Chapter Seventeen: Desperation and Disappointment Grandma Preston sat in her study, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and worries. She was deeply disappointed in Stephany, not because she believed Henry’s baseless accusations, but because the situation with MTD Entertainment House was not resolved in their favor. She needed that partnership for the survival of Preston Empire. Sighing heavily, she reached for her cup of tea, only to be interrupted by a buzzing sound from her phone. She picked it up and saw a message notification. Her heart sank as she read the disturbing news: the shipment of products from China, meant for their newly signed talents, had gone missing in the Atlantic Ocean. “No, no, no,” she muttered, her hands trembling. This was a disaster. Without those products, their launch would be in jeopardy, and the losses would be catastrophic. She stood up and paced the room, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on her shoulders. Preston Empire needed a b
Chapter Eighteen: Desperate Measures Henry paced the length of his room, his mind racing. The image of Grandma Preston's disappointed face haunted him. He had to fulfill her wish and secure the partnership with MTD Entertainment House by evening, when her birthday celebration was scheduled. The pressure was immense, and Henry felt his desperation growing with each tick of the clock. He decided to take a different approach. Calling Stela, his young and beautiful cousin, he laid out his plan. "Stela, I need your help. We’re going to MTD again, and this time, we're not taking no for an answer." Stela, always eager to help her family, agreed without hesitation. "Whatever you need, Henry. Let's do this." Together, they arrived at MTD Entertainment House, their determination clear. As they entered the grand lobby, Henry straightened his suit and took a deep breath. He was ready to do whatever it took. Approaching the receptionist, he demanded to see the manager, Mrs. Grace.
Chapter Nineteen: A Lunch Date with Intentions Stephany decided to focus solely on her work, determined to make Luxury Flair shine at the upcoming fashion week. She had been in her office all morning, reviewing designs and coordinating with suppliers. Her desk was piled with fabric swatches, sketches, and a half-empty cup of coffee. The phone rang, cutting through the concentrated silence. "Hello?" she answered, not taking her eyes off a particularly intricate sketch. "Stephany, it's Bradley," a familiar voice said. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for lunch today?" Stephany hesitated. She had no plans to leave the office today. There was too much to do. But then she remembered the Blue Emerald Cartier Necklace Bradley had promised. She couldn't afford to offend him, especially when he had spent a fortune on that rare piece of jewelry. "Sure, Bradley. Where should we meet?" she replied, forcing a cheerful tone into her voice. "De Empress Kitchen. I'll be wa
Chapter Twenty: An Encouragement to Shine Chris returned home late in the evening, exhausted but eager to see Stephany. As he entered their modest apartment, he noticed the living room lights were dimmed and a serene quietness filled the space. He quietly approached the bedroom, pushing the door open to find Stephany sleeping soundly, still in her clothes from the day. It was clear to him that she had waited up for him but had eventually succumbed to fatigue. His heart softened at the sight. He felt a pang of guilt for making her wait, for all the stress and strain his presence—or lack thereof—had caused her. He sat gently on the edge of the bed and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Steph. I didn't mean to make you wait." He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, and as if on cue, Stephany stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked a few times, adjusting to the low light. "Chris? You're back," she said, her voice thick with sleep. "Yeah, I'm back," he said s
Chapter Twenty One: An Unexpected Announcement The party was in full swing, the grand hall filled with laughter, chatter, and the clinking of glasses. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone immersed in the festivities. However, one person stood apart from the joyous crowd, Henry Preston. His eyes flicked anxiously to his phone every few minutes, waiting for the message from MTD Entertainment that would bring him the good news he desperately needed. The minutes dragged on, each passing second a reminder of the uncertainty hanging over him. As the night progressed, it was time for the gifting ceremony. One by one, family members and close friends approached Grandma Preston to present their carefully chosen gifts. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, each gift a testament to the respect and love they held for the family's matriarch. Mr. Bradley West stepped forward, holding a beautifully wrapped package. He approached Grandma Preston with a confident smile, the kin
Chapter 22. A shocking surprise Seeing as the Representative insisted on meeting him first, Grandma urged Henry to meet them and hear what they have to say first. She vaguely believed it had something to do with the collaboration with MTD Entertainment, with no doubt that her grandson was able to secure the deal. ‘Maybe they needed to be clear on something’s and finalize it before wit’s announced.’ She thoughtAnd sent Henry to meet them. As he approached the representatives, his confident smile quickly faded when he saw that there were two officers standing with the representatives.“What's the update?" Henry asked, trying to mask his anxiety.The lead representative, a stern-faced woman, handed Henry an official notice. “Mr. Henry Preston, you are being reported for attempted blackmail and defamation of the president of MTD Entertainment. You are required to come to the station for questioning immediately."Henry's face went pale. "What? There must be some mistake. Please, can
Chapter Twenty Three; The Ancient Immortal Cup Versus The Pendant. “You!” Henry glared at Chris for a minute, then went to another room to fetch his gift. Stephany gave Chris a sharp look. "And what about yours, Chris? You didn't give a gift either, and now people will notice."“Eleanor who was sitting close to them overheard their conversation and looked at Chris wearily, “Didn’t I tell you to prepare a gift for grandma? How do you expect to attend a birthday party without a gift?”“But I have a gift for grandma.” Chris said and brought out a small jewelry box from his pocket. “This small box? What could possibly be inside?” Eleanor Preston questioned Chris in disagreement.“Hurry, go and keep it on the gift stand before anybody notice what you are carried.” Stephen’s told her husband. Just when Chris stood up to drop his gift, Henry returned to the hall with a shiny big box on his hand and he happened to see the small box Chris was holding. Henry, sensing an opportunity to elev
Chapter Twenty Four; Feminine Jealously “Grandma doesn’t need this thoughtlessness from you,” Henry jeered, his voice dripping with contempt.The pendant fell to the ground, making a soft thud that seemed to echo in the silent room. For Chris, this was the last straw. He stood up from his seat, his face set in a grim determination, and walked over to retrieve the necklace. Every step felt heavy, laden with the weight of the ridicule and scorn directed at him.As he bent down to pick up the pendant, Chris's mind flooded with memories of his mother. The pendant wasn't just a piece of jewelry; it was a connection to his past, a symbol of his mother's love and the values she had instilled in him. It had taken him a great deal of emotional strength to part with it, hoping it would convey his respect and admiration for Grandma Preston.He picked up the pendant, brushing off the dust, and turned to face the crowd. "If you don’t appreciate it, I’ll take it back," he said, his voice stea