Edward felt a jolt of shock ripple through his body as Viktor uttered the name. Stevan Petrovich. The very man he was supposed to eliminate. The weight of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks, threatening to knock him off balance. How could this be happening? How could fate twist its cruel hand in such a way?Though unfamiliar with Eloise and her daughter, Ivy, Edward could not ignore the familial bond that tied them together. Questions swirled in his mind, demanding answers. Why would Ivy agree to this engagement? Was it driven by love, or were there hidden motives at play?Edward's confusion persisted, but he understood the gravity of the situation. He could not afford to make rash decisions or let his emotions cloud his judgment. So, he decided to investigate the circumstances surrounding the engagement, whether it was Ivy's decision, or that of the Windsor patriarch. His hands trembled slightly as he ended the call with Viktor, his mind racing with a torrent of thoughts. He
Brenda's mind whirled with a torrent of emotions, each one competing for her attention. Amidst this internal chaos, a pang of concern pierced her heart. It was not because she still harbored any lingering romantic feelings for Luke, but rather a fear of accidentally hurting Edward and creating unnecessary tension between them.As Brenda and Edward stepped into the grand ballroom, the opulence of the surroundings captivated her senses. The venue was a testament to luxury and elegance, adorned with cascading floral arrangements that seemed to defy gravity, and sparkling chandeliers that illuminated the space with a dazzling glow.Amidst the laughter and joyful chatter permeating the air, Brenda's eyes darted around the room, desperately hoping to catch a glimpse of Luke. She was eager to assess the authenticity of the rumors and prepare herself for whatever awaited her.Edward, who noticed Brenda's unease, furrowed his brow and tenderly squeezed her hand. His concern reflected in his ey
Edward's words hung in the air, causing the crowd to collectively catch their breath. They were captivated by Edward's confidence and the depth of his understanding. The initial murmurs of skepticism and amusement transformed into a hushed admiration. Whispers of "Who is this man?" and "What a profound perspective" circulated through the onlookers. Amidst the crowd, Brenda's friend, Carl, who had been silently observing the confrontation from the sidelines, suddenly burst into laughter. His booming laughter echoed through the ballroom, drawing the attention of those nearby. Rosie, Carl's girlfriend, turned to him with a puzzled expression."What's so funny?" Rosie asked, her curiosity piqued by his unexpected reaction.Carl struggled to contain his amusement, wiping away tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes. "Oh, honey, you should have heard what Edward just said. It was brilliant!"Intrigued, Rosie nudged Carl's arm gently. "Tell me! What did he say?"Carl was still hold
Meanwhile, Brenda and Edward were thoroughly enjoying themselves at the reunion event. The vibrant atmosphere of laughter and nostalgia enveloped them as they mingled with Brenda's old friends from high school. Brenda's closest friends from her teenage years eagerly approached her, curiosity gleaming in their eyes.Sarah, a bubbly redhead with an infectious smile, leaned in closer to Brenda and whispered, "Brenda, who is this charming guy you're with? You haven't even told us his name."Brenda glanced at Edward, her eyes sparkling with affection, before turning back to Sarah with a mischievous grin. "Oh, come on, Sarah. Where's the fun in revealing everything? Let's keep a little mystery for now."Lisa, a tall and graceful brunette, chimed in, "But seriously, Brenda, he seems like such a catch. What can you tell us about him?"Brenda's smile widened as she looked at Edward, their connection palpable. "Well, he's intelligent, charismatic, and has a great sense of humor. And most import
Edward was taken aback by the unexpected news. His brows furrowed as he processed the information. A mix of emotions washed over him—surprise, concern, and a hint of gratitude towards Josh for alerting him to the danger.However, Edward's initial surprise was quickly masked by a composed demeanor, and a cold smile played across his lips. He appreciated Josh's refusal to aid Luke Brown and immediately recognized the importance of having trustworthy allies, especially in times of crisis. In this treacherous world, alliances held immense value, so he decided to extend a helping hand to Josh, knowing that mutual support could prove invaluable in times of uncertainty."Thank you, Josh," Edward replied, his voice steady and measured. "It seems I owe you my gratitude once again. So I'd like to offer you my assistance in return. If there's anything you need, be it financial aid or support in your endeavors, consider it done."Josh's voice crackled with surprise and delight. "Thank you, Mr. Wi
Adele's heart ached with an unsettling mix of curiosity and unease as she witnessed the subtle changes in Brenda's demeanor. There was a softness in her eyes, a delicate tilt to her smile whenever she mentioned Edward's name. Adele could not help but wonder if there was something more brewing beneath the surface, a clandestine connection that had eluded her until now.But even as her suspicions gnawed at her, Adele refused to surrender to them completely. She clung to the belief that Edward, the distinguished and honorable man she had come to admire, would never succumb to the forbidden allure of a romantic entanglement with his secretary. They were both professionals, bound by the confines of their respective roles, and Adele reminded herself that it was only natural for them to share a close working relationship.As they made their way to Edward's office, each step resonated with a hidden tension. Adele's heart raced, and her palms moistened with a mix of anticipation and apprehensi
Adele's eyes flickered with annoyance as she interpreted Brenda's cautionary words as an attempt to protect her own position. In Adele's mind, Brenda should not have chimed in with her opinion. After all, this was a discussion between her and her boss, and Brenda should have known better than to interject.Adele's suspicions suddenly intensified, fueled by her growing attraction towards Edward and her observations of his interactions with Brenda. She could not help but wonder if there was something more between them, hidden behind their professional facade. Adele found herself scrutinizing Brenda's every move, convinced that she must be teasing Edward with her alluring looks and slim figure.With a sly smile playing on her lips, Adele decided to respond to Brenda's cautious comment with a cleverly ambiguous remark. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs and fixing her gaze on Brenda."Well, Brenda," Adele began, her voice dripping with subtle sarcasm, "I understand your conce
Adele's face flushed with a mix of frustration and jealousy as Edward's words resonated with Brenda. She couldn't understand what Edward saw in Brenda, what made her so special that he was willing to stand up against his own prestigious family for her.Adele's mind raced with thoughts and doubts. Was Brenda more intelligent, more captivating, or more beautiful than her? Adele couldn't help but compare herself to Brenda, analyzing every aspect of their personalities and physical appearances. She knew deep down that jealousy was an unbecoming trait, but she couldn't help but feel it gnawing at her insides.Meanwhile, Brenda, though hurt by Adele's initial comment, tried to rise above the situation. Despite her own insecurities, she recognized the importance of supporting Adele through her own struggles. She understood the complexity of emotions Adele must be experiencing, as she herself had faced similar doubts in the past.In an attempt to comfort Adele, Brenda gently placed her hand on