“I was a complete jerk! I insulted him on several occasions. I called him several demeaning names. Yes, I deserve every hate from the public that comes after this.”Every photographer in the room made sure they were recording every moment of the event. Dario and Delilah’s gaze still remained locked as Cooper spoke. Tears still didn't stop dropping from her eyes. By now, her mascara was already running down her cheeks and her eyeliner smudged. “This is me publicly apologizing to Delilah’s ex husband, but before I begin with that, I would like to announce who Drea corporation would be partnering with.”As the Williams awaited his announcement, a palpable sense of shame hung in the air, mingling with the palpitations of their heart, as they grappled with the realization of what their wrongdoings have caused them and will cause them. He paused for a while and continued, “Drea corporation will be partnering with Hans company.”The eyes of every one of the Williams shot wide open. Inclu
“Quiet!!”Cooper shouted, his voice commanding an immediate and complete silence.Cooper then walked to Alicia who was standing still stunned by Lauren and Delilah’s outbursts. “Congratulations to you, Alicia. I look forward to working with you,” Cooper said, gesturing for a handshake.She hesitantly accepted the handshake as it dawned on her now that Drea corporation was really partnering with her company. It’s real!“Thank you! I look forward to working with you, Mr Cooper,” she replied as she returned the handshake. Delilah could only watch quietly from where she was standing. “And if you’re wondering…” Cooper began, retracing his steps back to the stage, “…why Drea corporation will be partnering with Hans company instead, I am only following orders from the Higher authorities.”The higher authorities? ‘Why are the higher authorities granting me this huge undeserving favor?’ Alicia thought. ‘Who are they?’she questioned. She was in a state of confusion trying to figure out why t
She picked the call hoping he was not calling to give her bad news too. Unfortunately, the same thing happened.As she was dropping one call, more kept coming in. Lauren felt like she was going to die as she watched everything she had taken years to build crash bit by bit. She rubbed her forehead to relieve the throbbing pain in her head, as she also ran her fingers through her gray hair. For the first time, the Williams saw fear in the eyes of their mighty grandma. She looked disoriented as she paced back and forth attending to calls and pleading with tears suspended in her eyes.On the other hand, Alicia was getting calls from several top companies wanting to collaborate with her and several top companies offering her projects. As she dropped every call, more kept coming in and it was good news from left and right. Lauren and other members got calls from companies canceling partnerships and pulling out investments while Alicia was in a completely different world from the rest of h
“Ladies and gentlemen, now, we shall begin the most important event of this day!” Cooper exclaimed.“Shall we all rise in reverence to the new emperor of the Persian empire!” he ordered.The new emperor… of the Persian empire??There is now a new emperor??Only a few selected people knew about the existence of a new Persian emperor. In the eyes of the public, no one was yet to take the position as a new emperor ascending the throne had not been announced after the passing of lord Reynolds. The new guests rose to their feet at once because they knew exactly why they were at Southlake grand hall, but the old guests were hesitant. They exchanged shocked glances and whispered to each other as they slowly rose from their seats.Suddenly, very loud thumps of drums echoed from outside the hall followed by trumpets that flared in rhythm. As the thumps and sounds of the trumpet filled the air, in a uniformed motion, a set of six royal guards arranged in two’s marched slowly into the hall wi
The most prominent facial feature of his that was seen first was his piercing and intriguing blue eyes. The guests standing closer to the entrance could see him very clearly before the guests at the front of the hall. Aside the sense of admiration that lit up in their eyes for their new emperor, their brows furrowed at the realization that their emperor looked somewhat familiar.“Wait guys! I think he is the ex husband of the bride! Or am I seeing things??” a guest whispered to other guests on her table. “Oh my goodness! I’m completely sure he is!” another said as her eyes widened in shock and surprise, her hand wrapped around her opened mouth. “This is going to be her biggest regret ever!! The moment she realizes, she will hate herself. I’m in complete shock!”The guests exchanged surprised glances as they pitied the bride; Delilah, in advance.From a distance, Delilah felt a sense of unease as she studied the new emperor. She had a feeling that tugged at her that she knew this
As the guests continued to clap non-stop and remained standing, Dario epressed his gratitude politely. “Thank you, esteemed guests, for your overwhelming applause. You can have your seats, please. There is much to celebrate and I am eager to share this joyous occasion with everyone. The sound of the applause then subsided leaving echoes behind till the hall was completely silent. The ceremony began with blessings bestowed upon Dario by the high priestess of the empire, her words imbued with the weight of centuries of tradition and divine authority. She began, “May the gods grant you wisdom, strength, courage and compassion for the rest of your rule,” she intoned, her voice carrying a sense of solemnity.Exactly what Dario needed for his reign; wisdom, strength, courage and compassion.“Amen,” everyone chorused.Finally, the moment everyone anticipated was here. It was time for the crowning moment, the culmination of the ceremony and the ultimate symbol of Dario’s divine right to ru
Back at the Williams family villa, the members of the family gathered together after Dario’s coronation party to brainstorm how to fix things. As everyone wined and dined, they shamelessly snuck out of the venue to the villa. They didn’t really have a choice either as all they could see in the grand hall were furtive and disgusted glances thrown in their direction. They also couldn’t bear to watch Dario receiving endless gifts from influential and mighty men in the country, gaining Allie’s and many more. Delilah especially couldn’t bear to watch literally every lady in the room drool over him. Her stomach churned with jealousy and she felt like they were all aiming for what was hers. Such delusion!In just some minutes of publicly and officially announcing his ascension to the throne, the people loved him. They didn’t glare at him in disdain like the Williams used to do, or spit at him or ridicule him. They only saw the good in him.The good the Williams failed to see until today.
Alicia arrived at the family villa just to see Lauren on the floor with nobody making an attempt to help her off the floor. She just arrived at the villa because she decided to stay back till the end of the coronation party to extend her gratitude to Dario.After how the day went, nobody needed to spell it out to her or anyone else that Dario made it happen for her. Dario was the “higher authorities” Cooper referred to!She sincerely thanked Dario and he accepted her gratitude with a joyful heart. She deserved it.From the goodness of her heart, Alicia ran to Lauren and helped her up.“Why are you on the floor?” she asked, her tone laced with concern.Despite how terrible Lauren had treated Alicia in the past, she bore no grudge against her. The other members of the Williams family, including her sister and her parents were no exception. All these years, Alicia ignored their demeaning words and stuck with being good to others. Fortunately, she was reaping her good deeds now in a tho