Alana's sigh seemed to echo through the room, the weight of her disappointment almost tangible in the air. "So, you're really not willing to forgive me, Calvin?"Calvin's jaw clenched, his eyes hardening with resolve. "I'm tired of these questions, Alana. You've been a part of my past, and that's where you'll stay. Seeking forgiveness or offering it—it's all irrelevant now. I want to retrieve my belongings and move on. That's all I want from you, Alana."Alana's shoulders slumped, her heart sinking with each word from Calvin's lips. She had held onto a sliver of hope that perhaps Calvin's presence here might signify a chance at reconciliation, but his words shattered that hope like fragile glass.Feeling a pang of remorse at the pain he could see in Alana's eyes, Calvin softened slightly. "Could you please just show me where my belongings are? That's all I'm asking."Alana nodded silently, her gaze fixed on the floor as if unable to meet Calvin's eyes. "Fine, after the opening ceremon
James's voice echoed through the grand hall, each word dripping with self-importance as he spun his narrative of tireless labor and unwavering commitment. His gestures were grandiose, punctuating his anecdotes with sweeping gestures that captivated the audience's attention."And so, my dear guests," James declared, his tone booming with confidence, "I stand before you today as a testament to the power of determination and perseverance. For it is through sheer hard work and unyielding dedication that we have achieved the remarkable success we celebrate here tonight."The audience hung on his every word, their applause thunderous in response to James's self-congratulatory rhetoric. They were enthralled by his charisma, swept up in the aura of success that surrounded him."I cannot overstate the countless hours spent in the pursuit of excellence," James continued, his voice ringing with fervor. "Nights turned into days, and days into weeks, as I labored tirelessly in the pursuit of innov
Calvin, still gripping the box tightly, turned to Alana with a steely determination in his eyes. "I'll leave after a cocktail," he stated, his voice resolute.Alana nodded, her expression a mixture of relief and lingering sadness. "Alright then, let's have a cocktail together," she agreed, gesturing for Calvin to follow her back to the party. The box he carried was small, holding the essentials he had left behind, and its weight was more symbolic than physical — a reminder of all he had lost and now reclaimed.As they re-entered the bustling party, the atmosphere was vibrant and celebratory. The crowd was engrossed in the next part of the event: a video presentation showcasing the remarkable progress of Perry Pharmaceuticals. The large screen displayed a sleek company profile, highlighting the various best-selling products that had propelled the company to the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry.Calvin's gaze hardened as he recognized several products on the screen — products he
James shouted once more, his voice breaking with desperation, "Someone turn off that video, now!"The multimedia team was in disarray, frantically attempting to resolve the situation. One of the technicians realized that the flash drive containing the original company profile video had been replaced with another. They tried to remove it, but the flash drive wouldn’t budge. It was securely controlled by Calvin from a distance, adding to their confusion and frustration. Meanwhile, the incriminating video continued to play, exposing the truth layer by layer.Calvin's voice filled the room again, calm yet firm. "James, several previous products have already been falsely claimed by you. Can't this one, at least, be recognized as my work?"The video showed Calvin and James in the lab, the tension palpable. James's voice dripped with contempt. "Calvin, you've been given enough mercy by the Perry family by letting you leech off us. So you'd better stay quiet, or else Alana will divorce you."
Several security officers approached Calvin, but Alana quickly intervened, her voice ringing out with authority, "Wait, everyone!"All eyes turned to Alana, now the focal point of the gathering. She hesitated for a moment, caught between the desire to protect her family's reputation and the need to support Calvin, who had been wronged. Her conflicting emotions were clear, but she knew she had to take a stand.Taking a deep breath, Alana addressed the crowd, her voice steady but filled with underlying tension. "Regardless of who created the medicines, the person responsible will receive the appropriate recognition and reward. However, we will handle this matter separately from tonight's event. Let us not lose sight of the purpose of this gathering—the inauguration of our new factory. So, please, let’s put an end to this chaos."The murmurs and whispers among the guests gradually subsided, though the atmosphere remained charged with curiosity and uncertainty. Security guards continued t
When Calvin returned home, he found Lizzie sitting on the couch, her eyes glued to the television. The flickering light from the screen illuminated her face, which was filled with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. She turned her head sharply as Calvin entered the room, her eyes widening."Calvin, what did you do at the party just now?" Lizzie's voice was a mix of concern and intrigue.Calvin furrowed his brow, feeling a sense of dread. "Why? What happened?"Lizzie pointed at the television, her finger trembling slightly. "Look."On the screen, a news reporter stood outside Perry Pharmaceutical’s new factory, the building lit up against the night sky. The reporter’s voice was clear and urgent, capturing the attention of viewers across the city."It has become the talk of the town that at the grand opening of Perry Pharmaceutical's new factory, it was revealed that James Perry has been taking credit for the work of one of his former employees."Calvin’s heart pounded as he watched fo
Calvin stepped into the warmth of the bathroom, the soothing heat enveloping him as he sank into the depths of the bathtub. The gentle caress of the water against his skin eased the tension from his muscles, offering a moment of respite from the chaos of the day. With a sigh, he reached for his phone, his thoughts drifting to Christina and the uncertain aftermath of their shared encounter.Uncertainty gnawed at Calvin as he contemplated the complexities of their situation. Christina had made it abundantly clear that theirs was a fleeting connection, a solitary night bound by circumstance rather than sentiment. And yet, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps there was more to their encounter than mere coincidence.As he pondered his next move, Calvin couldn't shake the nagging sense of obligation that tugged at his conscience. As a man, he knew he should extend the courtesy of reaching out to Christina, if only to acknowledge the shared moment they had experienced togeth
When Calvin awoke the next morning, he noticed Lizzie was already gone. She had left a note on the refrigerator, indicating she had gone to the gym. Calvin smiled and nodded, recalling how Lizzie had seldom had the opportunity to take care of her health in such a way before. He was glad she was now taking time for herself and socializing with peers, so he had no objections at all.Calvin opened the fridge to prepare his breakfast, pulling out eggs and vegetables. As he cracked the eggs into a sizzling pan, the aroma of cooking filled the kitchen, a comforting start to his day. The peaceful silence was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Wiping his hands on a kitchen towel, he picked up the phone, glancing at the caller ID before answering."Hello?" he said, expecting a routine call."Calvin! It's Miranda Dew," came the anxious voice on the other end.Calvin's heart skipped a beat. "Mrs. Dew, what happened? What's going on?"Miranda's voice trembled with a mix of anger an