The Marlow family soon found themselves ensnared in a web of troubles and scandals. It was a relentless barrage of bad news, each report more distressing and frustrating than the last. Jackson Marlow sat at his desk, his head in his hands, as one of his subordinates entered the room, his face pale with fear.“Sir, the authorities have just frozen our overseas accounts. They’re investigating money laundering allegations,” the subordinate stammered.Jackson’s fist slammed onto the desk, his face contorted with rage. “How is this happening? How can everything be falling apart so quickly?”Brock burst into the room, his expression mirroring his father’s frustration. “Dad, the media is all over us. They’re saying we’re involved in illegal arms trading now! This is insane!”Jackson took a deep breath, trying to calm his mounting anger. “We need to find out who’s behind this. Someone is orchestrating this chaos.”Another subordinate entered, hesitating before speaking. “Sir, the labor depart
Gabriel stepped through the front door, instantly noticing the unusual stillness of the house. He guessed that Jessie must have gone to bed early. A faint, pleasant scent wafted through the air as he made his way to the bedroom. Opening the door, he was greeted by a romantic setting—candles casting a soft glow, rose petals scattered on the bed, and a bottle of wine chilling nearby.He was still taking in the scene when Camella emerged from behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Welcome home, Gabriel,” she whispered seductively, gently slipping his jacket off his shoulders.“Camella,” Gabriel said, turning to face her, a look of pleasant surprise on his face. “You’ve never done anything like this before.”She smiled, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight. “I wanted to do something special for you. You’ve been working so hard and doing so much for us. Tonight, I want to make it up to you.”Gabriel’s heart swelled with gratitude and love. “You didn’t have to do all this. Just
However, Cole’s mother, Mrs. Lawson, who has been quiet all this while, upon learning that Gabriel had no proper job, boasted about her son being accepted into Greenovation Gardens with a salary exceeding $10,000.She spoke, her voice tinged with an air of superiority. "Well, Gabriel, it's commendable that you've been supporting your family, but Cole here has just been accepted into Greenovation Gardens with a starting salary of over $10,000."Mr. Lawson interjected quickly, sensing the tension in the room. "Dear, that's enough. Gabriel's achievements are different, and he has his own successes."Gabriel remained composed, though he felt a pang of discomfort at the comparison. "Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. I'm proud of Cole's accomplishments. Greenovation Gardens is a prestigious company."Cole shifted uncomfortably, sensing his mother's attempt to showcase his achievements at Gabriel's expense. "I'm sorry, Gabriel. My mom gets carried away sometimes."Gabriel smiled warmly at Cole, trying
Despite Aliyah's little interference, Mrs. Lawson didn't stop talking highly of her son and in no time, her husband and Cole joined her in showing off their achievement, including Cole's educational success. Seeing them keep showing off, Aliyah exchanged a glance with her father, Mikelson, both slightly taken aback by the unabashed display of pride from Mrs. Lawson and Cole. Despite the tension brewing, Mikelson maintained his composure, but Aliyah couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration.Aliyah spoke up, her voice tinged with subtle sarcasm. "Wow, Cole, it sounds like you've got everything figured out. It must be nice."Cole grinned, oblivious to the underlying tension. "Yeah, it's been pretty good. Greenovation Gardens has been amazing for me."Mikelson cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation into more neutral territory. "That's great to hear, Cole. Your educational success story is incredible. "Mrs. Lawson jumped in eagerly, continuing to sing Cole's praises. "
Mrs. Lawson, feeling Gabriel was just playing and judging by Aliyah's expression, they thought she didn't know what she was saying. So Cole tried to assert that they possibly are not looking to buy such an expensive razor because they don't know about it.Aliyah was about to talk but Gabriel stopped her gently.Mrs. Lawson glanced at Gabriel with a hint of skepticism, clearly not expecting such a knowledgeable response about luxury razors."Imperium razors are quite exquisite," Gabriel explained calmly, his voice carrying a hint of authority. "They're known for their craftsmanship and precision engineering. The brand prides itself on using the finest materials and achieving unparalleled shaving experiences."Cole, attempting to recover from the unexpected turn of conversation, chimed in with a forced chuckle. "Wow, Gabriel, you sure know your razors."Mrs. Lawson nodded slowly, trying to hide her surprise. "Yes, indeed. It's impressive to see someone so well-versed in... grooming."Al
Cole and his family exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence visibly shaken. Mr. Lawson, however, couldn't suppress his curiosity. "Aliyah, may I see that razor again?"Aliyah paused, handing it over with a polite smile. "Of course, Mr. Lawson."Mr. Lawson scrutinized the razor, noting down the model. Pulling out his phone, he searched for the price online. His eyes widened as he confirmed its value. "Well, I'll be damned. It really is that much."Gabriel, sensing the shift in the room, spoke up gently. "You had doubts, didn't you, Mr. Lawson?"Mr. Lawson nodded, still staring at the screen. "I must admit, I did."Mrs. Lawson, trying to salvage the situation, quickly interjected. "You know, there are a lot of fakes out there. It’s hard to tell sometimes."Cole, eager to support his mother, added, "Yeah, you never know with these things. Could be a knockoff."Aliyah, returning the razor to its place, responded firmly. "This isn't a knockoff. It's genuine, and we only invest in qualit
Cole’s parents exchanged astonished glances. Mr. Lawson, attempting to regain composure, remarked, "Well, that's quite impressive, Gabriel. Not many can claim such achievements without making a fuss about it."Aliyah seized the moment to further praise Gabriel. "Gabriel’s support has been a blessing for our family. His humility is something we all admire."Cole, feeling the weight of his parents’ stunned silence, tried to steer the conversation back to safer ground. "That’s really admirable, Gabriel. I guess we all have our own ways of contributing."Gabriel nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "True, Cole. It’s not about how loudly you proclaim your success, but how effectively you use it to help others."Mrs. Lawson, finally seeing the depth of Gabriel’s character, softened her tone. "It seems we’ve underestimated you, Gabriel. It’s clear you’re a man of substance."Mikelson, still basking in his pride, added, "Gabriel’s not just a son-in-law to me; he’s like a son. His action
Everyone turned their heads toward the door, the unexpected visitor offering a timely distraction from the escalating conversation.The interruption gave Mikelson a moment to breathe, and he silently hoped that whoever was at the door would bring a more pleasant turn to the evening.Aliyah offered to check who was at the door, but Mikelson stopped her. “Don't worry, daughter. I will get it," he said, heading to the door.Seizing the moment, Aliyah turned to Cole's parents. "You know, stability is important, but so is recognizing the value in different paths to success. Gabriel's achievements, however unconventional, have been nothing short of remarkable."Mrs. Lawson frowned. "It is just that stability in a career is crucial. Luck can be fleeting."Aliyah smiled, her tone firm but polite. "True, Mrs. Lawson, but Gabriel's success isn't just luck. It is hard work and intelligence. He has been a great support to our family."Cole, feeling the need to assert himself, chimed in. "I still