“Really grandpa!?” Vanessa gasped as Eldrich Cho told her stories from Stephen’s childhood.“He was such a grandma’s boy that he would cry just in front of my late wife so that he could get what he wanted!” Eldrich Cho said with a loud laugh. “That’s because you were all so strict on me.” Stephen grumbled as he continued to smile, happy that his childhood could now be shared with Vanessa. “Why wouldn’t I be?” Eldrich Cho said as he glared at his grandson. “You are the heir to the Cho Empire, you are supposed to be smart, strong, and unmoving in the face of any challenge. You needed to be brought up properly.” “It seems that that very upbringing saved me, grandpa.” Stephen smiled at the old man, who nodded in reply.“Had you grandma and mom not raised me properly, I would have long died or given up.” Stephen said as he beamed proudly at his grandfather. “I might have survived by chance, but it was because of my upbringing that I am before you now.” “I will always be proud of you, S
Stephen watched as his grandfather gave Vanessa a tour. “Up there are the private rooms.” Eldrich Cho pointed up the stairs to the fourth floor of the mansion. “I can’t let you go up there since my daughter-in-law is resting while my granddaughter keeps her company.”Stephen looked up longingly at the steps that led to where he had lived six years ago. “The fourth and fifth floors hold the offices and private rooms.” Stephen further explained. “Let’s go this way.” Eldrich Cho said as he let Vanessa away from the stairs. “Here on the second floor we have some more public venues, a formal dinning hall, and a ballroom for events. We also have rooms for hosting guests. The guest rooms are here as well.”“It’s a very beautiful home.” Vanessa said as she looked around and marveled at the elegant and intricate design of the house. “Does it get lonely?” Stephen was shocked by her question, while Eldrich Cho laughed.“It does, it sure does, especially after my children left.” Eldrich Cho e
“Am I still dreaming?” Claudette Cho asked as she looked at her daughter.“No mom, this isn’t a dream. That really is my brother. Stephen didn’t die.” Amalia said as tears started to form in her eyes.Amalia had been wanting to tell her mother about Stephen surviving, but she couldn’t do it without his permission. She also understood the risks should Claudette find out that her son was alive.“Mom, it’s me. Look.” Stephen said as he pinched his mother’s arm.“Ow!” The woman exclaimed. Her eyes suddenly went wide with the realization that Stephen was indeed alive and that this wasn’t another of her dreams.“Stephen!” His mother cried out as she hugged him tightly, sobbing in his arms.“Mom, I’m fine. I’m alive.” He said as he gently coaxed the woman in his arms. “How?” Claudette Cho asked between sobs as she continued to hold him tight, afraid that if she let go he would vanish into thin air. “You know what, I don’t care how, the only thing that matters to me is that you are alive.”
Due to Claudette Cho suddenly showing up and discovering about Stephen’s survival, Stephen and Vanessa ended up having diner at Cho Mansion.“So you and dad aren’t really divorced?” Stephen asked, shocked by the news he had learned from his mother and grandfather.Even Amalia was hearing this for the first time.“Yes, legally, I’m still married to him. Do you really think he wouldn’t have found a way to marry that whore if we were really divorced?” Claudette asked as she laughed at her husband and his mistress.“So why announce your divorce?” Amalia asked, confused as to why her parents had made the announcement.“I didn’t, he did.” Claudette answered in a cold tone. “I know he is still your father, Amalia, but he is not a good man.”“He is just a man that gave his sperm so that I could be born. After what he did to us, I no longer consider him to be my father.” Amalia hissed as she thought of how difficult it had been after her father announced his divorce from her mother.She looked
“Your mom was really nice, and so pretty too. She doesn’t look a day over thirty!” Vanessa exclaimed as she and Stephen ate lunch the next day.They had been so exhausted from their visit to Cho Mansion the day before that they collapsed in bed and didn’t wake up till late the next morning.“My mom isn’t normally that nice.” Stephen chuckled. “She’s only nice to the people she likes and respects. She’s been through way too much to be nice to everyone.”“So she likes me?” Vanessa asked, worried that Stephen’s family was just being nice to her for Stephen’s sake.“You’re asking silly questions, my mom, sister, and grandfather would take your side if we ever got into a fight.” Stephen laughed at the look of shock on Vanessa’s face. “Yes, they love you.”Before Vanessa could complain, Stephen’s phone began to ring and he had to excuse himself.“Boss!” It was John, his right hand man in the mafia, calling him. “Boss you know I wouldn’t bother you while you are here, but there are many matt
Stephen drummed his fingers on the table.“Leave me.” Stephen told John as he dismissed his right hand man.John knew that Stephen would ask to be alone if it weren’t for an important reason. He quickly stood and left, bringing with him the documents that they had slowly gathered on the gangs.“John, I want everything in three days.” Stephen said in a cold tone as his right hand man nodded and closed the door behind him.Stephen quickly called his grandfather, anxious as he waited for the old man to pick up.“Stephen?” Eldrich Cho asked, surprised that his grandson would call on a Sunday and at this time
“You tricked me.” Amalia grumbled as she crossed her arms on her chest and glared at her soon to be sister-in-law. “You told me we would be having a fun night out and you invited these three idiots.” “She hasn’t acted this childish in years, it’s a miracle.” Robert Ke chuckled as he pointed at Amalia.“Ever since your fake death, Amalia has been cold, distant, and well, too mature for her own sake.” Edward Hao explained to his friend as he smiled. “They aren’t that bad.” Vanessa reasoned with Amalia. “Plus, Stephen said we can go to a bar. That will be fun.”“You both have work tomorrow, I doubt we can stay out that late.” Amalia grumbled.“We don’t have to stay out too late to have fun.” Stephen pointed out. “Plus, isn’t tomorrow your first day at Cho Industries as well?” Amalia frowned at the reminder, but nodded nonetheless.“I’m the Chairman’s daughter, no one will complain if I’m late.” Amalia tried her best to defend her initial declaration that it would not be a fun night.
After having a fruitful weekend, Stephen returned to the office, excited to finally complete the project they had been working on.“Stephen, good morning.” Andrew greeted, as they bumped into each other at the basement parking lot of Philip Tower.“Good morning, let’s get this project done and completed, I don’t want to end up cramming anything.” Stephen announced as they got into the elevator. Initially it was only Stephen, Andrew, and one more employee of Cho Industries, but when they got to the ground floor, several people squeezed in pushing Stephen and Andrew to the back.“Quite an eventful day for the Cho family, isn’t it.” A girl giggled as she gossiped with her friend.“Why did something new happen?” Her friend asked, seemingly oblivious to whatever rumors circulated. “The young lady of the Cho family starts work today, Amalia Cho.” The first woman said in a low voice. Since they were in a cramped space, whispering was useless and everyone on the elevator heard what she had