“MISS WESTMANCER,” Charles greeted in an authoritative tone, but confusion was also evident on his face. “Why are you here? You have another project to take care of, am I right?”“Yes, sir,” Katie nodded as she immediately went in front and quickly set up the PowerPoint. “I apologize for my tardiness. This will never happen again.”Katie Westmancer is the project manager of the Remington Corporation’s strategy department and Myra’s boss. She’s a forty-two-year-old woman who looked mischievous and pretentious at the same time.One of the reasons why August didn’t choose the Strategy Department in the first place was because of her. He wouldn’t get a rock and hammer it into his head.&n
“KATIE,” August called as soon as he reached her position, making Katie raise a brow.She looks at the person in front of her with annoyance and dismay at the same time.‘First name basis? Without honorifics? Did he think that we’re close enough?’ Katie’s lips parted as those thoughts filled her mind. ‘Our age gap is huge! How rude!’August, on the other hand, didn’t mind at all. For him, respect is earned and not given just because they were older, or they were powerful in some organization.And seeing how Katie crossed her arms as she looked at August from head to toe— obviously mocking and judging him by her looks— tells him that s
MEANWHILE, MYRA was on the rooftop, feeling the cold wind burying deep onto her skin. Her eyes were already red because of her nonstop crying, but still, tears continued falling down her cheeks.She didn’t leave even if Katie kicked her out of their department earlier after stealing the proposal from her.After all the things she endured just for the internship, she couldn’t leave that easily.'She just didn't steal my proposal, but failed me on my evaluation…' said Myra at the back of her mind as she heaved a sigh in dismay.It was her hard work! Even if she couldn't go back as a Remington Corporation intern, she should take the credit for her proposal, at least!
MYRA WASN’T able to answer immediately. She stared at August for a long time, her lips parted as she was about to say something, only to shut it as fear consumed her. Since Samantha left them, she realized that even her own family could hurt her that much, so what more if it was strangers? She would be disappointed, but not shocked. “I… I don’t know,” Myra finally had the guts to say after a few seconds. She bowed her head in embarrassment because of two things. First, because she let her emotions overtake her, and second, despite August helping her earlier, she couldn’t trust him this time. She expected August to be mad, but she flinched a bit when she felt his hand patting her head. When she raised her head, she saw August smiling at her— genuinely. “Go home for now. You look tired,” said August with pure sincerity. His smile never left his lips, making Myra dumbfounded. However, as she doesn’t have the energy to argue anymore, she just nodded before walking onto the rooftop d
“THE REASON why all of us are here is to brainstorm, and you’ll leave early because you’re going to think of a solution alone?” Sapphire raised a brow. “Sit down, and if you have something to say, say it here— in front of everyone.”‘She isn’t in the mood.’ That’s the conclusion August had in mind. ‘Maybe this problem took a toll on the marketing department as well.’August felt amused and afraid at the same time. Sapphire’s voice was authoritative to the point that Katie couldn’t do anything but went back onto her seat, and bit her lower lip.‘This adopted bitch!’ Katie clenched her fists under the table. She composed herself to think about something, but she couldn’t have any ideas since she wasn’t the one who was generating ideas about her submitted proposals in the first place.Katie’s eyes flickered on the room. Everyone was also trying to think of a solution, but she knew that everyone was waiting for her to speak. It’s because she’s the project manager of the strategy departme
IN THE REMINGTON MANSION, August has finished clicking the send button on his keyboard— which makes the proposal to be sent to Katie’s email.“Easy as pie,” he stated as he extended his arms and snapped his neck, lightly stretching it.For him, the proposal he made was a piece of cake since he had an idea about the main problem already.And he was certain that there would be another problem incoming that was just lying below the surface.He told Katie earlier that he’ll send the proposal at eleven o’clock, but he managed to finish everything at ten. Maybe he had overestimated the problem too much.Or maybe, he just had knowledge of something others didn’t know about, and that’s why he found everything easy.'With power and connections, I was able to do anything I wanted,' he said at the back of his mind.After a minute, Katie replied.Katie: I always have a hunch whether a proposal is good or not. That’s my talent. And I think this is one of them!A sly smirk showed on August’s face a
AS SOON AS she recovered from her shock, Sapphire suddenly took her burner phone, which she hides in her cabinet, and called one of her people— Theo, her private investigator.After a few rings, the man on the other line answered.“Greetings, young mistress.”Theo is a middle-aged man who worked with Sapphire in exchange for the protection Sapphire was giving him. He is wanted all over the country for a crime he didn’t even do. With Sapphire’s help and influence, he was able to fake his own death, create a new identity, and live his life to the fullest.That’s why he’ll always feel indebted to Sapphire, and he’ll follow her commands, no matter what that is.Without him knowing, Sapphire was indebted to him, too. Because of him, Sapphire now knew where to focus her attention— Who was the real oppressor, and who was just framed up."The email you sent me." Sapphire looked again at the photos attached to the email. For a moment, she couldn't believe her eyes. "Is this true?""Of course,
AS AUGUST and Charles ended their conversation, the time went fast, and it was already seven o’clock in the morning. Sapphire was continually banging on his door, telling him to prepare faster as she needed to leave early because she had tons of things to do, especially the problem with the product recall.If only Sapphire could leave early to work, she would. But Charles made it a habit for the Remington family members to go to the company together. She found that habit weird, especially when it’s the rule maker— Charles— who disobeys that rule sometimes. There are times that Charles leaves early in the morning without her knowing.However, she couldn’t complain. At least, not with Charles.“Aren’t you done preparing?” Sapphire asked, slightly annoyed while standing in front of his door. “I need to leave! Father and I are waiting!”“Sorry,” August apologized sincerely. “Wait for me for a minute.”As he was done preparing, he stared at his large vertical mirror for the last time. Hi
TWO YEARS LATER…The waves on the water splash on the yacht where August was standing right now. Both his hands were holding onto the rail as his gaze fixated on the sunset in front of him. It was beautiful, ethereal, and breathtaking… Just like the woman who was walking toward him.“August,” Daphne called her as she gave her husband a fruit shake. “You’ve been there for an hour already. Would you want to spend this day with fish than me?” she asked, pretending to be pissed as her lips curved into a smile.“No need to be jealous of nature, my dear wife. I just want to appreciate how beautiful the sunset was.”August laughed, pulling Daphne gently closer to him using his other hand. Now, both of them were staring at the sunset with genuine smiles plastered onto their faces. August’s hand was resting on Daphne’s waist, while the latter had her head leaned on her husband’s shoulder.A year ago, both of them got remarried, for real this time. At that moment, both of them couldn’t help bu
COUPLE DAYS later, August was able to heal from the beating he had endured when Raquel took him down. He was now as good as hell, and he could now work tirelessly to catch up with all of the deadlines and meetings he had neglected while he was at rest. Fortunately, the press, with a lot of help from Daphne, didn’t know a thing about what happened to August, or else he would be bombarded by the press in front of the Remington Corporation. However, it would not be for long, as something grand would happen now. August had been waiting for this day—The day when the final showdown begins. This day had come down to this moment, where the tables would turn, and justice would finally be served. This time, August made sure that Francis would not be able to run away from his crimes, nor frame someone up to escape from it. Inside August’s office, all of his allies, Daphne, Sapphire, and Maxine, were inside the room. The air was thick with tension as they were looking at the wall clock from ti
RAQUEL, at that moment, was too stunned to speak. Shivers sent down his spine as the unexpected news lingered in his mind. His shoulder was aching because of the pain, but suddenly, it became numb as the pain struck his heart.“W-What?” Raquel asked, blinking his eyes twice. “Are you… fooling me?”“No… It’s the truth.” Sapphire shook her head, the pain registering through her rounded, brown eyes. “We’re Maxine’s children—Her lost twins.”“But how?” Raquel’s brows furrowed in confusion and annoyance at the same time. “If she is my brother, and you’re my twin, and you knew everything about it… Then why didn’t you approach me?”“Maxine only knew it recently, the same as mine.” Sapphire heaved a sigh and bit her lower lip afterward to contain her emotions.After a few seconds, she spoke again.“August informed me recently by giving the birth certificates Master Charles hid in his cabinet. It turns out that Maxine didn’t want to know us at that time because of the complexity of her job… Sh
AUGUST WAS in a daze when he woke up from his not-so-peaceful slumber. He didn’t wake up naturally, but he woke up when someone poured him cold water placed in a bucket, causing August to jolt in shock… Only to realize that he was tied to the chair.Same situation. Same abandoned room.Shivers sent down his spine because of the uncanny coincidence both of the situations had.‘Fucking shit. This is déjà vu,’ said August at the back of his mind when he realized that this is where everything started—When Charles had his people take him so he could have a one-on-one talk with August about being a pretend heir.However, the only difference between the event before and now, is that the person in front of him looked like he was eager to kill him in an instant, but he was just taking his time to do it.“R-Raquel…” August mumbled, slightly stammering, as his gaze fixated on Raquel.“How’s your sleep, August?” Raquel threw the silver bucket on the floor in force while wearing his most sardonic
[RICHARD WELLINGTON]August blinked his eyes twice, trying to confirm if what he was reading on the paper was true, or if his eyes were just playing with him. However, a few seconds had passed, and he still read the same name.“H-How…” August was at a loss for words. It wasn’t something that he expected. He almost thought that it was Francis, but turns out that the lead scientist is Richard, the Wellington family’s original heir.“Are there—”“Greetings, Sir August.”August was about to ask the lead engineer if he found more documents other than the white folder he was holding now, but his words went midway as three cleaners who were wearing personal protective equipment suddenly bowed in front of him.“One of your employees called us to clean this room,” one of the cleaners said as she glanced at the mess August made earlier.“A-Ah. Right.”August only nodded at them, not knowing what to say. His mind was so shocked that he didn’t even notice his employees leaving him alone in the ro
TWO WEEKS LATER, the event about Bruce being confined to the Remington Mental Hospital scattered around the country. According to the doctors, Bruce was diagnosed with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and he would need long-term medication and treatment to heal.While some people sympathized with Bruce for it, some people say that it was karma because of what he had done to August.However, August didn’t care what those people think about now. He had work—A bunch of them—And it was never-ending.It was already one o’clock in the morning as August had finished meeting with the different departments, and reviewing business proposals. He wasn’t eating his lunch yet but he was determined to finish everything first. August wanted to have free time so he could take care of his other business that he neglected because the work became surprisingly overwhelming.“Maxine…” August called, causing Maxine, who was sitting on the couch, to look at him. “Do I still have any urgent matters
“MR. JAKE SANDOVAL, the head of the Sandoval family, was arrested for torture against his son, Bruce Sandoval. The police said that they were investigating thoroughly about this matter and that they will preserve results with fairness and no biases—”Before the reporter could finish her sentence, August already took the remote and turned the television. Daphne, who was immersed in watching the news, jolted in shock as she turned around, only to see August smiling at her.“I’m home,” said August in a sweet tone as he extended both his arms, asking for a hug.Daphne couldn’t help but laugh a little. She went toward August and wrapped him in her embrace. “How was it? What happened to Samantha?” she asked in curiosity.“I think Samantha and Bruce divorced… But I’m not yet sure.” August caressed Daphne’s hair lightly and gently pushed her head more onto his chest. “Stop watching the news, okay? It’s already enough that you know anything, but don’t think about it too much.”Daphne only nodd
“WHERE DID you go? Why do you look like shit?” Nicole asked as Bruce went inside the room, all his clothes were soaked because of the rain. “Take a bath first before you go to the dining table. You know that your father didn’t like seeing you like that,” she added, shaking her head. “Yes, Mother.” Bruce nodded as he was tired to explain everything. He went to the bathroom to fix himself. Bruce wore a simple white shirt and sweatpants before he went to the dining table, joining Nicole and Jake for their late dinner. Samantha was already out of the picture as his parents were also informed of what she did earlier. However, they weren’t aware that Bruce felt hurt because of the same reason. “Did you chase that bitch away?” Jake asked while they were eating. “Y-Yes, Father.” “That’s good,” Jake commented, and Bruce only smiled subtly in response. Bruce ate his steak, but because of his stomach churning and his heart thumping rapidly, he felt like that piece of steak was hard to sw
SHE IS the most stupid person in the world, and she knows it. Samantha couldn’t help but look at August in disbelief, the pain and betrayal registering upon her facial expression.“August… You can’t do this to me…” Samantha mumbled as her knees went wobbly. If not only for the table in front of her, she might be sitting on the floor now. “This isn’t what we have talked about…”“I know,” August said, and Samantha didn’t notice that he was just done talking to someone on the phone. “That’s why it is called betrayal. It’s painful, especially when you’re feeling desperate.”“How can you do this to me? I am your girlfriend!” Samantha exclaimed, gritting her teeth and clenching her jaw.“Ex-girlfriend, Samantha,” August corrected before he heaved a sigh. “Our relationship was over years ago.”As if on cue, two guards entered August’s office and took Samantha away, just like what he did yesterday. He could even hear Samantha cursing and begging him at the same time before the guard closed th