Jason stood there, his heart pounding. He silently prayed that Amelia would come up with a good lie.“He's just a friend of mine,” Amelia said. “You don't know him.”“Are you sure? He looked familiar,” Amara insisted.“Did you come all the way here to interrogate me?” Amelia said it in a playful tone.Amara laughed. “No, I actually wanted to talk about an event…"Jason let out a breath of relief and hurriedly climbed up the stairs to the penthouse. He unlocked the door and sat in the living room, anxiously waiting for Timothy and Reuben to arrive.After a few minutes, there was a knock on the door. Jason unlocked the door, and the two men greeted him and then walked in.“Is there a problem, Young Master?” Timothy said that concern was present in his voice.“Yeah, sir, what's the issue? You didn't even say hello in the message." Reuben added, trying to lighten the mood.“There are two matters that we need to discuss, but first, can you two just call me by my name instead of Sir or Youn
Jason quickly hid in a corner of the lobby as Amara turned and entered back into the complex.“So Amara is having an affair,” he thought to himself. He would've felt bad for Andrew and even sympathised with him if his brother-in-law wasn't such a dick.Checking to make sure that Amara had left the vicinity, he walked out of the apartment but was stopped by Amara, who appeared right in front of him.“Hello Jason, long time no see.”Fuck, this isn't good, he said internally.“Amara, good to see you,” he said, feigning joy and giving her a tight-lipped smile.“What are you doing here?” She said, looking at him from top to bottom, “I didn’t expect to see you in this kind of apartment complex,” she remarked snidely. “Jason smirked “Yeah we’ll you’re not the only one who’s seen things that they didn’t expect today” he said, giving her a knowing look."Also, I own this building,” he added internally.Amara looked at him flustered. “What are you insinuating, Jason?” she blurted out.“Nothing
“I was so worried; I didn’t know what to think,” Diana said in a hushed but harsh tone.Jason and she were currently in the living room. She had been waiting for him since 11:00 PM, and it was currently 3:00 AM.Jason tried to come closer to Diana, but she moved back, a scowl present on her face. “I’m sorry, Diana; I was at a friend’s house; he was going through a breakup and needed my support.” Jason internally cringed at the lie he came up with. He didn’t like lying to Diana, but he would have to get used to it.“A friend, what friend?” She hissed.Jason shuffled uncontrollably under the pressure but kept his voice firm so Diana wouldn’t suspect anything. “You don’t know him; he’s a childhood friend I reconnected with.”“You two must’ve gotten close when you ran away because I didn’t know you reconnected with any childhood friends,” Diana spat. But at the mention of him running away, her voice cracked.Jason realized that Diana feared that he had rammed away again, so he hugged her
Now on 5th Avenue, Jason was set on getting the perfect jewel for Diana. He had called Timothy earlier to bring the Escalade for him, as lugging around a million dollars would be impractical. Also, he no longer felt safe walking.He walked down 5th Avenue, surrounded by high-end shops showcasing fancy window displays and pristine interiors. Overwhelmed by all the different options, he entered the first store on his left.Once he walked in, he saw a man selling an emerald necklace to a lady in a designer outfit.“Your total is fifty-two thousand dollars." The man saidThe woman rummaged through her purse to retrieve her card. She got it out, then handed it to the man.He swiped the card, but the machine beeped loudly and showed DECLINED.“There must be a mistake,” the woman said. “Swipe it again.”The man did so, but it was still declined. The man glared at the woman in annoyance. “Please leave this store before I have security escort you out. You come in here with your tacky fake desig
That night, Jason waited till Diana was asleep. He had hidden the clothes and the necklace in the bushes in the backyard of the mansion.He tiptoed to the backyard and retrieved the items, being very careful and making as little noise as possible. His heart raced with adrenaline and excitement as he stared at the items.Getting back to the room, he stuffed them in a corner of his wardrobe. He almost felt bad about treating such precious items like this, but it had to be a surprise.It wasn’t just the fact that the prices of all the items combined exceeded six figures that made them special. To Jason, it marked the beginning of his stepping up and being a good husband.Even though their marriage was far from perfect and Diana had betrayed him by sleeping with Christopher, Jason’s heart still beat for her. Although he couldn’t deny that every time the thought of him and Christopher together crossed his mind, he physically winced in pain.It was a scar that he desperately hoped would he
The drive to Sinclair Enterprises was awkward and silent. Jason kept on bouncing his feet and tapping on the window, his thoughts in a frenzy. His anxiety about the paternity of Lana had reached its peak.He looked over at Diana, who hadn't said a word to him since they began the journey. Her jaw was clenched, and her gaze was fixed on the road.“I'm sorry, Jason,” Diana muttered under her breath.“About Christopher? Don't be. I've been wanting to punch him like that for years, and I finally got the opportunity.” Jason Blurted out, his words coming out in a sober tone despite his attempt to lighten the mood with them.“No, not just about today; I'm sorry that I ever even got with him in the first place.” Diana paused, parked the car, and turned to Jason, looking him in the eyes, her gaze intense. “I'm sorry for not trying harder,” her voice cracked.Diana’s words tugged at Jason’s heart. It was the first time she was apologising for what she had done to him. His eyes dropped to avoid
"Jason, you've been looking in there for a while now; there's nothing there that I haven't already written off,” Diana said as Jason rummaged through her wardrobe.It was the night of the reunion, and after hopelessly scanning through her wardrobe for something to wear, Jason offered to help Diana, saying he could find something because he had a ‘fresh set of eyes'.“The event is starting in an hour... Maybe I should tell Renee I got sick and won’t be able to make it." Diana muttered to herself.Jason left her things and went over to his wardrobe to get the dress that he had bought for her.Diana furrowed her brows in confusion. “You want me to wear one of your..." Her words were caught in her throat, and her eyes widened when Jason pulled out a stunning red dress.It was a sleek, little red dress, crafted from luxurious fabric, a Henrik’s original piece. Its modest length was complemented by delicate lace and an elegant neckline.“Will this do?” Jason said it with a triumphant smile,
Jason and Diana eventually got separated as the night went on. As one of the most popular girls in their class, Diana was being greeted and talked to by anyone and everyone, and with Renee by her side, the attention was magnified.On the other hand, most people didn't remember Jason. He had only been with them for a year, so it didn't really bother him. Plus, he didn't like most of the people here.Nearly all of them had ridiculed him during his time in university for not being as well off as the rest of them.He also wasn't in the mood to socialize; if his issues with Diana weren't enough to occupy his thoughts, now there was a situation with Bruno and Amara.It was easy for him to not mind keeping Andrew in the dark; he was a dick and probably wouldn't take Jason’s word anyway. But Renee was a kind woman who he didn't want to see hurt.Sadly, just like in the Andrew case, there was the problem of his word against the word of her spouse.He heaved a sigh and ran his hands through his
Jason sat still, shock carving lines into his face. He couldn’t believe what Serena had just said. A child? His child? He turned to Serena, still trying to process, his lips parting to speak.But Serena held up her hand, her voice firm, “If what you’re about to ask has anything to do with whether or not I’ve had other partners or if this baby is yours, then let me stop you right there. I wouldn’t come here so confidently and confront you with a test if I wasn’t a hundred percent sure.” Her gaze hardened. “I haven’t been with anyone else since the two of us have been together. And I wasn’t with anyone a long while before that.”Jason ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. “Serena, I hope you can understand that this is… It’s hard to grasp. I don’t even know what to say.”Serena’s expression wavered, her voice rising with frustration. “And how do you think I feel, Jason? I’m the one carrying a child I never expected, especially at this point in my life or my career. Do you think t
Diana had changed so much since Jason saw her in front of the prison a month ago.That was the first thing Jason noticed. Unlike the dishevelled woman who had stood outside the prison a month ago, Diana now carried a semblance of her former glow. Her skin had regained some of its radiance, her hair neatly kept. She looked better. Or so he’d thought till he looked into her eyes. If they were supposed to be the windows to the soul, then Diana’s spirit still bore the scars of everything her father and brother had done. All of their crimes. And the awful last words her father spoke to her.Jason had run into Diana a few times over the last month, mostly at the police station. Both had been there to give statements regarding Andrew, Stefan, or Kent. They would exchange polite words that often danced around the enormity of their shared history. Their conversations were about nothing, yet those fleeting moments meant more to Jason than he cared to admit. He wondered if they meant as much to
One month later.A month and some change had passed since Jason’s enemies were arrested.Roland pleaded guilty. With the help of Jason Lawyers, he managed to secure a relatively lenient sentence of 10 years, given his cooperation in exposing his associates crimes.Andrew also pleaded guilty, but his sentence was far harsher due to the severity of his actions. He received 20 years, with no possibility of parole for the first 15.As for Stefan and Kent, neither had pleaded guilty. Both were currently in jail awaiting trial, their faces a permanent fixture in the news. Stefan’s crimes were so extensive and damning that it was widely believed he might never spend another day outside of prison walls.Kent’s situation, while not as severe as Stefan’s, was no less grim. By the time he eventually walked free, he’d be nearing Roland’s current age if not older.As one could imagine, public trust in the Syndicate had plummeted, and Jason had spent nearly every waking moment trying to sweep up th
The museum was dimly lit, the natural light from the large windows muted by heavy curtains. Jason stood at the centre of the room, his posture calm, almost casual, as he faced Stefan Sinclair. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension, the kind that seemed to make even time stand still.As both men stared at each other, they realised that this was the first time they were alone together since that unfateful morning that Jason had walked into the police station and into Stefan’s trap.And both men wanted to make sure this would be their last meeting.Jason broke the silence, his voice laced with mock amusement. “Well, dear ex-father-in-law, do you want to start the heart-to-heart now? Or do you prefer we warm up with some small talk first?”Stefan’s face twisted with barely contained fury. He had come into the museum intending to play the role of the civil patriarch before finishing Jason off, but Jason’s smug demeanour was unbearable. The words burst out of him before he co
Five minutes. It had only been five minutes since Jason Grey walked into the dining hall like a celebrity meeting his doting fans—and haters, Just five minutes, yet so much had already happened.Mildred, Richard, and even Damien made up the population of Jason’s fan club. They were utterly charmed by him; his every move, expression, his tailored Armani suit, his impeccable poise, and his air of quiet confidence had disarmed them completely. However, Jason hadn’t charmed them in the five minutes he’d been there. They became charmed much earlier when he told them his true identity. Frankly, he could have insulted their decor and spit in their fine china, and they would still be captivated by the grandson of Michael Allen Grey.Diana, meanwhile, had been exchanging furtive glances with Jason throughout those five minutes. Each look seemed to carry a silent plea, as if begging him to tread carefully. But Jason? Jason was calm, measured, and in complete control.And then there was Stefa
Clad in a tailored Armani suit, Jason looked every inch the part of a powerful heir. His black hair was styled to perfection, and his calm, unblinking demeanour seemed to cast a spell on everyone.Mildred gasped audibly, her eyes practically sparkling. “Oh my…” she murmured, as if Jason had stepped out of a magazine. Beside her, Richard was speechless, caught between admiration and disbelief.Damien, though already aware of Jason’s identity, was still taken aback. The man standing before them didn’t look ridiculed or cast aside. And he definitely didn’t look a bit like the ‘Thrifty Jay’ that they called him. No, he looked untouchable. Damien muttered under his breath, “I still can’t believe it…”Diana’s eyes were glued to Jason, hope swimming in them, as if silently praying the day would end in Jason’s favour.As for Stefan…A memory flashed unbidden into his mind, vivid and cutting.It was a sunny afternoon years ago, the day Diana had insisted he meet her boyfriend. They had arranged
The vineyard stretched endlessly in neat, sunlit rows, lush green vines crawling over carefully constructed trellises. The air was thick with the sweet smell of ripening grapes and damp soil, but inside the rustic estate house, Stefan Sinclair paced restlessly by the window, his phone clenched in his hand. He glanced at the screen for the hundredth time—no messages, no missed calls.Damien’s father, Richard, entered the room with a jovial smile, followed closely by his wife, Mildred.“Stefan,” Richard said warmly, his voice echoing slightly in the high-ceilinged room. “The vineyard is particularly beautiful this time of year, don’t you think?”Stefan turned, forcing a thin smile. “It is, Richard. Truly.” His tone flattened. “But I have to say, the service here is… shitty.”Richard’s booming laugh filled the room as Mildred chuckled softly beside him.“Ah, yes,” Richard said with a grin. “We didn’t take that into consideration when we bought the place. You can barely send a text, let a
Kent’s car cruised down the empty highway, music blaring from the radio. Kent gripped the steering wheel with one hand, tapping it to the beat while belting out the chorus of an old rock song with a self-satisfied grin plastered across his face. Andrew sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, staring out the window, clearly unimpressed.“Jesus Christ, you’re tone-deaf,” Andrew muttered, cutting through Kent’s off-key singing.Kent smirked but didn’t miss a beat. “You just don’t appreciate talent.”Andrew shifted in his seat, finally turning to face him. “You do realise we still have to figure out what happened with the accounts, right?”Kent’s smirk faltered for a split second before returning. “Relax. I’m on it. I told the bank to run a thorough investigation. We’ll know soon enough.”Andrew didn’t look convinced. “And maybe we need to run an investigation of our own.”Kent arched a brow, eyes flicking toward him. “What the hell do you mean by that?”Andrew’s voice remained calm, but
Jason sat on the couch, watching Amelia pace the apartment with nervous energy. Her hands kept brushing through her hair as if trying to shake off the morning’s events. She turned suddenly, her voice slightly breathless.“You have no idea how scared I was, Jason,” Amelia said. “When that secretary came into Kent’s office to tell him about the accounts and the way he looked at me…I thought for sure he knew.” She let out a shaky laugh. “I swear, I thought he was going to call me out right then and there.”Jason leaned back, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “But he didn’t.”Amelia stopped pacing and sighed. “No. He just turned around and gave me his usual ‘I’m superior to you’ attitude and sent me out of the office. Rudely, of course. I should’ve been pissed, but I was so relieved.” She paused, crossing her arms with a grin. “It’s kind of the best way things could’ve played out.”Jason nodded, his eyes full of quiet admiration. “You did well, Amelia. More than well. You’