“In today’s news, Cho Industries’ Vice President held a press conference today to clear out rumors regarding both his relationship with his grandfather and his fiance. This is what he had to say.” The news anchor said as Stephen watched on the way to his meeting. “I know that most of you want to hear about the hostile takeover of Cho Industries that I have initiated.” There was a gasp in the crowd as Stephen uttered those words. In his car however, Stephen chuckled knowing what was to follow. “I hate to disappoint you all, but there is no truth in that.” Stephen announced as the reporters took photos of him. He had called for the press conference earlier that day in front of Cho Industries. “My relationship with my grandfather is a good one. He truly is simply on vacation and nothing more. I’m here to make sure the company doesn’t fall until his return in a few months. I have more to learn under his guidance, I’m young and in no rush.” Stephen announced to the sound of cameras c
When Stephen came to, he was in a private dining room, probably still in the same hotel.He knew that it would have been impossible to move him out of the hotel without the Essen Mafia or the security team of the Cho family finding out.“Ah, Mr. Cho, you’re up.” A familiar man’s voice greeted as Stephen’s eyes adjusted to the dim lighting.“Master Ong.” Stephen groaned as he recognized one of the men in the room. He was Gabrielle’s grandfather, the man who had tricked his own into inviting him to the party.“Stephen Cho, it’s been a while. I’m sure you’ve met this young man with me, Kevin Yap.” The old man s
“I will consider it, but I am not after destabilization.” Those were Stephen’s last words before he was knocked out again.He couldn’t help but grumble and swear revenge on them right before passing out.He didn’t understand why they did this, if they wanted him on their side they should have been treating him better, not knocking him out.When Stephen came to, he was in one of the restaurant’s private dining rooms.“I guess we weren’t in the restaurant.” Stephen grumbled as he found his work phone in front of him.It was a good thing he had left his personal one with Andr
“It was bugged.” Andrew said as he placed Stephen’s work phone on his desk. “The IT department worked double time on investigating and trying to mask the cloning. Now you can use this phone to deceive them.”Andrew held out a different older phone.“I didn’t want you mixing up your real phone and the bugged one.”“What does it transmit to them?” Stephen asked as he picked up the bugged phone.“Messages, location, calls, we thought it would take the photos and videos too, but I guess they weren’t capable of setting it up in time.” Andrew explained as Stephen picked it up and sent a message to his assistant.
“Ladies.” Amalia greeted with a smile as she sat on a throne-like chair in one of her restaurants.Over the years she had saved her allowance and built her own tiny empire that was the envy of many men and women in her social circle.“Miss Cho, wow, so many guests today.” A woman who could easily be an international model gasped as she looked around their group.Amalia Cho rarely invited people out to shop, so when she sent out the invitation, everyone accepted.“Of course, today I annoy my brother.” She said with a grin, implying that she and Stephen were not on the best terms.“Oh,
“Amalia moves fast.” Robert chuckled as he entered Stephen’s office at the end of the day. “It seems your family is the content of all my news reports for today.”Robert handed Stephen a document that was normally submitted to him for the daily news broadcast.“Hmmm?” Stephen hummed as he looked up from his desk to acknowledge his friend’s arrival.“She asked for three women from my company.” Robert explained. “My fastest rising star, my most popular actress, and guess who was the third.”“I’m not in the mood for games, Robert.” Stephen warned his friend.
“Please babe, be my date tonight.” Stephen begged over the phone pretending to be a whipped boyfriend. “I told you I needed space, Stephen. If you really wanted to invite me, you would have asked me in advance.” Vanessa shouted over the phone. “I told you not to contact me, Stephen, I’m done with your lies.”Vanessa dropped the call on Stephen making him stare at the phone in shock.Collapsed in his seat and took deep breaths. Vanessa’s acting had been way too convincing that Stephen had to remind himself that it was all fake.“You okay?” Amalia asked as she entered his room, making sure he had the right shade of necktie to match Angel Clarke’s dress.“I’m fine.” Stephen sighed as he got up and inspected his suit for the night.Like everything he owned now, it was custom made for him. It was designed and tailored by a very exclusive designer with a limited clientele. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Amalia asked her brother as she hesitated from leaving the room.She
“Gabrielle.” Stephen said in a flat tone as he nodded at his ex.He could see in her eyes that she wasn’t happy to be there with Angel and that the way Stephen regarded her infuriated her.“Edward, let’s swap!” Amalia whined as she walked over to Stephen’s friend. “I don’t want to be my brother’s date. He is no fun.”Edward and Robert both chuckled at the young woman as Stephen walked ahead of their group, into the venue.It was clear that he was not interested in anything other than supporting his friend and keeping his sister company.“Stephen, have you met my companion?&r
“The Lu family is working with the underworld?” Hans asked as he glanced at his cousin in disbelief. Over the years the Underworld was one part of Marina City that both families had failed to control. If the Lu family managed to pull into their fold the leaders of the Underworld and Stephen was not the head of the Essen Mafia, they would have easily crushed the Cho family.“They don’t, sir. At least not yet.” John clarified as he spoke to the cousins over the phone.“What do you mean?” Hans asked.“No one person can rule over the underworld of Marina City, let alone this country.” John told Hans. “The city and this country is too diverse for any one person to take control. There is also the matter of people like the Lu and Cho families that make taking control even more difficult.”“Isn’t the Essen Mafia powerful enough to get them to follow?” Hans asked as he looked at his cousin.“Not as just the Essen Mafia.” Stephen said with a smile on his lips. “Huh?” Hans was now even more
When Stephen declared the changes when it came to who would inherit the Cho family fortune in the future, Ina was no longer able to keep the reporters in line.Stephen decided to end the press conference there and move on.He, Vanessa, and Hans all left the stage and returned to Stephen’s office at the top floor. They were greeted by Paolo’s laughter as they entered the room, he was playing with Amalia and Robert. “Shouldn’t you be putting out the fire I just started downstairs?” Stephen asked as he gave Robert an amused look.His friend was never big on children.As a matter of fact, Robert was probably the one that was most against having children in their friend group. So it was quite the surprise for Stephen to see Robert happily playing with a child.“They don’t need me to put out that fire.” Robert chuckled as his phone began to ring next to him.“Shi-” Robert began to curse.“Language!” Both Hans and Stephen shouted, making Robert jump in surprise. “You two are going to scar
Paolo Cho was a handsome child, it was something that the reporters couldn’t deny. He had received amazing genes from the Fredrikson, Ong, and Cho families, making him probably one of the best looking children around.But when Paolo Cho smiled he won the hearts of everyone in the crowd, even those that wanted to speak badly of the Cho and Fredrikson families.They might have been bribed by the Ong families and their allies, but there was no denying that Pablo Cho was happy.Pablo waved at the crowd and smiled. He then hugged his father as he shied away from the crowd again.People couldn’t blame the little boy, he had lived his entire life in hiding and now, all of a sudden he was in front of hundreds of people. Every single one of the reporters wanted to snap a photo of him or his father. It was obvious that Paolo was already getting uncomfortable with the situation.“I’ll bring him in.” Amalia volunteered as she took Paolo from Hans, allowing him to stand straight and glare at the
Tell me in the comments guys, which you would prefer Daily Chapters or Minimum 7 Chapters Once a Week? Tell me what you think in the comments or send me a dm! I would very much appreciate if you would tell me what you would prefer. As a reader I honestly prefer the second one hehe. I know many of you were shocked by the mass update last night but just think of that as me trying to make it up to all of you on the missed out chapters thoughout the month. Also, don't forget to follow me on my socials for updates.
“Ah, I see you’ve noticed it.” Stephen said as he saw the confused expression on some of the reporters' faces.Not everyone had seen a DNA test in the past. Normally when businessmen and actors were trying to prove they were not the father of a child, the match would be much lower compared to what was flashed on the screen.“Allow me to explain for those who are seeing a DNA test for the first time.” Stephen said with a smile. “The report you are seeing behind me says that I am somehow related to Gabrielle Ong’s child. Now for those that are familiar with the genealogy of the Ong and Cho families, we are not in any way related.”The members of the media nodded as they slowly absorbed the information that Stpehen was telling them.Most were genuinely surprised at how kind Stephen sounded and at how willing he was to explain the situation to them.Normally, leaders in the same position as Stephen had little to no patience to explain trivial thing such as these, but Stephen took his tim
The parking lot of Philip Tower was filled with people chatting among themselves.It was no mystery what the Cho family was about to announce, they all knew that the biggest issue of that time was if Stephen Cho did or didn’t have an illegitimate child.Many people claimed that it was just a ploy of the Ong family to get their members out of jail.Others said that there was truth to it, especially since Gabrielle Ong was Stephen’s ex girlfriend.No matter what rumor people believed they all still wanted to be there. They all wanted to hear the truth and they all wanted to report it first. Inside the lobby of Philip Tower, Stephen looked out at the crowd that had formed.He had never expected that these many people would be interested in their personal lives. He thought that mostly gossip columnists would appear, but it seemed that every kind of reporter stood in their office’s parking lot.“You can’t seriously be surprised.” Hans said as he stood next to his cousin.“I just didn’t th
“We need to make a press release, the media will not leave us alone if we don’t.” Amalia told her brother as they sat around the meeting table in his office.Among those Stephen had invited were people he believed were crucial when it came to the matter of Paolo Cho’s identity.“Have you gotten the Ong family under control?” Stephen asked as he looked to his cousin.He knew that only a few days had passed and that Hans had his hands full watching over Paolo, but they needed to make sure that the Ong family wouldn’t cause them problems.“Almost, there are still some who are trying to question my ability.” Hans said with a malicious grin. “My people are making sure they understand who I am today.”Stephen nodded, impressed by Hans’ efficiency with dealing with the matter of the Ong family.“So we can schedule a press release today, the news agencies will publish it tomorrow and everything will be settled.” Amalia said as she thought of the timeline in her head.“No, we won’t just releas
Miguel and Manuel might come from a weaker family than the Cho’s but they had begun as Stephen’s friends, so Stephen decided to accompany Miguel to the airport the next day.He had offered for Miguel to use his private jet and the younger Villanueva brother happily accepted the offer.Stephen and Manuel stood on the tarmac with Miguel as they said their final goodbyes.“I’m guessing I won’t see you for a while, boss.” Miguel teased him.Technically now it was true that Stephen was their boss. With the trade to protect their family name, they were more like his henchmen doing his bidding rather than his partners through a treaty.“Most likely.” Stephen said with a nod.His wife was pregnant and he had no intentions of leaving her alone for too long. “I just wanted to say, thank you.” Miguel told Stephen. “You helped us back then and you helped us again now. Jacob would have ruined our family if news got out about his cases.”Stephen nodded, then he realized something, he forgot to as
Stephen had been exhausted by the night before.Paolo had woken up in the middle of the night and cried out for both Hans and Stephen. Stephen had been sleeping with the little boy at the time, but he refused to calm down unless his Daddy Hans was there.It seemed Paolo had settled on what to call them.Hans was Daddy, and Stephen was Papa. In the same way, he called Vanessa his Mama. When Stephen had asked a maid to call for Hans, his cousin seemed like he was about to burst into tears because his son had called for him.“Boss?” Andrew called, waving his hand in front of Stephen. “Sorry, Paolo had a hard time sleeping after yesterday’s incident. What were you saying Andrew?”Stephen asked as he tried to focus on the discussion at hand.“The bidding for the latest piece of land that that government has put up for sale starts in a week. The procurement director wanted to ask if you wished to purchase it.” Andrew informed Stpehen as he handed him the details of the piece of property.