Alex could feel their eyes on him, wide with shock and disbelief, as though they were seeing a ghost. Even Anastasia, who already knew the truth, seemed momentarily stunned, as though hearing it anew made the reality sink in on a different level. He saw her eyes flicker with both surprise and awe, her expression mirroring the astonishment that gripped the others.“What did you say?” Mr. Stewart’s voice finally broke the silence, and Alex could tell he hadn’t fully processed it. He decided to speak more clearly, perhaps louder, allowing the weight of his words to fill the room as he laid out the story behind his identity, each word drawing gasps from his stunned audience.With every revelation, Mr. Stewart and Juliet’s faces softened from initial shock to something much closer to remorse. It was dawning on them just how much they had underestimated Alex. A heaviness seemed to settle over both of them as they finally grasped who Alex truly was.“You’re really Sebastian Carter’s heir?” M
Everything that had just happened still felt like a dream. Even after Anastasia and Alex had left the celebration, they still couldn’t contain their joy.First, they imagined how they would start living their lives from now on. Nancy, who once controlled every move of the company, would now be scrambling to contact them. She would call repeatedly, begging them to save the company from its impending downfall.They shared a smirk. “Please, Juliet,” they both began, imitating Nancy’s frantic voice, “you know you’re my daughter. I raised you with my own hands; come through for your family now, or else you’re doomed!” They burst out laughing, the tension melting away in shared humor.Next, they imagined the oncoming flood of requests from other companies, desperate to partner with them now that they had sealed a deal with Sebastian Southlake. After years of struggling for recognition, they could finally envision a future filled with growth and success. Their minds raced with possibilities,
Anastasia stepped closer to him, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. She tilted him slightly toward the window, wanting to get more light on his back so she could see the injury clearly. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the jagged wound."It looks deep, almost like something clawed at you. And it’s fresh. Did Jackson hurt you yesterday, Alex?"Her voice held a quiet worry that tugged at Alex’s heart. But he wasn’t ready to tell her about the dream—not yet. The nightmares had shaken him, blurring the line between dream and reality. The horror of it had somehow spilled over into the real world, leaving him with this wound. He couldn’t tell Anastasia until he understood it himself.Instead, he glanced down at the ring on his finger, studying it in silence. After a few moments, he looked back at her, offering a reassuring smile to ease her concern.“I’ll go see a doctor this morning. But let’s have breakfast first,” he said softly, trying to calm her with his tone.Anastasia held his
"Anastasia, my dear, I think you should consider shifting your wedding date to before or after the 8th," Juliet suggested over the phone, her voice laced with urgency.But she stopped there, offering no further explanation.Anastasia’s brows knitted in confusion. Why was her mother suggesting a date change? She motioned for Alex to come closer, putting the call on speaker.“What did you say, Mother?” Anastasia asked, as if she hadn’t heard correctly the first time.Juliet took a deep breath. “Anastasia, you understand how important public image is to our family, don’t you? A billionaire from overseas is coming to Southlake to hold his wedding on the 8th—the same date as yours. If that happens, no one will be talking about your wedding. All the attention and the lavish display we’d planned will be overshadowed. It’ll be a missed opportunity for us, for the business.”Anastasia heard the worry in her mother’s voice, a tone she knew too well. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to feel the s
Everywhere Nancy turned, Warren Buffett’s name filled the air like an unavoidable whisper. Whether she was out on the road, sipping coffee in a lounge, or sitting in her own living room with the news murmuring in the background, Warren Buffett was the main topic. It was like he was haunting her, a shadow of success that loomed over her every waking moment.He was a wealthy man with deep roots in Southlake, having moved to the United States as a child. His father had once been a well-respected figure in town, and Warren’s legacy was carved in the hearts of the people. Rumor had it he’d offered scholarships to struggling Southlake students, supported families who’d nearly lost everything, and even helped rebuild local businesses. The townspeople adored him, saw him as a hero—while Nancy sat quietly, feeling the weight of her family’s diminishing fortunes.Nancy’s mouth tightened as she watched the news, Warren’s face beaming on the screen, his wedding soon to be broadcast as if it were
Warren Buffett was a well-known figure in Southlake, even though he didn’t live there. His reputation had preceded him. Everyone knew his face, and that certainly included Alex and Anastasia.When Warren walked toward them, he did so with an air of arrogance, his sunglasses perched coolly on his nose, and a smirk playing on his lips. His posture, the way he carried himself, said more than words ever could. Alex felt a shift in the air as soon as he laid eyes on him, and Anastasia, too, sensed it—this was no ordinary encounter. They didn’t jump to conclusions, but they needed to confirm their suspicions.“Hello, Mr. Warren.” Alex extended his hand, trying to be civil, though something in his gut told him this would not go smoothly.Warren scanned Alex from head to toe without saying a word, his gaze dismissive. He smirked again, brushing past him as if Alex was nothing more than an obstacle in his path. He reached the front desk without even a glance back.“I trust this hall is still r
At first glance, Alex didn’t look like someone who could afford such an extravagant booking. But knowing that no one in Southlake, not even Warren Buffett, had ever reserved this event hall for two years shocked the front officer to her core.She stood there, dazed, as if the world around her had suddenly shifted. It felt like a dream—a dream too good to be true. Two years? Could that really be happening right in front of her?“I’m sorry… pardon?” she asked, needing to confirm that she had indeed heard Alex correctly. Was this real, or was she just trapped in a fantasy that she needed to wake up from?This time, she focused intently, her gaze glued to Alex's lips, determined to read them as he spoke, ensuring she wasn’t just hearing things, but truly understanding what he meant.“I am booking for two years,” Alex repeated, his voice calm but firm.Her heart skipped a beat. This was beyond shocking. Was Alex serious? Did he really just say that? Two years? This couldn’t be real.She had
Warren’s mind was in turmoil. He began to sweat immediately. He couldn’t understand what had just happened. “Did they actually cancel my order and process my refund?” he asked himself again.He had always been at the top of his game, year after year, second after second. Never had there been a time when his transaction was refunded. In fact, whenever he made a transaction, the receiver always sent him a thank-you email.“How the heck did this happen?” He muttered again.His confusion was palpable on his face as he immediately turned the wheel 360 degrees and accelerated back in the direction of the event hall.In less than five minutes, he arrived at the event hall, his car tires screeching on the ground and smoke from his exhaust marking his arrival.As soon as he stepped out of the car and walked quickly to the reception, he saw Alex and Anastasia, who were just about to leave the building.Seeing them and noting that no one else was at the front desk except the receptionist, he won