through hell, lost families, lost friends, lost his sister, lost battles and now, he was losing himself. Nathan wore a black suit, a black tie and a black shirt. Everyting he wore from head to toe was pure black, well, except for his necklace. It was a bright-red necklace that Kamsi crafted for him many years ago as a gift for his birthday. He had the necklace on for many years but had always had it hidden inside his clothes. Seeing the beads tingled his eyes and wrecked his soul. But maybe that was the problem, running away from everything when he should be standing and fighting back. And this time, the necklace would be a reminder of that fact. “But Natha
“It is a wonderful day, friends and family. We have every cause to rejoice and celebrate.” Mr. Donald raised his glass up, letting the light from the chandelier bounce on the golden cup. The whole family and friends were there. The Davenport family, Donald and his son Charles who was as mute as the silence in his head, Mr. Hearst and his family, including his daughter whom he wedded out to the Hearst family. It was a huge table and food was spread across the extremely large table. It was a grand celebration. The downfall of Nathan was not an easy task. It took years for this feat to be accomplished. For Mr. Donald, it was a really huge triumph, one he had been planning for years. Ever since Nathan was ruling the Reed Empire many many years ago, Donald had always seen Nathan as an insurmountable obstacle. From a young age, even in college days, Nathan was a pain in his ass. A really horrible pain. Nathan wasn’t just a ruler of an empire; he was a force, someone who turned chal
Charles’s head snapped in his father’s direction, his eyes wild. "Enough? Oh, now you decide what’s enough, Father? After all the lives you’ve destroyed? After you turned us into pawns for your schemes? You don’t get to tell me when to stop!" Lucas’s fear turned into humiliation, and he tried to regain some control. "Let him talk, Mr. Donald. Your son has been hiding behind his silence for too long. Let’s see what this failure has to say!" The jab landed like a slap in the face, but Charles didn’t flinch. He released Lucas, shoving him backward so forcefully that the man stumbled into his chair, spilling his wine across the table. Then, he spat on the man’s face. Charles straightened, his voice steady but filled with venom. "You think I’m a failure, Lucas? Look around. Every single person seated here today, apart from my sister is not just a failure but a disaster and a loser in life. Your souls were carved from the devil’s balls and even the devil is scared of your lives.” As h
“Hey, what’s wrong? Talk to me! Who hurt you?” Nathan asked his little sister, Kamsi, as he picked her up from school. Other kids were happily hopping onto the school bus, but Nathan still struggled to pay her school fees and could not afford to pay for bus fare. So, Kamsi walked home everyday. “There’s this girl in my class. She.. she laughed at my shoes and dress because they are worn out. Everyone in the class joined her and they called me an orphan.. even my teacher laughed at me!” Kamsi said between sobs. Immediately, Nathan charged up and the only thought that entered his head was to hit the teacher and all the other students on their faces to teach them a lesson! But he simply tightened his grip on Kamsi’s hands. He couldn’t afford to get into a fight with anyone. Once he gets locked in prison, there is no way he would be getting out. He was alone in this big world and the only money that danced in his account was $2,050 for himself and Kamsi. “I’ll get you new