Michael glanced between Stephen and Andrew as a deafening silence enveloped the room. When the two men had entered, Stephen didn’t say a word. He just sat down, crossed his arms and glared at Michael.Following Stephen’s lead, Andrew did the same. “Why didn’t you tell us?” Andrew said as his expression went soft. He hadn’t spoken this way to Michael since he arrived. Andrew had thought the worst of Michael, even when he was pleading, explaining what had happened. To Andrew one of the gravest crimes now was to betray Stephen.“I had to Andrew! You don’t know what it was like!” Michael cried out, sobbing. “But I regretted it in the end, that’s why I’m here. I’d rather get fired than suffer my conscience!”Andrew stood up and slammed his palm on the table.“What do you mean I don’t know what it’s like?!” He asked angrily as he stood up.Stephen remained calm as Andrew grabbed Michael by the collar, dragging the younger man forward.“Michael, do you forget who’s son I am? My mother is
When Stephen arrived in the office the next day, he acted as if nothing had happened. He carried his laptop to his office, greeted everyone as usual, including Michael who nervously glanced between Stephen and Amalia. Michael had learned the truth, Amalia wasn’t in this team just because the chairman favored Stephen, she was here because he was her brother. It was no wonder that Amalia had easily adjusted to Stephen, they acted as if they had known each other for a long time from the start, because they had. “Meeting, ten minutes, my office.” Stephen announced as soon as he realized that the entire team was there. Vanessa had recovered all of the files last night, they would be able to complete the entire project within the day. Everyone quickly gathered their things or headed to the bathroom, while Isabelle prepared coffee and snacks for everyone.“It will be a long one, won’t it boss?” Isabelle asked as Stephen passed her.“I want it done today, I might have to bother you to o
“You aren’t attending tonight?” Amalia asked as she stayed behind to speak with her brother. It was six in the evening and Stephen had allowed his team to go home.They had progressed quite well that day and were ready to present in three days.“No, but Vanessa will be going with a friend and several bodyguards.” Stephen told his sister as he made the finishing touches on the presentation.“Don’t tell me you’ll be working the entire evening? I know for a fact that Robert and Edward will be at the Charity event tonight.” Amalia said, crossing her arms on her chest. “Grandpa told you to build your connections. You’ve been gone for too long.”Stephen sighed, his sister was truly being too insistent. “Vanessa will be there, building her own connections. My presence will only make things worse for her.” Stephen reminded his sister about how lowly he was right now compared to his fiance. “So you will just stay in the office and work?” Amalia asked, clearly annoyed at her brother.“I will
“Smile, you look like you’ve been forced to come here. Don’t be so stiff.” Amalia whispered to her brother as they approached the host and his wife.To Stephen’s surprise, the host’s wife was none other than Ginny Yeo, his wife’s officemate. “Miss Cho, it’s an honor to have you as a guest.” Ginny’s husband greeted. Stephen knew him from when he was younger. He was a few years older than Stephen and they went to the same school in the past. “Mr. Yeo, this is my guest, Malcolm Reyes. He is a guest of the Cho family.” Amalia told the man as she introduced him.“Welcome to Marina, Mr. Reyes, you will not find a better host than the Cho family.” The man said as he praised the Cho family.“It is a quick visit, but the Cho family and mine have been good friends for generations. I am happy to spend time with them.” Stephen said.“Oh, I see Edward and Robert, I should introduce Malcolm to them. Please, excuse us.” Amalia told their host as she dragged Stephen away. Stephen couldn’t help bu
“Emily Ty.” Stephen said over the phone as he spoke to John. He didn’t need to use the Cho Industries resources to make Vanessa’s cousin suffer. “Are you sure you want to do this?” John asked, everyone around Stephen knew how he refused to hurt the Ty family because of his fiance.“It wasn’t me that they offended.” Stephen answered.“Alright boss, we’ll get all the dirt on her and her branch of the family. I should have it by the time you get home, enjoy the party.” John told Stephen as Stephen thanked him and ended the call. “What did you do?” Amalia asked as she kept watch, making sure no one got too close to Stephen. Of course that was incredibly difficult since most of the guests wanted to introduce themselves to the mysterious Malcolm Reyes. “I just asked for an investigation.” Stephen responded.It was the truth, he had done nothing yet.“I was not offended.” Amalia insisted. “Also I don’t need you to come to my rescue, I’ve survived six years without you.”“You don’t need t
“Vanessa.” Ginney hissed as she pulled her friend away, afraid that she would offend the Cho family and their friends. It was practically suicide to do that, and it would be quite contrary to what Vanessa wanted to achieve with that night.“Very well.” Stephen said, laughing at his fiance’s request he never expected her to stand up for the friend that had so badly offended them in their past few meetings. The guests were all shocked when the man they had perceived to be quite stubborn submitted to this woman. Many couldn’t help but wonder if Malcolm Reyes carried a torch for Vanessa Ty. It was not surprising to the people around if a man like Malcolm Reyes liked Vanessa, not only had she also captured the attention of other rich young masters, but she was quite amazing in her own right.She was not just beautiful, but intelligent as well. She had her own career and came from a decent family.“Miss Ty is truly very fortunate.” One of the bystanders said. “She has not only has a man
“Where are you?” Vanessa asked over the call as she spoke to Stephen.“At Cho Mansion, grandpa wanted to talk after I dropped Amalia off at home.” Stephen said knowing that by now the Ty family would be well aware that they were coming after Emilia Ty and her side of the family.“Grandpa and my dad are in hysterics!” Vanessa exclaimed over the phone. “They want us to come home.”“Your family has never wanted anything to do with me, Vanessa.” Stephen reminded her.“I know, but I think they want you to come over because of your connection to Cho Industries. Alona has also been called home too, he isn’t happy.” Vanessa complained to Stephen. “I know you are behind this.”“And what if I’m not?” Stephen asked. He didn’t want to lie to Vanessa, but it seemed this time he might just have to. He needed to protect both Vanessa and the Cho family, and Emilia Cho’s offense to Amalia was not something that he could easily overlook.The Cho family must never look like they could be easily bullie
“Are you stupid?” Stephen asked, directly insulting Vanessa’s family for the first time. “Do you really think this is the Cho family’s style?” “Wha- what do you mean?” Lynn asked in a shaky voice. “If the Cho family went after you, you wouldn’t even know till it was too late.” Stephen hissed. “If it were really the Cho family after you, there would be no collateral damage. Clearly this is someone else.” Lynn was about to say something but was stopped by her daughter. “If not the Cho family, then who?” Vanessa asked, worried about the answer she was about to get. She was well aware of how powerful Stephen could be if he took advantage of his resources, but that was the thing about Stephen, he didn’t like making too much noise. Stephen frowned as he looked at his fiance, he tried to gauge if she would be mad, but as usual, she kept a calm demeanor around her family. “The Chos have a guest in the city now.” Stephen told them as he looked at Vanessa. “I heard about him from som
“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.