Everyone turned to the direction of the door they were all surprised to see who it was except Helen.
"No one is leaving this house." Karina Brantley said boldly making Dalia glare at the younger woman."Karina you have no say in this stay out of it." Robert said."Oh really father? I have no say in this?" Karina asked."Yes, you don't." Robert replied."So you want to give Albert all that Theodore had been working so hard for?" Karina asked."Did this bitch put you up to this?" Karina asked referring to Dalia."How dare you call me a...""Oh please hold your horses Dalia I wasn't talking to you." Karina glared."No she didn't, there's something I didn't tell you. Theodore is not my son. Your mother had an affair..." Robert tried explaining but Karina cut him."Can you really blame her? You had an affair too. Else Albert wouldn't be standing here either. Oh and all the other mistresses asides Dalia." Karina reminded."So if Theodore is not your son, that makes me the only legal child in this household. So I'm making a claim to the company." Karina said."What?" Dalia and Robert yelled at the same time."You heard me. Albert wouldn't be your heir I would." Karina said surprising Theodore.Karina Brantley was the daughter of Robert's first wife and Theodore's mother.Karina had always been a rebellious and strong willed girl since birth she was a fashion designer. And even owned a fashion store of her own she was a year younger than Albert.She had always detested the mother and son pair ever since they found out their father had a son out there.And even if she found out Theodore wasn't blood related to Robert she didn't care at all. She still loved Theodore and she would fight for him."Your father is not giving his legacy to you Karina. My son is his heir." Dalia barked."Well, you'll have to kill me then." She said with a smirk.Albert could feel his blood boil the brother and sister pair had always gotten on his nerves. He knew they hated him and he didn't like them either.And now the bitch was trying to take something that should belong to him now that he and his mother had successfully dug Theodore's past and ousted him from the company.Dalia glared at Karina and Karina glared back."Karina we'll talk about this later but Theodore has to leave this house. He doesn't belong here, not after what he did to Albert your brother." Robert said."Please, don't call Albert my brother." Karina retorted."Karina." Theodore finally called out."Hey brother." Karina smiled lovingly at him."Don't fight for me over my staying here. I'll be leaving I don't even want to be under the same roof as the lots of them let's talk before I leave okay." Theodore smiled at her."If we're done here I guess you should all go to your rooms. Especially you Albert." Karina mocked and he glared at her before walking away.When it was just Karina, Helen and, Theodore left. Karina hugged her older brother."Sorry I wasn't here for your birthday sorry dad publicly embarrassed you.""Hey it's not your fault, I told you to participate in that contest. And congratulations." Theodore said pecking his little sister.She won the contest and Theodore was so proud."Thanks." Karina smiled."Where are you going to go?" Karina asked."I'll crash in a friends house.""Most of your friends ditched you." Karina reminded."Not the loyal ones or one." Theodore smiled."Look for your own apartment." Karina pouted."I will, tomorrow. I just need to crash with someone for tonight." Theodore said and Karina hugged him again."Get some rest, and don't stay here for too long." Theodore said to her."Theo, I want to fight for you.""Rina don't. I'll fight for myself I will get my revenge also I think I want to investigate mom's death." Theodore said."Why?" Karina asked."Your father and his wife said something about mom that made me suspicious.""Do you think dad has a hand in mom's death?" Karina asked."Don't know, maybe. But I hope not." Theodore replied."If he does I swear I'll kill him myself." Karina said with a frown and Theodore smiled and said."Calm down Rina. See you tomorrow, I guess I also need to get a job so I'll go hunt for one." Theodore said."Theo...""You just returned from a trip get some rest." Theodore said heading upstairs."Mom what are we going to do about Karina?" Albert asked."Keep it down, she said I should kill her didn't she? I might just take her advice." Dalia replied."No mom don't!" Albert yelled surprising Dalia."What has gotten into you?" Dalia asked."Mom I mean, wouldn't that put you in a difficult situation?" Albert asked as calmly as he could."Calm down son I got a plan." Dalia said."She is just like her crazy mother. I'll handle Karina." Dalia said an evil grin appearing on her face.Albert didn't look too happy with his mom's plans.Theodore left the mansion in the dead of night he texted someone that he was coming over."Boss, I thought you were kidding.""Come on Ivan don't call me that." Theodore said."So what happened they kicked you out?" Ivan asked."Doesn't it look that way?" Theodore asked."It does, I'm still surprised they did." Ivan said."You know I lost everything today. My life, my girlfriend, everything except my sister and nanny.""In a way you lost them as well, they are not here with you right now." Ivan said making Theodore chuckle."I have an early morning, good night Ivan." Theodore said"Good night Theodore."The next day, Theodore woke up by dawn he began searching for possible apartments and he found one that suits his needs he paid the bills and decided he would move in later.He got a text from Karina and he texted a meeting address to her."Good morning boss." Ivan greeted."Good morning Ivan you going to the company?" Theodore asked."Yes, although I think I would be tending in my resignation soon." Ivan said."Why?" Theodore asked."You gave me the job boss, how could i possibly work there without you? I'm pretty sure they would kick me out sooner or later." Ivan replied."I need your help with putting Theodore in his rightful place."Theodore knew Ivan had a point without him in the company he was sure they would kick Ivan out since he was his friend. And he was the one who gave Ivan the job. Ivan wouldn't actually have been friends with Theodore, he was from a poor background. They only met a few years back and unlike most rich snubs Theodore decided to make him his friend cause he liked him. And when he found out Ivan needed a job he decided to give him one at the company he believes Ivan was brilliant and he knew a talent like his was hard to come by. Ivan was also one of the reasons for Theodore's success at the company but now it would seem all their hard work was for nothing."You have a point." Theodore replied."Whatever it is you wish to do I wouldn't stop you." Theodore said. "Well I'll be tending my resignation next Monday." "Okay, well buddy I'm going out. I'll see you later." Theodore said. Theodore met up with Karina. "Morning." Theodore greeted."Morning brother." Karina said pecking him and h
Theodore couldn't understand why he was being stared at by most of the workers some where looking at him and even sneering. He knew his father didn't give the company to him but that doesn't mean he should be treated like dirt right? Karina dialed Theodore's number she was sure he didn't know about what was happening. Theodore walked out of the company when he heard his phone ring. "Rina what's wrong? I told you i was looking for a job today..." "I don't think you'll get one." Karina replied."Why?" Theodore asked surprised."There's a derogatory post about you." Karina replied. Theodore could feel his head spin he has been thinking he wasn't getting a job for some other reason but that was because someone ruined his reputation he decided to check his phone and see what was really on the posts.Theodore's identity as an illegitimate child was revealed. Robert Brantley had only announced Albert his heir but no one knew why. The post went on to call his mother a promiscuous woman
Karina was sobbing profusely she had tried calling Theodore but he wasn't answering making her more worried. No matter how angry he was he would still answer her call to tell her he was okay. But now he wasn't answering. "You still can't get a hold of him?" Helen asked."Yes, nanny I'm worried." Karina said she was still mad at Robert for saying all those things about her mom but she needed to be sure Theodore was okay. "Who are you people?" Theodore asked alarmed he wasn't just going to follow anyone he sees he might be depressed but he was still sane. "Someone wants to speak with you." One of the men replied. "And may I know who this someone is?" Theodore asked and they hesitated they were asked not to say a word about who their boss is. "Our boss wants to speak with you." One of them replied."What does your boss want from me?" Theodore asked."We don't know sir, all we know is we were asked to bring you to him. He said he just wants to talk." Leo the leader replied."Excuse
Theodore was still trying to digest everything someone had always wanted to hurt his mom since before he was born? Charles was drugged when he was in a business meeting and Argon Smith wanted nothing more than for him to be Charles' father in-law. He had specifically asked Charles to meet him in a hotel. He wanted to take Charles to one of the rooms making it look like he raped his daughter, thereby forcing him to marry her. Charles after taking a sip from the drink immediately figured the hidden agenda and he quickly excused himself Oliver saved him that day. He asked him to take him to the club. He didn't want his parents to know about it and he wanted to handle it discreetly. But then Kendra showed up, it would appear she got into the wrong room and Charles liking the woman in front of him gave into his desires. "How did she end up in your room?" Theodore asked. "She was so drunk that she didn't know what she was doing although there's something I still haven't figured out. T
Theodore drove straight to Nathalie's home. She was about to go out with Bridget. "Theodore what are you doing here?" Nathalie asked."I can't believe it Nathalie I can't believe you were the one who made that post go viral." "I..." Nathalie stammered."What cat got your tongue? Even if you hated me so much you shouldn't have involved my mom into it and now Nathalie I swear you will pay for this." Theodore said. "And who are you to threaten her you low life?" Bridget asked. "Stay out of it Bridget or you would be included in my revenge list and as a friendly reminder I don't go easy on my enemies." Theodore said and Bridget shuddered. Nathalie was scared to the bone she had never seen Theodore look this murderous. Even when he angrily punched Albert he didn't look like this his current look was terrifying. "It was Albert who posted it I swear. I had nothing to do with it." Nathalie explained."Oh I know... Which is why you and him would pay greatly for this. Sit back and watch t
Theodore rushed into the hospital and saw Helen sitting outside the ICU with a worried face. "Nanny is she okay?" He asked."I don't know she's still in the ICU." Helen said and Theodore clenched his fists. "Nanny what happened who did this?" Theodore asked. "I don't know." Helen replied. Earlier. Karina was in her room when she felt thirsty and she ordered a maid to get her a drink.The maid went into the kitchen and was about to return to Karina when Dalia called her. "Hey you." "Yes madam." She answered. "Go upstairs and get my bag I'm going out." Dalia ordered. "Ma'am, can you send someone else Miss Karina asked me to..." "Are you nuts? Do you want to lose your job?" Dalia asked pissed about the maids attitude. "No ma'am." She said immediately."Then get me my bag now." Dalia yelled and she scurried up the stairs. She could explain to Karina because she was a lot better than Dalia who was temperamental. She didn't want to lose her job. She returned with Dalia's bag. "
Robert arrived at the mansion and heard that Karina was poisoned he immediately headed to the hospital that Karina was rushed to but she wasn't there. And no one was willing to give him information about Karina's whereabouts. He decided to call Theodore because he was the only one he could think of. But Theodore's cold voice made him shudder."Robert what do you want?" Theodore asked. "Where is Karina?" Robert asked."Why do you want to know?" "If you know where she is I need you to tell me right now? Where is my daughter?" Robert asked. "Oh now she's your daughter? How pathetic you are Robert, wasn't she under your care in your mansion? Now she's dying and you act like you care about her..." "Of course, I care about her." Robert retorted. "I'm sure you do. Well don't bother me I have urgent business to take care of." Theodore said about to disconnect the call. "Theodore, you would not hang up on me without telling me where Karina is." Robert yelled. "Or what?" Theodore scoff
Albert arrived home and he saw Robert in the living room making a phone call, and even smiling Albert couldn't help but feel disgusted. His daughter was missing and here he was calling some chick?"Dad where's mom?" Albert asked loudly startling Robert. "Oh, she isn't home yet." Robert managed to say. "Well where is she?" Albert asked. "I'm not sure son, I'm sure she would turn up soon." Robert said going up the stairs. Albert took his phone from his pants pocket and dialed Dalia's number, but she was on another call. Albert decided to wait he went up the stairs to freshen up, Dalia would surely call when she's done with whomever it is she was talking to. "Dad I have a request to make." "What is it?" Charles asked. "I want my friends to be working with me at the company." Theodore said. "Okay, as long as they are worthy of the position you want to place them. And they better have something to offer. Else I'll fire them myself." Charles said. "I understand and they're really
~ Six Years Later ~ The estate was alive with the hum of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Golden lights twinkled against the dark sky, and the melodic strains of a live orchestra filled the air. Theodore stood at the entrance, greeting guests with Janelle by his side, her smile as radiant as the diamond necklace she wore."Theodore, my man!" Jasper exclaimed, clasping his best friend’s shoulder. "Look at you. Hosting a party like this it’s like something out of a movie." Jasper said.Theodore chuckled. "It’s been a long time coming. But tonight isn't just about me. It’s about all of us." Theodore said. "You’ve earned it, Theo." Ivan added, shaking his hand firmly. "Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise." "Says the guy who eloped with his girlfriend. Got married to her and came back with their first child." Jasper glared. "Well what can I say." Ivan said. From the corner of his eye, Theodore spotted Nathalie and Miles walking in, hand in hand. Nathalie gave a
Leo grew up in a household that was warm and loving, until his father walked out. His mother, a kind but fragile woman, struggled to make ends meet. They faced hardships together, scraping by day by day. Despite their struggles, Leo’s mother always encouraged him to be kind, to work hard, and to never give up on the good in people.But life was cruel. His mother passed away when he was barely out of his teens, leaving him orphaned and lost. Those dark times forged Leo into a man of grit and determination. He vowed to never be the kind of person who abandoned those he loved.When the Wyatts entered his life, they gave him a purpose. Charles Wyatt saw potential in the young man and offered him a chance to rebuild his life. Leo trained hard, proving his loyalty time and again, becoming one of the most trusted members of the Wyatt family. For Leo, the Wyatts weren't just employers; they were his family.Years later, Leo met Becky. She was strong, independent, and doing her best to provide
A year after Theodore and Janelle’s joyous wedding and the arrival of their triplets, Karina found herself reflecting on her own life. Her fashion company, K.B., had skyrocketed in popularity, and her latest brand was garnering critical acclaim. She had poured her heart into her career, but as she watched her brother thrive as a husband and father, a small longing began to grow in her heart.One evening, after a long day at work, Derrick surprised her with a quiet dinner at their favorite restaurant."You’ve been working so hard." Derrick said, pouring her a glass of wine. "I admire that about you, Karina. But don’t you think it’s time we talked about... us?" Derrick asked. Karina paused, looking up at him. "What do you mean?" Derrick smiled, taking her hand. "I love you, Karina. I’ve loved you since the day we met. I want us to start our own chapter. Settle down. Build something together." Derrick said. "Of course, I don't want to rush you I need you to think about it." Derrick
Leo found himself visiting Becky and Belle more frequently. While his duties as Theodore’s bodyguard remained a top priority, he carved out time to nurture this new connection. Becky was hesitant at first, unsure of how deeply she wanted Leo involved in her and Belle’s lives, but Leo’s genuine care and persistence began to break down her reservations.One sunny afternoon, Leo invited Becky and Belle to a nearby park. It was a rare day off for him, and he wanted to spend it with them.Belle was ecstatic, running ahead to the playground while Leo and Becky strolled behind her."She’s got so much energy." Leo remarked with a smile, watching Belle climb onto the swings."She always does." Becky replied, laughing. Then, more seriously, she added."You don’t have to do this, you know. Spending time with us. We’re fine on our own. We're not really your family you know." Leo stopped walking and turned to face her."I’m not doing this because I have to, Becky. I’m doing it because I want to.
Theodore Wyatt stood at the altar, his hands clasped tightly in front of him, the faintest sheen of nervous energy radiating from his otherwise calm demeanor. Today was the day he would marry Janelle, the woman who had transformed his life in ways he never imagined. Around him, the grand but understated chapel glowed with soft sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows, illuminating the tasteful floral arrangements of white lilies and blush roses.He glanced briefly at the first row, where their three children and their nanny sat. A son and two daughters. Fatherhood had come unexpectedly, but he wouldn't trade it for anything. It wasn't just that he loved Janelle with all his heart; it was the family they’d built together that gave his life its deepest meaning."You ready for this, Theo?" Jasper whispered from his side, smirking as he adjusted his tie. As Theodore’s best man, Jasper had spent the morning both calming Theodore’s nerves and cracking jokes at his expense."More tha
Meanwhile, The night was alive with soft music, sparkling lights, and laughter as Janelle celebrated her bachelorette party. Unlike Theodore’s slightly chaotic bachelor bash, Janelle’s evening was elegant and charming just like her. Held in a private room at a chic rooftop restaurant, the gathering was intimate, attended by her closest friends and, of course, Karina, Theodore’s mischievous little sister, who had taken it upon herself to ensure the night wasn't too serious."Oh my gosh, Janelle, this place is perfect." Chloe said, twirling her cocktail glass and admiring the skyline. "You really know how to keep it classy." "I didn't plan this!" Janelle laughed, motioning toward Karina. "This was all her doing. And her brother's." Karina beamed, raising her glass of sparkling water. "What can I say? I have a gift for aesthetics." She turned to Mary with a wink. "And a gift for causing just the right amount of trouble.""Uh-oh." Mary said, laughing. "What did you do?" She asked.
The private lounge buzzed with energy as Theodore Wyatt and his closest friends celebrated his bachelor party. The room, a sophisticated mix of dark leather and ambient lighting, was alive with laughter, banter, and just the right amount of mischief. Jasper and Kyle Theodore’s self-proclaimed “partners in crime” had commandeered the night’s agenda, ensuring there wouldn't ’t be a dull moment. Meanwhile, Ivan and Derrick played the role of slightly more responsible spectators, though they were just as invested in making the night memorable."Alright, Theo." Jasper said, sprawling in his chair and twirling a half-empty glass of whiskey. His grin was pure mischief. "This is it, man. Your last night of freedom. Any regrets?" Theodore raised an eyebrow, smirking as he sipped his drink. "Regrets? You sound like I’m walking into a life sentence." Kyle leaned forward, pointing dramatically at Theodore. "Because you are. No more late nights out with the boys, no more spontaneous road trip
Theodore could barely contain his excitement as the days passed. He and Janelle were on the brink of welcoming their first child or so they thought. What Janelle didn't ’t know was that Theodore was meticulously planning their wedding behind the scenes. He wanted the event to be perfect, yet stress-free for Janelle, knowing how much her health and the baby's safety meant to her."You’re glowing." Theodore whispered one evening, wrapping an arm around her as they sat on the couch.Janelle smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "I’m just happy. Everything feels so perfect right now. We've prepared the everything to welcome our baby." Janelle said. Theodore kissed her forehead, hiding his grin. If only she knew what he had in store."But of course, we need to make our baby happy. And I want us to be happy as well." On a crisp autumn morning, Janelle went into labor earlier than expected. Theodore was by her side throughout, holding her hand and reassuring her as the hours passed.F
Leo stood before Theodore in the study, his usual stoic demeanor slightly softened. "Sir, I’d like to request a day off." he said, his voice calm but carrying a note of urgency.Theodore arched a brow, intrigued. Leo rarely asked for time off unless it was absolutely necessary. "A day off? That’s not like you, Leo. What’s the occasion?" Theodore asked casually. Leo hesitated, then replied. "I want to visit my family. It’s been a while, and I need to check in on them." Theodore studied him for a moment. Something about Leo’s tone felt off, but Theodore decided not to push. "Alright, you’ve earned it. Take the day.""Thank you, sir." Leo said, bowing slightly before turning to leave.As soon as Leo exited, Theodore leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. Leo wasn't the type to lie outright, but there was something peculiar about his request. Theodore picked up his phone and made a quick call to one of his trusted men."Follow him." Theodore instructed. "I want to know where he