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The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 193. The other side of Gareth’s coin
Chapter one hundred and ninety three: The Other Side of Gareth’s CoinAfter the unsettling call with the mysterious woman ended, Garrett Thompson, Loretta’s manager, leaned back in his chair and let out a long, heavy sigh. His office, once a place of focused productivity, felt suffocating after the tense conversation. The promises of power, money, and control played on repeat in his mind, but for a moment, he wasn’t thinking about Bloom Entertainment or Loretta’s next move. He was thinking about something far more precious.He stared out the window, his gaze softening as he let go of the sharp edge of business. The sky was clear, a calm contrast to the storm brewing in his professional life. After a few moments of silence, he picked up his other phone, a personal one, smaller, worn from years of use, but filled with contacts that mattered more to him than any business deal. Without hesitating, he scrolled to one name: Grandma Ella.The phone rang twice before the familiar, warm v
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 194; The unexpected witness
Chapter one hundred and ninety four; The Unexpected Witness Loretta’s heart was pounding in her chest, her pulse racing faster with each passing second. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. The two men, who had seemed professional at first, had crossed a line so fast she could barely comprehend it. Their persuasive words had turned into something much darker, and now, they were trying to trap her physically and emotionally. Just as one of the men inched closer, his hand brushing against her arm in a way that made her skin crawl, the door to the private lounge suddenly swung open. For a split second, Loretta felt a rush of relief wash over her, praying it was someone who could help, someone who could put an end to the increasingly disturbing situation. Standing at the entrance was a young waitress, her hand still on the door handle. She wore the restaurant’s uniform, a crisp white blouse with a black apron tied around her waist and held a silver tray in her other hand, p
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 195, A timely intervention
Chapter one hundred and ninety five : A Timely InterventionThe air in the private lounge was thick with tension, and the weight of the situation pressed down on everyone. Loretta's heart was pounding, her mind racing as she tried to process what was happening. The men were closing in on Emma, their expressions dark and menacing. Loretta had stood up, her body trembling slightly as she told them to leave Emma alone.And that’s when the door swung open.At first, everyone in the room froze, eyes darting to the entrance. The figure that entered was tall and imposing, a man with broad shoulders, wearing a dark suit. His presence instantly shifted the energy in the room. Loretta recognized him immediately: her bodyguard, Eric. He had been waiting outside the lounge, unaware of the chaos that had unfolded. The door had been left slightly ajar when Emma entered, and it was Loretta’s voice that had caught his attention. He had heard her firm command, telling the men to leave Emma alone,
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 196, The aftermath
Chapter one hundred and ninety six: The AftermathThe door of the private lounge clicked shut behind Loretta and her bodyguard, leaving the two men fuming in their seats. The senior talent executive, Mark Sutherland, clenched his jaw, his face twisted in frustration. His colleague, Daniel Foster, the talent relations officer, rubbed his temples, trying to calm his rising anger.“That was a disaster,” Mark hissed, slamming his fist on the table. “We had her right where we needed her, and that meddling waitress ruined everything.”Daniel nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. “We can't afford this kind of failure. Not with Bloom watching us so closely. Loretta is the talent of the year, and Tether Advert was going to benefit from this. Now, we’ve lost her.” They both exchanged a glance, knowing how high the stakes were. Mark’s voice grew colder, “This isn’t going to end here. Someone needs to pay for this.”Daniel looked around the room, as if searching for someone to blame. “We
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 197, unsettling conversation with manager
Chapter 197: Unsettling Conversations with manager Loretta spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, her mind replaying the events from the private lounge. The uneasy feeling in her gut wouldn’t go away. Should she tell Gareth what had happened? Or would it be better to leave it buried? After all, her bodyguard had managed to get her out safely, and no one had really gotten hurt. But those men… the way they acted, their intentions, something wasn’t right.By the time morning rolled around, Loretta still hadn't made up her mind. The sound of her phone vibrating on the bedside table jolted her awake. She squinted at the screen, seeing Gareth’s name pop up. She let it ring. A few minutes later, a text followed.‘I’ll be there in 15 to catch up on yesterday and go over your other meetings. Hope you’re up!’Loretta sighed and threw the covers off. She had no choice now. Gareth was coming over, and whether she wanted to or not, they had to talk about yesterday.The knock on he
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 198; A night with class mates at blue garden
Chapter one hundred and ninety eight; A Night with class mates at Blue GardenAfter the conversation with her manager, Loretta just wanted to rest for the whole day and not so much. However, she had a class mates hang out and had to attend. The sun was setting over the city, casting a warm orange glow over the streets as Loretta made her way to Blue Garden, a popular hangout spot she used to frequent during her school days. Tonight, it was buzzing with excitement because she, now a rising star, was attending a get-together with her old classmates. The news had spread quickly, and it seemed like everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of her. Despite the nervous energy bubbling inside, Loretta was determined to enjoy the evening. She wasn’t going alone either. Florence, her personal social media manager, was with her, ensuring that the event was captured perfectly for her fans. With each passing day, Loretta's fame was growing, and Florence had a keen eye for moments that would keep h
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 199; Chris ridiculed in absentia
Chapter one hundred and ninety nine : The Ridiculed in absentia The evening was lively, filled with laughter, music, and the soft hum of conversation as everyone mingled. Loretta sat at a table with a few old classmates, absently stirring her drink, her thoughts elsewhere. The gathering was meant to be a casual get-together, a celebration of friendships and old memories, but the atmosphere was thick with tension. Most of the attendees were eagerly discussing the who's who of the event, but one topic kept surfacing, and that was Chris.“Where’s your loser friend, Lucas?” someone asked, their voice dripping with mockery. It was Turner, one of the more obnoxious people in the group, who always had something rude to say. His tone was sharp, his eyes gleaming with the desire to cause trouble.Lucas, who had been sitting quietly, looked up from his phone and frowned. He knew where this conversation was heading. Chris, his best friend, had always been the target of ridicule, mostly beca
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 200: Helping a star
Chapter Two hundred : helping a young star The atmosphere in Blue Garden was alive with laughter and chatter, and joke, the perfect backdrop for a reunion of old friends. Among the guests were not only Loretta’s classmates but also a few teachers, including Mrs. Maxwell, a beloved figure from their school days. Known for her elegance and modern style, Mrs. Maxwell had a way of connecting with her students that was both nurturing and inspiring. Today, she was accompanied by her daughter, Emily, who had just turned sixteen. Emily was a striking young woman with long, wavy hair and bright blue eyes that sparkled with excitement. The two of them stood out in the crowd, their beauty undeniable and their presence magnetic. As they entered the venue, several heads turned, and compliments flowed freely.“Mrs. Maxwell, you look stunning!” someone called out.“And Emily, happy birthday! You’re glowing!” another voice chimed in.As the compliments swirled around them, Loretta couldn't help
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360; The Breaking Point
Chapter 360: The Breaking Point It’s the next day after Chris presented himself to the world in his full glory, the media has carried the news both far and near and the Preston’s were still in shock of the revelation. The Preston boardroom was unusually quiet that morning. Sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows, casting golden stripes across the dark mahogany table. The chairs were all filled—executives, advisors, partners from subsidiaries. But one seat at the head of the table remained empty. Stephany’s seat. Eleanor sat in her usual place, fingers steepled, a slight crease in her brow. She glanced at her watch again. Still no word. Still no daughter. Still no leadership. It had been two days since the gala. Two days since the world discovered that Chris Brown—the quiet son-in-law they mocked—was actually the president of MTD and the force behind Sterling Heritage. Two days since Stephany had vanished. “She’s taking time to think,” Eleanor said qui
359: Stephany’s Spiral
Chapter 359: Stephany’s Spiral Stephnay stepped our. And Chris followed her. The air outside the ballroom was colder than it should’ve been. Stephany’s heels clicked furiously against the marble as she stormed down the corridor, the silk of her gown swishing violently behind her. Her breath came in shallow bursts, not from exertion, but from the ache building in her chest, from the burn in her throat she couldn’t swallow. Everyone had lied to her. Everyone. Her father… who paraded around like he was the reason for the deal, when he was nothing more than a shadow. Her mother… who, for all her sharpness, had encouraged her to chase a stranger, unaware he was already sleeping in her daughter’s bed. Sandra… her friend, her confidante, who had stood by and said nothing while Stephany wept and doubted and begged. And Chris. Chris. The man she insulted. Defended. Hated. Loved. The man who, it turned out, had been ten steps ahead of her the entire time. She pushed
358; after the lights
Chapter 359: After the Lights The ballroom lights dimmed slowly, the last echoes of applause fading into the glittering hush of evening elegance. The crowd had dispersed into small clusters some lingering around the champagne bar, others whispering in stunned awe near the media walls. The air was thick with disbelief, admiration… and a new respect that hadn’t been there before. Chris Brown stepped off the stage like a man who had just laid his past to rest. His face was composed. His shoulders straight. But inside? A storm raged. He didn’t look for her in the crowd. He didn’t need to. He felt her. Stephany. And she was coming. Each step she took echoed like a countdown. He turned slowly to face her, meeting her eyes across the polished marble floor, under chandeliers that suddenly seemed too bright. Her heels clicked to a stop three feet in front of him. She didn’t speak at first. Didn’t blink. She just looked at him like she was seeing a ghost. No… like she was seei
357 the speech
Chapter 358: The Speech The ballroom, moments before electric with noise, now pulsed with stunned silence. The man everyone had ignored, mocked, and dismissed… stood before them. No longer in the shadows. No longer “just a son-in-law.” Chris Brown. The President of MTD Enterprises.If not because Sandra herself introduced him, no one would believe he was the owner of Sterling, the one calling the shots. The man who had, without the Preston name, without favors or inheritance, built a corporate empire that now stood at the helm of Preston Holdings’ salvation. He stepped up to the stage, his black tux catching the soft gold light of the chandeliers above. Calm, composed, magnetic. He didn’t need a grand entrance. He was the moment. The microphone felt cool in his hand as he brought it close. “Good evening,” he began, his voice smooth, quiet, but undeniably strong. The crowd leaned in. “I’ll keep this brief,” he continued. “I know the wine is flowing, and so
356; president on a bike
Chapter 356: The President on a Bike The Grand New York Ballroom shimmered with opulence. Glittering chandeliers hung like frozen stars above the gold-accented floor. Guests milled about in tuxedos and flowing gowns, laughter and polite applause filling the space as media crews tried to capture every angle. Business moguls, celebrities, and dignitaries gathered, sipping champagne and posing for press photos beneath the towering banners that read: “The New Preston Empire – Gala of Legacy and Innovation.” Charles Preston stood front and center, basking in the glow of attention. His tailored white suit gleamed under the lights, and he wore a practiced smile that hadn’t wavered since the event began. Every reporter, every business associate—he greeted them all with open arms and exaggerated humility. “I just did what any visionary would do,” Charles said during an interview, brushing invisible lint off his shoulder. “The expansion was necessary. And thanks to our trusted par
355; a night of glass And gold
Chapter 355: A night of glass and gold. Add her mother pushes her to welcome him The Grand New York Ballroom shimmered like a crown jewel in the heart of Manhattan. Crystal chandeliers dripped light onto mirrored floors, casting glittering illusions across a sea of tuxedos and couture gowns. The air was thick with cologne, champagne, and the sharp undercurrent of ambition. It was a night carved out for legends. And Charles Preston was ready to claim it. "Smile, Mr. Preston!" "Over here, Charles!" "The face behind Preston’s comeback!" Charles grinned wide, adjusting his cufflinks as camera flashes burst in succession. Reporters flanked the red carpet, microphones stretched forward like spears as he paused just long enough for the spotlight to settle comfortably on him. “Yes,” he said with polished ease, “we’re very proud of the progress Preston Holdings has made this year. Tonight is about celebrating that growth—and the vision that brought us here.”
354: Behind the Velvet curtain
Chapter 354: Behind the Velvet Curtain The night shimmered like a stage awaiting its lead actor. Inside the Grand Ballroom at the Empire Crown Hotel, chandeliers sparkled above a sea of elegantly dressed guests. Velvet drapes framed tall windows, and gold, edged mirrors gave the illusion of endless luxury. A symphony quartet played in the background, their music crisp, purposeful like the gala itself. This wasn't just a party. It was war with lace gloves and champagne. And behind the scenes, the generals were preparing. Connor Shaw, head of the Metropolitan Police and Chris’s long, time ally, stood in the back service corridor of the hotel, earpiece in, tablet in hand. His eyes weren’t on the stage. They were on security feeds. “I want eyes on every major entrance,” he said into the comms. “Check for duplicates of the guest list, especially near the back elevators. Nothing gets past us tonight.” He wasn’t here in uniform. He was dressed in a black tailored suit
353; The interruption
Chapter 353: The Interruption The city glowed with twilight as the sun bowed behind glass towers and flashing billboards, preparing to hand the stage over to a night of prestige, power, and unveiling. The Preston Expansion Gala was just hours away, and every detail had been scrutinized to perfection—down to the shimmer of champagne and the alignment of name cards. But Chris never made it to the venue. Not yet. He had left the penthouse in his tailored suit, calm and resolved, his presence a storm wrapped in elegance. The drive his most trusted escort had been instructed to take the back route, avoiding media hotspots. It was supposed to be quiet. Controlled. But power always attracts chaos. And Chris never saw it coming. As the car approached an underpass just twenty minutes from the gala hall, a black SUV swerved from nowhere, cutting them off. Before the driver could react, another vehicle blocked them from behind. Then darkness. Metal clashed. Tires screeched. Doors fl
352: the call of blood
Chapter 352: The Call of Blood The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Chris's penthouse office, casting elongated shadows across the polished marble floor. He stood by the window, gazing out at the city skyline, his reflection a ghostly overlay against the bustling world beyond. The news had broken earlier that day: the elusive president of MTD was also the owner of Sterling Heritage and would be making a public appearance at the Preston gala. His phone buzzed on the desk behind him, a persistent vibration that refused to be ignored. Chris turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he saw the caller ID: "Grandpa Brown." A sigh escaped his lips, heavy with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved tensions. He picked up the phone, the device cool against his palm, and answered with a measured tone. "Grandpa." The voice on the other end was sharp, tinged with a mix of frustration and disbelief. "Christopher, care to explain why I had to find out from the p
