“Gerald.” Mr Zhao began with a tone that was vastly different from before, shocking even Gerald. “I….I apologize for my earlier harshness, I didn't realize who you were, I owe you a debt of gratitude for what you did for my father. Forgive me, let's not end things on such a sour note. I was hasty in my judgement.”As if to prove his point, Mr Zhao sucked in another deep breath and right before the shock gazes of everyone, he bowed. “What!” Gerald was taken aback by the sudden change in Mr Zhao's attitude. Just moments ago, the man was ready to throw him out without a second thought, and now, after learning about how he saved his father, he was ready to make amends? The shift was so quick, it made Gerald's dizzy.“Uh…” For a second, Gerald didn't know what to say, but he managed to just simply say. “Thank you for your kind words.” The respect he had hoped for didn't feel as genuine as he would have liked but this was a nice start.“Why don't we come inside?” Mr Zhao asked as he notic
Gerald followed Grace's parents into the lavish living room, still recovering from the drastic shift in Mr. Zhao's demeanor. He glanced at Grace with a raised eyebrow, and she offered him a reassuring smile, though he could tell that she was as nervous as he was.They settled onto the soft plush couches, and after a brief moment of awkward silence, Mr. Zhao cleared his throat, his stern expression softening—a rare sight to see.“Gerald, I want to apologize again for my earlier behavior. It was unbecoming. I hope you can understand a father's concern for his daughter,” Mr. Zhao said, though Gerald couldn't tell whether it was a genuine apology.“I understand, Mr. Zhao. A parent's concern is natural. I just want you to know that I would never do anything to harm Grace. She is... very important to me,” Gerald nodded and said with a straight face.Grace’s face heated up like a bright tomato, and she felt giddy inside. Madam Zhao, who had been observing Gerald, cleared her throat to speak
Grace and Gerald sat together in a comforting silence for a few minutes, enjoying the moment before Grace took a deep breath and stood up.“It's getting late. We should get some rest; it's going to be a long day tomorrow,” she said to Gerald, flashing a small smile.“Alright then,” Gerald stretched his arms and rose to his feet. “Where should I sleep?” he asked as he glanced around.Grace hesitated for a moment as her mind raced, but eventually, she sucked in a deep breath. “You'll sleep in my room.”“Heh?” Gerald blinked, his thought process slowing down. “Your room?” he repeated, as if unsure of what she said the first time.“Yes,” Grace nodded with a serious expression. “If we're going to present a united front to my family, it needs to start now. The family needs to see you as more than my boyfriend, so... I thought this could solidify our relationship and show them that we stand together.”“Solidify?” A devious smirk spread across Gerald's face. “What exactly do you mean by that?
“Calm down,” Grace pleaded with him and he sighed, taking a step back and letting her take control of the situation. “Uncle, that was unnecessary” She turned to face her uncle, doing her best to calm the rage simmering in her chest. “Gerald is my guest, and he deserves to be treated with respect.” “Respect?” Her uncle's eyes narrowed as he looked at her, “You’re defending him? it ‘s quite amusing that you’re so eager to protect him with what’s at stake here.”“What do you mean?” Grace’s eyebrows creased together as she asked.“You don't know?” A small chuckle escaped his lips. “Tell me something dear niece, what will you do if you decide to marry this man? Surely you know that marrying outside the family would mean giving up your position as CEO. You wouldn't be a part of this family anymore.”His words were like a bucket of cold water that splashed on Grace’s face. Her mind raced as her uncle's words echoed in her mind but she calmed down and stood her ground.“Marrying Gerald wo
Grace held her breath as the phone continued to ring. After a few minutes, the call finally connected and her grandfather's familiar voice came through the speaker.“Grace, my dear? How are you?” he asked with that caring voice that she always loved.“Grandfather, I..I need to talk to you.” She said, fighting to keep her voice steady.There was a brief pause on the other line before he spoke again. “Of course, tell me what's troubling you.”Grace took a deep breath and glanced at Gerald, who nodded at her in encouragement. “Grandfather.* Grace began, trying to steady her emotions but she broke down trembling as tears slipped down her cheeks. “I…I’m in over my head right now. Uncle Zhang and Chang, they are threatening to take everything. He says that he believes that you are not well and he will use every means necessary to take over the company. I don't know what to do. I'm losing my mind.”A long pause followed. Grace eagerly awaited her grandfather's response but there was nothi
“How could they be one step ahead of me?” Grace clenched her fists as the reality of the situation dawned on her. She had to do something quickly, or she would lose heavily in this business war. She stepped out of the car with Gerald following closely after her. They approached the entrance, only to be stopped by a guard. “Miss Zhao, I’m sorry, but Mr. Chen isn't expecting you,” the guard said as he blocked their path. “It's really urgent; I need to see Mr. Chen now!” Grace's frustration was through the roof as she spoke through gritted teeth. “Sorry.” The guard shook his head. “I can't let you in without his permission.” “But why can't…” Before Grace could continue her argument, Gerald's strong arm grabbed her shoulder, stopping her from arguing further. He gazed at the guard with such authority that the guard started to feel very nervous. “Call Mr. Chen. Tell him that Gerald is here.”
Gerald's outburst silenced everyone for at least a moment. All eyes turned on him—some surprised, some irritated, some indifferent. Grace looked at him with gritted teeth, wishing he'd stop this tomfoolery, but Gerald refused to back down.“I’m not here to see you, Liu,” Gerald pointed at him. “I’m here to see your father, Mr. Chen. I treated him years ago, so he should know me. I have something important to discuss with him.”“My father?” Liu raised an eyebrow in contempt. “You think you can just walk in here and demand to see him because you claim to know him? Preposterous! Do you take me for a fool?”“It’s the truth,” Gerald stepped forward. “I treated him once and we had a good relationship, if you could just…”“Enough!” Grace interrupted with a pained look on her face. “Gerald, stop this at once.You’re making things worse.”“You have to trust me.” Gerald turned to her in desperation. “I didn’t know his son would be here. But I do kno
Before Gerald could utter a word, Liu, Zhang, and Chang rushed to meet Mr. Chen.“Father!” Liu greeted with a small bow. Zhang and Chang followed suit, eager smiles on their faces.“Mr. Chen, it's an honor to see you again,” Zhang said smoothly, extending his hand for a shake. “We were just discussing some important matters with Liu regarding our families' future collaboration.”Mr. Chen gave a polite smile as he shook hands with both Zhang and Chang. “I appreciate your visit. It's always a pleasure to see the Zhao family.”Zhang and Chang exchanged secret glances, interpreting this as a sign that Mr. Chen favored them.“However, I’m afraid I can't entertain guests today. I'm feeling very tired, and I would like to get some sleep,” Mr. Chen said in a tone that brooked no argument.“But don't worry,” Mr. Chen continued, a reassuring smile stretching across his lips. “Liu will relay everything you've discussed to me. I'll make sure to send a message with my response soon.”Zhang and Cha
Just to clear up his suspicions, he had her followed and most times she was always with Brian. Really? The silent ones could be something else.He hummed and scratched a brow, walked to his closet and brought a chest which he handed to her while his gaze stared at the lamp on the desk which was blinking. She observed him, oh goodness, he looked feeble in that manner. The thought of me betraying him was wild yet he couldn't do anything to her.Rather watch over her like a guardian who respects his ward opinions about life. She just wished the ground would open and swallow her up but nothing of such was happening."It high time you take what belongs to you"His voice eluded her throbbing head, she gaze at the chest and swallowed wondering if it was a bomb or something that would cause her death. Didn't he say that he would respect her decisions but why was he bent on trying to convince to stop her actions.He claims she would hurt a lot of people if she chose to go with Brian. Wel
"if its based on love" he responded slowly.He shuddered on hearing the sound of cutleries dangles. This dinner made him so unrest that one could notice that.She prayed hard for it to come to an end but it wasn't."Most times, it's best to forget about the past and hold on to the present because you never tell whose the best" lucy beckoned with a loud laughter. Only the spectators join her but the three stared. He felt their eyes were communicating to each other and he was guilty for cheating over grace.Even though he got married based on terms, he still needed to stay faithful until the contract ends. For Brian, his fiancee would be really mad at him as he knew they barely started dating and calling it off would be crazy as she had wished for this all her life."But what if one's heart wants to stay with the past? Is it an obsession?" Brian asked and his heart was high up waiting for who would give an answer. It was going to be confusing for Anastasia and mother but she presu
Just when she entered, she glanced at her and let out a weary smile. Seriously, it was a smile of pain and she had tons of questions to ask. Edward left her and rushed at asking if she was hurt or anything. She didn't give him a reply rather she pulled him gently outside the ward at once and when she was sure that there was no passerbys.She instantly began her questions."Tell me about Anastasia, what's injected in her?".Edward lowered his head and sighed probably thinking of an answer that would suit her question."It's nanobots to keep preserve her life, she was almost dead and that was the only thing she could think of" he began giving a whole narration about Anastasia. While they were soaked in the conversation, a young boy who was passing by was speaking with someone."It's all over the news, the city is under attack!" He wailed racing away. Edward and her glanced at each other and hastily ran into Anastasia's room. She was staring at the window, backing her, Edward drew c
The doctor over here had stood up and stride towards her.He got bruised on the bridge of his nose all thanks to her. "She's a spy...kill her!" He ordered and she coughed breathing loud. She wasn't going to let anything wrong happen to Anastasia. She closed her eyes struggling from the hold of this man but couldn't as only silent tears flowed from them.But then, the door slide open and the light that shone on her face from outside made her picture the reflection of a man who raised in to save her perhaps."Gerald?" She muttered but it wasn't him, it was Brian! What? How did he get here? And he looked injuried at that too. She evaluated that he must have caused commotion outside before getting access inside here. The man who held her one arm would have curse her badly because she used the other arm to grab his crotch hard that he let out a wince. No offense though but that was the only soft spot she could think of since he look like one made of iron except there. He unhanded m
Grace raced along with the nurses who took Anastasia to the ICU.They wouldn't let her in so she had to stand wait hoping and praying in silence. She didn't call Edward just not to distract him, while in that panicking state.She suddenly felt her heart ache as though someone was calling out to her for help and she was turning a deaf ear to that feeling."Brian?" She suddenly muttered as tears flowed from her eyes.She couldn't control them which made her perplexed. Furthermore, she tried not to freak out because it might turn out that she was insane over someone who she disliked."Is she dead?" A voice asked and she knew it was her grandma. Seriously does she wish Anastasia dead?"She has been so unhealthy ever since you showed up!" She pressed on and she glared at her."Rather than ranting, why not Join faith together?" She mused putting an end to her negative words as she hand over an hankie to wipe my face because she was looking pathetic.She suddenly sobbed in silence and s
Sadly enough, she couldn't go to pick her up because another official call came in.She had to tell a chauffeur to pick her up. It was such a relief that she didn't lose her princess due to carelessness. She left there for the office with a light heart, she gain prestige over here as she was accorded with respects as a boss. Seems one of her dreams came through and she did her best to be a friendly boss.There was no good in being harsh but as she would always say, those who took her kindness for granted has to face the consequences. Anastasia called her back that she had gotten home.She apologized for not being mindful and that she would get home soon to make up for leaving her behind. She smiled when she ought to smile, spoke when she ought to speak and these officials were impressed.Finally, she got the big deal seems her husband has no choice than to be proud of her. Immediately she was done, she hurried back home to meet with Anastasia.There she was always standing by the
Brian walked gently towards his car which was parked outside waiting patiently for him to get in. He gave a fake smile at whom he found inside and she returned his gestures. The chauffeur drove them to the airport and they got there thirty minutes before the flight takes off. It was a business trip along with his secretary lucy and planned to be back within a month even before it was over. They got to their destination safely and Lucy handled everything properly while they got off the plane. He wasn't ready to address anyone that day and Lucy had to inform those who wishes to see him that he was unavailable for that moment. It was late at night and he intended to take a walk around this place where he was going to stay for a while. He had an earpod on listening to music that could soothe his mood. As he strolled, he took pictures of captivating features in this place. His eyes met a girl who seemed stranded by the bridge side, she was wincing and shivering in the cold. Perhap
He turned off the phone immediately and warned Brian to stay off his family as he got informed that his wife was involved in an accident."You made a wrong choice by messing with those that were dear to me" Brian said as Felix narrowed a brow at this man right in front of him who always does as he threaten.He couldn't say a word back at Brian as he hurriedly rushed out while his brother glared at the table with an evil intention written all over his face.It rained heavily as he could be found drained in the rain, every effort to get in touch with those whom he lost in the fire outbreak proved abortive as deep in his heart.He didn't want to believe that they were consumed in the fire, he had a lot of memories attached to those people mostly the woman who stole his heart.His life was a mess as he had lost the one whom he tried to protect. He suddenly felt a shield covering him from the rain and when he lifted his head. Brian found someone holding an umbrella over his head and he s
She studied her son, the brief smile that escaped his lips.When she mentioned Julie's name, which made her heart flutter. All she wants this time is to hear Brian call her mother again."How about we pay her a visit tomorrow?" She suggested, he grimaced at her and sighed, and she knew that was a yes. His father demanded to see him privately, and he yielded to his demand. The old man laid on the bed exhausted for the day as the party was getting dismissed gradually. He smiled immediately he saw Brian and got relieved that at least he was forgiven."No one is giving me the answers I need…why did you send me back?". His scoffed and rose from the bed while beckoning on Brian to pick a file which laid on the desk."Someone talked some sense into me" he confessed sad at heart and Brian smirked at him while picking up the file lazily."Transfer of property?" Brian read and his father nodded."I don't need anything that is yours…""I knew you would say that, but son you're the only one I