Khalid's lips formed a thin line as he stared back at Shaquille who was looking at him like he could see straight into his heart and the thoughts that dwelled in it. Eventually, the old man answered,"He had to do something. He will be home soon. Don't worry about him." Khalid nodded and glanced at his wristwatch. "I have a meeting with the investors so I have to leave now. Take care father and don't work too hard. You can always leave the tedious ones for me." Shaquille's taut expression finally softened when he heard this. He thought, perhaps he had misunderstood Khalid. But before he could say a word, the latter already walked out of the office. His eyes however strayed on the door as he wondered if he was really overthinking the bad relationship between his sons. "Boss, did you get any info?" Faruq asked as soon as Khalid got to the company's private garage. Khalid had a foul expression as he got into his car. "He didn't want to say anything. Simply told me Zayn h
Yasmin fell into a deep thought. That cruel look appeared on her face again to indicate that she must be thinking of something certainly not good. She looked up at her daughter and smiled. The kind of smile that would send shivers, fearful shivers down someone's spine. "Call him. Inform him that you are pregnant." "Inform who?" Dahlia was confused. "Call Zayn and tell him that you are pregnant." "Mom..." Dahlia stood up. "I already told you we didn't consummate our marriage. Why should I call him and inform him that I'm pregnant? I thought we promised to hide this away from him." "For how long are we going to hide it? Whether he is the father or not, he will have to accept the child," Yasmin retorted with a resolute look. Dahlia was stunned and even more confused. Why is her mother talking as if Zayn would definitely accept the bastard in her? "Why would he do that?" "That bastard cares about your grandfather right?" Dahlia nodded and Yasmin stood up, walking t
'Just make your men get the information on who poisoned the old man those years, the location of his first son's family and the family's business dirty secrets. I just have this feeling that my father-in-law isn't as innocent as he seems.' Zayed didn't know how to react to Zayn's words. But he felt irritated that his cousin had been cuckolded to get entangled in a marriage alliance with such a despicable family. But his anger wasn't justified as after all, if it wasn't for Omar those years, his cousin might have lost his life. 'Okay' Zayn went to the next message. It had a saved contact card, Salim. Remember that young juvenile that was with him in the car that day he had gone to attend ADX shareholders meeting. 'Boss, how is your health? I wasn't allowed access to the hospital based on your father's orders. They didn't even let me get close to Mr Shaquille to speak with him.' ' I'm fine.' Salim's response came in less than a minute, 'Those shareholders have been hand
"Say, if I release this piece of news anonymously to the press, how much of a scandal would it cause for that bastard?" Farah's excited voice snapped Khalid back to reality. "They have always wanted something about that secluded legitimate son. Now, they'll have a lot to feast on. I'd even be able to make extra cash—" "Mom," he interjected. "You will do no such thing." "Why?" Farah almost whined in disappointment. Why has her son been acting so cowardly towards that young bastard? Khalid rubbed his eyes. "You are thinking about the scandal it will cause for Zayn. What about our family? The family's reputation will be dragged down too." "So..." Farah retorted. "Have they ever treated us like family? Why would I still be living in this house as an unmarried mistress if your father treats us as family? Why are you still being regarded as the illegitimate son and not the eldest young master of the Sultan's family?" Khalid gritted his teeth. His mother knows quite well what h
"Do you think this is the only prestigious school in the Emirates? Other schools will gladly accept my son and appreciate our financial gestures more than you!" A woman's voice followed, sounding both arrogant and threatening. "We don't need to aggravate this matter. As long as you apologize to the victim and he agrees to forgive your son's misdeed then the school might consider letting your son off," The dean sounded conflicted. He didn't want to offend the parents but he couldn't afford to offend the Sultan's family. It's like being stuck on a crashing bridge. There is a load of danger ahead and you can't move backwards because the bridge is falling off. "Apologize, my foot! He should even be grateful to receive compensation from us because my son will never hurt someone without a valid reason!" The woman spoke again. At this point, Zayn and professor Khan walked into the office. Zayn had his signature smirk on the face as he asked amusedly, "So it is only justifie
"Can't you even pretend to be happy to see me for once?" Aliyah pouted with a fake sad look. Zayn already saw through her expression and asked again,"What are you doing here? Aren't you studying humanities? Why are you in the computer department?" Aliyah rolled her eyes and pulled his arm. "Fine," She turned to the direction of the system that was undergoing repairs and pointed at the team of engineers there. "My friend is there so I came over too." "Your friend?" Zayn was puzzled. A male or female? That was when he noticed the lady assisting the engineers. Her fair and flawless palm shot out as she handed over a toolbox to one of the student engineers that gave her a smile in return. Zayn's brows furrowed. He couldn't see the lady clearly because of the long abaya she was wearing which was paired with a niqāb that only exposed her eyes. Why was she being so conservative? Who even wears such unexposed clothes for work? "She's in the computer engineering depart
"Here, it's alright. Calm down. You know your health issues... You shouldn't let such trivial matters anger you." Shaquille picked up the remote and switched off the television completely. He then walked over to his wife. His words were meant to pacify her but it did the opposite. "What do you mean trivial matters? How dare you regard our son's marriage as a trivial matter?" Her loud voice made him speechless. Why are women so easily triggered? "Inform the family's lawyer immediately to draft up a divorce agreement and send it to that despicable family immediately. They won't dare to disobey our Sultan's family if they still have little dignity left in them." "Alright... Alright. I'll call him right away," Shaquille led her to sit on the bed and put a call across the lawyer. He seemed to have forgotten that a certain someone asked him not to interfere.**** "Would it be convenient to visit you later, Prof?" Zayn asked professor Tang as they stood by with other professors
Zayn got into his Audi and was just a few meters away from the school when he felt someone was following him. On instinct, he glanced at the rear view mirror and realized a suspicious black car was indeed following him. He suddenly thought of the feeling he has been getting lately that someone is tailing him and then smirked before glancing at the car's GPS. As soon as he found what he was looking for, he diverted from the lane to another way. The car followed him. The occupants of the black car were puzzled when Zayn suddenly stopped in front of a store. As they watched him go in, one of them sent a message to their boss. "Boss, it's so weird. He actually stopped in front of a shabby store. Should we keep watching him or just turn around? It is really getting annoying keeping a watch on this useless heir." A response came in faster than expected. "You remember the last time he went missing for two days and you guys couldn't give a clue about his whereabouts— Did you forg
The board members exchanged puzzled glances, struggling to comprehend Zayn's sudden divergence from their expectations. The air thickened with anticipation as they yearned for a deeper understanding of his motives.In a surprising turn of events, Zayn shifted the spotlight to his elder brother, Khalid, whose eyes glistened with a mixture of gratitude and remorse. Zayn's voice softened as he introduced Khalid as the most suitable candidate for the CEO position.Zayn's voice carried a firm resolve as he continued, offering his unexpected proposal. "I believe Khalid is the right candidate for the CEO position. His exceptional skills and experience make him the ideal leader to guide the Sultan's Empire towards a prosperous future.""I have faith in his abilities and his dedication to the success of Sultan's Empire," Zayn added, his words filled with genuine support and forgiveness. "He has proven himself capable, and I believe he will lead this company to new heights."The room fell into
However, as he approached Khalid, he sensed a distinct cold shoulder, a barrier that prevented any immediate confrontation. In his thoughts, Zayn contemplated the complexities of their relationship, knowing that their issues could not be resolved in a single conversation.Zayn's thoughts raced, filled with a mixture of frustration and longing. "Why is Khalid shutting me out? Can't we find a way to bridge this divide between us? We're brothers, after all." He couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment, realizing that their strained relationship would require time and effort to heal.Meanwhile, Khalid's mind was clouded with conflicting emotions. "How can I face Zayn after all this time? Our past grievances have left deep scars, and it's easier to keep my distance. But deep down, I still care. I just don't know how to reconcile the conflicting emotions within me."As the two brothers left the scene together, a palpable tension hung in the air. Their unspoken thoughts echoed, a si
Amidst the chaos, the blaring sirens of approaching police vehicles pierced through the commotion, cutting through the tension-filled air. A collective sigh of relief swept through the room as the guests realized that help had finally arrived. Conversations erupted in murmurs of gratitude and appreciation, blending with the chaotic energy of the moment.One voice, filled with relief, exclaimed, "Thank goodness the police are here! I never thought I'd be so grateful to see those flashing lights."Another guest, speaking softly to his companion: "We can breathe a little easier now. The authorities will take control of the situation and ensure our safety."Officer Harris, the commanding officer leading the police force, barked out orders, his voice carrying an air of authority. "Secure the premises! Apprehend the criminals and ensure the safety of all guests!"Whispered conversations filled the room as guests leaned in closer to their companions, sharing their thoughts and emotions."I
Inside the auction hall, the murmurs among the guests swelled with concern and curiosity. "What's happening?" one whispered, his voice filled with worry. "This is getting out of hand.""Do you think they'll be alright?" another asked, her tone laced with genuine worry. "And do you think we are safe because I'm a little bit scared?" The once glamorous event had transformed into a scene of suspense and unease."I just feel we should calm down and hope nothing happens after now. Agitating will only cause us more harm than good." A companion responded, her voice filled with calmness and fearlessness.Meanwhile, the virtual space continued to crackle with anticipation as viewers hastily typed their thoughts and emotions into the livestream comment section. "Oh my goodness, what is happening?" one viewer exclaimed, his words appearing in a flurry of text. "I can't believe this twist! Will Zayn and Khalid be able to escape?" another comment questioned, punctuated by a string of anxious emo
The livestream page buzzed with a flurry of comments, the virtual audience captivated by the unfolding events. As the revelation that Zayn was Lord Z spread like wildfire, the comment section exploded with reactions, both shocked and intrigued. One of the users exclaimed, "No way! Zayn is Lord Z? My mind is blown!" Another user expressed disbelief, "I never saw that coming! This is crazy!" While another user poured out her thought into the comment section, "Wait, so all those rumors were true? Zayn is the infamous Lord Z?" Amidst the virtual chaos, Twitter experienced an overwhelming surge in activity, unable to handle the sudden influx of tweets and crashing under the weight of the online frenzy. Hashtags related to Zayn and Lord Z flooded the trending section, dominating the digital landscape. One other user remarked, "My timeline is exploding! Zayn just broke the internet!" Another user chuckled, "Twitter can't handle the truth! Zayn as Lord Z is the plot twist of the cent
Cameras clicked discreetly as reporters positioned themselves to capture the grand entrance of Lord Z. They exchanged excited glances, knowing that this unexpected appearance would make for a compelling story.Zayn's mind raced with questions, his brows furrowing as he contemplated what the man was saying. "Why would he want Lord Z to make an appearance at this auction? What could be the purpose behind it?" he pondered silently.The room fell into a hush, all eyes fixated on the stage. The anticipation grew palpable, the air heavy with expectation. Reporters adjusted their lenses, eager to capture the moment when Lord Z would step into the spotlight.However, much to the guests' surprise and disappointment, no one rose from their seats. Confusion washed over the attendees, their faces portraying a mixture of bewilderment and frustration."What's going on? Is this some kind of a ruse?" murmured a guest, his voice laced with suspicion.The man on stage, undeterred by the crowd's react
Khalid couldn't hide his satisfaction as he observed Zayn's discomfort under Shaquille's piercing gaze. "Let's see how he squirms this time," Khalid thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. But his expression quickly shifted when Zayn confidently answered the question, leaving Khalid both surprised and slightly unnerved.As the meeting drew to a close, participants started to disperse, their minds abuzz with thoughts of the upcoming auction. Khalid couldn't help but approach Zayn, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Impressive, Zayn. I must admit, I didn't expect you to have the answer," he remarked, his tone laced with a mix of surprise and admiration.Zayn smiled modestly, his gaze focused on Khalid. "Well, I believe in being prepared," he replied, his voice calm and composed.Days passed, and the much-anticipated day of the auction finally arrived. Zayn's uneasiness remained persistent, gnawing at the back of his mind. Salim, who had been diligently investigating th
As Alina poured herself into the intricate web of organizing the auction, an underlying sense of anticipation lingered. The attendance of Lord Z at the auction held the promise of unraveled mysteries and long-awaited revelations.She declared, "The time has come to bring light to the shadows, to unlock the secrets that lie within. This auction will mark the turning point in my quest for knowledge and discovery. And I won't rest until every mystery is laid bare."*****Meanwhile, a sense of urgency gripped Zayn as he realized he had to make his way to the Sultan's empire. He urgently conveyed, "Zayed, now that I have been able to get in touch with Mr. Faez and Dahlia, I'm a bit satisfied. The fact that they're aware of what happened to Omar settles things a lit, it will make Omar happy seeing them."With that settled, Zayn's attention turned to a new challenge that awaited him. His father, Shaquille, had unexpectedly summoned a meeting with the company's representatives to discuss t
With an outstretched hand clutching a ringing phone, she tried to catch her breath, her voice filled with a mix of anticipation and concern."Ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt, but the call is very urgent, and they have requested to speak to you immediately," she informed, her tone reflecting the urgency of the situation."An urgent call? This can't be ignored. I wonder who it could be and what it's about. I hope it doesn't hinder our progress with the investors. I need to handle this promptly and find out what's going on." Alina's thoughts rushed like a windAlina furrowed her brows as she absorbed the gravity of the message. "Who is it?" she inquired, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern."Why would someone call me with such urgency? It must be something significant. I can't help but wonder who it is and what they want. I need to find out more information to understand the situation." Her thoughts kept racing"It's Mr. Raheem from Abu Dhabi," the assistant revealed, h