"Use?" Elena asked with a bemused smile, her eyes fixed on Damian, who seemed engrossed in a discussion with the other men."Like hell he is using me. I’m just happy I got the love of my life back, Miss Ravenna," she turned to look at Ravenna with a feigned worried face."We were childhood sweethearts, and when he went missing all of a sudden, I thought I would never see him again."Elena saw the anger in Ravenna’s eyes as she continued."But thank God a certain person treated him like trash. Now, he’s back with me, where he originally belongs." Elena smiled slyly as Ravenna chuckled."You are so naive. You should know the kind of man Damian is. He is the kind of man who can only love one woman throughout his life. There’s no saying he has romantic feelings for you." Ravenna's lips curved into a smile."Don’t act cheesy with me." She completed as Elena forced herself not to show how angry she was at her statement.At that point, Damian walked back toward them as both women stared at h
As Ravenna descended the stairs that morning, her still groggy face revealed the effects of last night's sleep deprivation. She encountered her father and Enzo engaged in a serious discussion in the living room. Hastening her pace, she approached them."Daddy," she called out, her gaze fixed on the concerned expression of her older man."Hey Sweetheart. You're awake," Lucian managed a forced smile, while Ravenna's attention oscillated between him and Enzo."You don't look well. What's wrong?" she inquired.After a brief pause, Lucian began speaking. "It's Damian. He's made a move," he revealed, prompting Ravenna's wordless stare, which encouraged him to continue."What could it be?" she prodded.Lucian hesitated before speaking again. "He's pressed charges against us for the illegal acquisition of lands and properties. As of today, Kings Distributions Stocks have plummeted. And..." Lucian paused, gathering the courage to deliver the remaining news."And what, Dad?" Ravenna pressed, he
"I didn't think we would meet again like this after the other time, Enzo," Paulo said with a sly smile as he poured tea from an exotic porcelain jug into a small cup.Enzo chuckled. "We would do anything to survive in this hard world, Paulo. That's why it's hard to predict humans," Enzo returned as Paulo proceeded to pour some for him."Gracie," Enzo raised the cup in appreciation towards Paulo and took a sip from it."So... why did you contact me, Paulo? I'm sure it wasn't for us to share tea on a hot afternoon when the world is clearly in chaos," Enzo gave a knowing smile as Paulo understood what he was referring to: the clash between The Santoro and Kings."Mr. Santoro sent me," Paulo started. "He hasn't forgotten you, my friend.""Oh... you now have a new ally. Commendable, my friend," Enzo replied."Like I said..." Paulo started with a shrug. "We do what we can to survive. It's more like an instinct every human is forced to conform to.""He pressed charges against Kings Distribut
"Perfect," Damian smiled as he looked down from the stairs at the decoration in the grand hall of SN Hotels. It was SN Group’s 100th anniversary, and he was determined to celebrate. "Young master," Roberto called, catching Damian's attention. "A package has arrived for you." He handed Damian a small box.Damian's lips curved into a smile as he finally held the box he had been eagerly awaiting for the past three days. He turned and walked towards the suite where he was meant to get ready for the party. "Do you have special plans for today's event? It's your first event as the new owner, and your official debut to all the employees," Roberto chatted, trailing behind Damian."I don't owe anyone an extravagant night, Roberto. I just want to have fun and experience being the host of events like this. The trial is tomorrow; that's all I care about now.""But..."Damian turned to look at Roberto as they entered his suite, which was always prepared for his stays. "No 'buts.' Let's celebrate t
Lucian cursed under his breath as he turned slowly to meet Damian’s smiling face.“Come on, Mr. Kings. The party is yet to begin, and you’re leaving. Don't make me think you’re not satisfied with the party," Damian feigned a smile as Lucian walked up to him, standing with other men who stared at him as if he were some kind of stranger they were trying to recall. However, Lucian had expected this. That was the reason why he had been reluctant about attending, but it seemed Damian had derived satisfaction from his attendance.“Mr. Kings, you’re here." Pietro feigned a smile as he walked to his side, and Lucian forced a smile, attempting not to appear miserable.Damian tried to conceal his irritated look as he observed them. The old man didn’t care about him at all.“How are you coping with the issues at the company? I can’t imagine your plight, Lucian," Mr. Welsh asked with a genuinely worried expression. Among the other men, one could say that Welsh was different.“That… we will know i
"Good," Alberto continued. "Now, can you tell the court why you chose to take out a loan when you're already earning so much?""Well, they actually approached me. They've got their men all over the streets, forcing people to take out loans!" she retorted.The court audience began to murmur at her outburst."Order in the court!" the judge immediately interjected as the murmuring subsided."We seem to have an advantage now, I suppose," Roberto said with a grin."I wouldn't celebrate too quickly," Elena cautioned, her gaze fixed on Alberto, who remained calm."You mentioned being forced? Were you tortured or blackmailed into signing for the loan?" Alberto inquired."No, of course not! But they keep coming to my shop. So, I took it anyway.""You took it anyway? Alright," Alberto nodded slowly."Now, my next question. Did you read the contract before signing?""Uhmm…," Celeste hesitated, frowning, then glanced at Elena, who shook her head."No," she quickly turned back to Alberto."Now, do
"Here with me is the statement of the accused's colleague, alleging his involvement in the illegal acquisition of people's lands and properties," Elena stated as she approached, handing over the document.Alberto turned to Lucian, who shook his head in response."What on earth is that?" Enzo asked irritably."We'll only find out once it's played," Ravenna replied, her discomfort apparent."Do we really have to wait to hear it?" Enzo's tone grew frantic, earning him a glare from Ravenna."For heaven's sake, be quiet," she snapped, and Enzo fell silent, refocusing on the proceedings."I request that the recording be played so the court can witness the defendant's shrewdness," Elena stated before returning to her seat.Although the judge appeared uncomfortable, they approved the playback of the recording."Checkmate!" Damian chuckled with pride in his study as he watched the footage."So, are the accusations against Neo Finance true?" Paulo's voice, recognized by some, echoed through the
In a hushed courtroom, the judge's gaze swept across the room as she considered the evidence presented before her. After careful deliberation, her voice resonated with authority as she pronounced her verdict: "Having thoroughly reviewed the evidence, I find Lucian Kings guilty of the charges laid against him."Lucian shifted uncomfortably in his seat while his daughter placed a hand on his cold one. He managed a smile at her as they both turned back to look at the judge.“His sentence shall include compensating all those adversely affected by his high-interest loans and tendering an apology to them on live TV, alongside a fine of €300 million."“Shit,” Ravenna cursed under her breath, turning to her father.“It’s fine, daddy,” she said.“Of course it’s not,” he muttered in rage, walking out of the room as soon as the court was dismissed.Ravenna drew in a deep breath and glanced at Elena, who had a smug look on her face.She turned and ran after her father, with Enzo trailing behind h