"What's going on here?" Lucian repeated when he didn't get a response from the people in the room.At the harsh, chilly tone, John pulled his cap further down his face, an act that did not go unnoticed by Lucian.John held his breath as his brain searched for an escape plan. He didn't dare move or even attempt to breathe because he was afraid Lucian might recognize the rise and fall of his chest. If that happened, it was game over. As if sensing his uneasiness, Lena smiled, switching to playing the perfect character. She walked up to Lucian and wrapped a hand around his shoulder. "Baby, I thought you went out for lunch? I was about to join you in the office later,"Lucian shook his head. "My schedule changed." He gestured towards John. "Who is he?""Him?" Lena released a careless chuckle. "I was just escorting him out. One of the cleaners who happened to missed his way,""Newly employed?""Yeah, got employed last week," Lena said."I thought the superiors regularly conduct a tour for
Betty exhaled sharply as she ignored the women. She wasn't going to indulge these bullies, and neither was she going to let her fear show because people like them feed on their victim's fear."Hey, hey, hey! Look what the cat dragged in," one of the women chuckled sarcastically. She was a heavily built woman with a long scar that covered the length of her neck. Her bright, red eyes were shining like a calculative predator sniffing out its prey."Hey darling, I heard you got life imprisonment huh?" The second woman sneered, sizing Betty despicably. "You really tried to murder that rich dude. What's he called again? Remind me, girls,""Lucian Manchester, president of Howards," The third woman said with a scrunched-up face. "Wow, I see even isolated gutter rats in this area of the world still get premium information," Betty muttered in disgust. She was slowly losing her cool and these bunch of bitches weren't helping matters."What did you say?" The fourth woman, a small woman with an u
Betty felt chills run through her as she stood with cold, hard eyes. She looked first at Lucian, then at Josephine, and suddenly, as if something had snapped within her, she walked up to Josephine and landed a fierce slap on her cheeks. "Funny how you showed up where you aren't wanted either, brat!"Betty's nostrils flared as the officers rushed in and roughly pushed her to the seat. They apologized repeatedly to Josephine before exiting the room."That won't stop me from landing you a similar slap if you don't leave right now!" Betty glared at Lucian.Lucian tsked. "Pride. So much pride even in your pathetic state. How very realistic." He turned to Josephine. "Are you okay?""Yeah, I can manage" Josephine forced a smile as she rubbed her chin."You're lucky there are no bruises on her face or else I'd sue you again, over and over again," Lucian said, this time his gaze burned on Betty and she scoffed. "You were expecting mummy to come see you, right? Perhaps one of her accomplices? S
Deciding against having the conversation in his office, Lucian walked into Anthony's office but the other man was already on his way out. "Young master…the police was here. I just finished organizing the staff to avoid murmurs and discoordination,""Don't go about stressing yourself. You're still recovering and you know that," Lucian scolded.Anthony smiled. "I'm fine, thanks for caring. But the fact remains that this is clearly John's doing. He's trying to shift the blame on you and that's not fair!""I played him to his own game," Lucian smiled knowingly. "That day after he crept into the company under disguise, I fished out the planted evidence and burnt it to ashes,""Serves him right…" Anthony mumbled as his mind kept roaming in thoughts.******"What do you mean they couldn't find evidence?! What the hell? Are you saying that the police went on a futile search and I just wasted my resources and time?!" John yelled aggressively at the leader of his men."That's what happened, bos
A painful smile crossed Irex's face. "Were you expecting that I'd never find out? Well, fortunately, news flow in this rather remote part of the world,"John couldn't say a word. His eyes were fixed on Irex's face and he noted the pale skin, the bruises, the scars. Irex didn't look anything like he used to be. He looked like a shrunken, old man."Is it because Irex's establishment isn't yours? That's why you're running it with so much negligence and stupidity? I deserve better, don't I?" Irex continued, pained."That's why I'm here," John changed his tactics when he realized he had been caught. "I realize my mistakes so I want you to come take your place as the rightful CEO. Lucian is biting more than he can chew,"Irex laughed sarcastically, punctuating his words with small punches on the hard table. "You want me to meddle in your family's business once more, yeah? I'm now garbage to you. A pushover. A puppet. Too bad I'm realizing it now,"John licked his lips. This was getting toug
"Let's go inside first," Josephine suggested, swallowing hard as she took a step back. She entered the office and sat on an empty chair with a sigh. "I don't think I'm ready for all the fuss the announcement would bring,"Lucian nodded with a gentle smile. "I understand and it's fine. I'll ask Darcel to delete the articles,""There's something else. Here," Josephine said, handing her phone over to him. She watched as his face formed into an angry frown. No doubt, he was trying to figure out the sender of the message."Don't pay attention to that crap. It's not bothering me," Josephine said, hoping her words would serve as a consolation to both of them."I'm going to fish out this person and make them pay cus it's not funny." Lucian laid the phone aside as he approached her. He placed light leather touches on her skin. "Be rest assured that I won't let anything happen to you,""I know," she replied softly. "I know. Don't worry, it's only a matter of time before your enemies all get wha
The last person Josephine expected to come in contact with was her stepmother, Althea. As her car drove through the dark section of the street towards her home, an ongoing commotion caught her eye. Some men were gathered around a haggard-looking woman and they were manhandling her."Miss, this place isn't safe. I'll make a U-turn to the other street," Her private bodyguard said, after taking a mental picture of the situation."No…no…please wait!" Josephine stuttered as her eyes picked up the woman on the floor. Recognition struck her painfully and she gasped. "That's…that's my mother and she's hurt!"The bodyguard turned to her with a frown. "Miss, your mum?""Yeah, stop the car please," She replied, shakily hitting on the car seat."This place isn't safe, miss. I'll…""Didn't you hear stop the car?!" Josephine yelled as she removed her seat belt and was on the verge of jumping out of the car when the bodyguard's strong hand held her back."Believe me, Miss. If you try to save your mu
"Young Master, look at this," Anthony said the next morning as he handed Lucian the device. "I kept monitoring him for a while hoping he'd come to his senses, but no, that bastard is determined to remain a bastard,"Lucian didn't bother to collect the phone. He just stared at it from where he sat and as he did so, he could feel his anger rising against his wish Today wasn't supposed to be a day of anger. He had wished for a peaceful day where he didn't have to worry about what his enemies were planning, but it seemed John was determined to frustrate his plans."Their sales are increasing graphically but at the same time, they're causing harm to other companies, including ours. John is using illegal means to achieve his sick goals. He's exploiting the public, especially those in the rural areas. For how long would he keep doing this?!" Anthony groaned in frustration."I mean I get it if he narrows his arrow in our direction, but for him to channel it to those poor folks, exploiting th