Chapter - 189"Your Princess?"'Is she his daughter? But he does not look old enough. Step-daughter?'"D... Daughter?" Jessica hesitatingly asked, trying to confirm her doubt. When did it happen?"Well, more or less like a daughter," Alex beckoned, "I really wish I had a daughter like Annie. Cuteness overloaded. Don't you want this cute bundle of joy as your daughter?" Alex asked Jessica in return."So you consider her as your daughter?" Jessica finally had a breath of relief, "She indeed makes you want to have a daughter like her.""But she is the only lucky one," Alex turned his face towards Claire and introduced her to Jessica, "This is Doctor Claire, Annie's mother.""Hello, I am Jessica, Alex's partner," Jessica introduced herself."Business partner," Alex hurriedly corrected Jessica as the two ladies shook hands."Who wants to be anything else with you?" Jessica quickly berated Alex, 'What? Am I an embarrassment that he wants to clarify even that?' While Jessica looked cool on t
Chapter - 190"Ladies and Gentlemen. I welcome you all to the seventh Eleanor city auction by the Wilson family. And I am your host for the evening, Curtis Williams,"After the greetings were done following the arrival of Frank Wilson, the main attraction of the evening finally began. Hardly anyone was here to know about the recent collaboration between Theation and a small company like 'AR'.The main purpose of their visit was this auction. For they can bid on anything. From jewellery, antiques and artefacts to upcoming projects like building a road, bridge or a town. Everything was up for grabs. All you need are heavy pockets."Many of you are not new to this auction, but for those attending the auction for the first time, let me brief you all on the rules," the host continued."First. Every one of you will receive a pedal to bid. So please, no shouting and arguing.""Second. Every raise in the bid below one million dollars will be of fifty thousand dollars. Below ten million dollar
Chapter - 191"Will you buy it for mommy?" Claire suddenly said. But after she spoke, Claire thought she may have taken it a bit far."What would mommy want me to buy for her?" Alex smirked, "Huh... Mommy? Tell na, mommy...""... Annie's mommy is my mommy. You are okay with that, Annie, right?" Alex asked Annie for the final approval.Alex thought Annie might only shake her head and refuse the idea. After all, who would want to share their parents with someone else? But Annie's reaction to Alex's proposal was much more than normal. She jumped out of Alex's lap and looked straight at him in anger. She did not even blink. This was the first time Alex had seen her so seriously.Alex, in this moment of confusion, tried to look at Claire, but just as his gaze was about to meet Claire's, Annie held his chin and made Alex look her way. She then placed her finger over his chest before putting it on herself.'You belong to no one but me,' It was the sense of proclamation Alex got from the gest
Chapter - 192"Look who is here? Isn't it our dear friend?" Just when Alex was waiting for the elevator, he heard someone say it. Out of curiosity, he looked back and saw a few familiar faces. Someone he met briefly but never thought of crossing paths with again."What's with that look on your face? Don't you remember us? Your dear friends?" The man leading that group took a step forward and asked as he adjusted Alex's coat."I thought we got quite close that time," The man said, " But I have to say, it was quite disheartening when you did not call.""I am sorry, but I am in quite a hurry," Alex expressed his regret, "Can we do this some other time?""Bastard... Do you even know who is standing in front of you?" This time, it was a minion from the gang between the man who spoke, "You dare shove him off?""I don't," Alex shook his head, "But if he is some big shot, shouldn't he be there in that auction buying something? Instead of bugging a nobody like me or going to a company for a jo
Chapter - 193"How did it happen?" Alex sat in front of Karen and asked.When he got to the hospital, Karen was still unconscious. So he decided to talk with the doctor in the meantime.There was nothing to worry about, actually. From what doctors told Alex, Karen had a fracture in her ankle and forearm. They were the only big injuries she had. Other than that, there were also a few scrapes which were nothing serious. As for why Karen was still unconscious, it was most likely due to the concussion she suffered during the fall. But the doctors had checked it, and it was nothing serious."She should be awake in half an hour or so" That was what the doctor told Alex.As for how she ended up in the ER, it was most likely that Karen, while walking down the stairs, slipped on her heels and tumbled down the stairs. They did not know for sure, but from what the neighbours told the first responders. And since they did not find any evidence of assault, it was safe to assume that it was most lik
Chapter - 194 "How did it happen?" Alex suddenly asked after the nurse left. "..." Instead of answering Alex, Karen played with her fingers as she tried not to look at Alex. "Was it really an accident?" Alex asked again, "Are you sure nobody had any part in it? Your husband?" "Can we not talk about him," Karen straightened her back and looked at Alex at the mention of her husband. "..." Alex did not reply. He continued to stare at Karen in silence which was stifling for Karen. "I mean... You know how things are between us. It is awkward to keep talking about him with you," Karen cleared her throat and tried to explain. "Sure..." After looking at Karen for some time, Alex agreed, "I have called Jessica. She should be here soon." "Why did you call her? She must already be busy managing the party. I am alright. Look..." Karen flung her arms around and tried to show that she was okay. "Don't be a kid... I have to leave, so there should be someone to look after you," Alex stood up
Chapter - 195 "Umm..." A man painfully groaned as he slowly regained consciousness. He felt groggy, and disoriented. "Ugh... Why is it so dark? Aahh... Where am I?" The man tried to look around, but it was all dark. The man tried to move, but he realised that he was tied to the chair. And there was a cloth covering his face. Panic set in as the man realized that he was in trouble. How did he get here? The man could not remember how he had ended up in this mess. The silence was overwhelming, and the only thing he could hear was his own rapid breathing. "Help! Help me!" The man shouted, his voice echoing off the walls of the building. But there was no response, and the man began to feel even more scared. He tried to wriggle free, but the ropes were too tight. It was a dark, abandoned building out in nowhere, with not a single soul to be seen in miles. But the man did not know as he continued to struggle. He struggled for what seemed like an eternity to him with no luck. He was about
Chapter - 196"Can you get me?""Umm... I think I am somewhere outside the city. Just track my phone.""And yes... Bring me a shirt as well."~ ~ ~ ~ ~Out in the boonies, Alex stood under a tree, looking at his watch restlessly."What is taking him so long?" It had been more than thirty minutes since he called Damien, but this lazy slob was nowhere to be seen. But just as he was about to call him again, Alex saw a light beaming at him from far away and coming in close.Soon, the light got brighter and brighter before a motorcycle stopped in front of him."What took you so long?" Alex could not help but throw his arms."Don't complain to me. How do you think I got here? I had to tell so many lies because of you." Damien threw a bag at Alex and said, "And I am sure Mom is going to grill us even more when we reach home.""I am sure you can handle that. I have faith in you," Alex hurriedly unbuttoned his shirt and, turning his face away from the road, changed into a new one. It was alrea