Gracia sat at her kitchen table, tapping her fingers impatiently. She was growing more frustrated with each passing day.Harvey, the man she had once thought she could build a life with, was now treating her like she didn’t exist.It was as if she had become invisible to him. This wasn’t how things were supposed to be. Gracia's best friend, Jane, sat across from her, sipping on a cup of coffee. Jane had been listening to Gracia's complaints about Harvey for weeks, trying to offer comfort and advice."I just don't get it, Jane," Gracia said, her voice tinged with desperation. "Why is he acting like this? Haven't you begged enough?"Jane sighed, setting her cup down."Gracia, sometimes men can be idiots. Maybe he's going through something and doesn't know how to talk about it. Maybe, I should give him time."Gracia shook her head. "No, it's more than that. It's like he doesn’t even see me anymore. I need to do something to get his attention, to remind him of what he used to feel about me
Jane’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched Harvey from a distance. She had decided to take Gracia’s plan a step further by following Harvey around town, hoping to create a more good impression. She wanted to keep him interested and make him think of her more often.Harvey was heading into a store, and Jane saw her chance. She trailed him quietly, keeping a safe distance so he wouldn’t notice her.As he entered the store, she waited a few moments before following him inside. Jane took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. This had to work.Inside the store, Jane pretended to browse the shelves, keeping an eye on Harvey’s movements. He was looking at some items in the home improvement section, seemingly lost in thought. Jane saw her opportunity and made her way towards him, her heart racing.Just as she approached, Jane pretended to trip and let her purse slip from her shoulder. She wanted to know if Harvey liked her enough to care.The contents spilled across the floor, mak
Jane trudged back to Anderson's home, her mind was in a whirlpool of humiliation and anger. She could still feel the weight of Harvey's stern warning and the eyes of strangers on her as she scrambled to pick up her belongings. She remembered how it all happened. How she walked back gave her time to compose herself, but the sting of failure stayed.How she created a scene at the store. And also the consequences of it.She opened her door, threw her purse on the couch, and sank into an armchair, covering her face with her hands. She took a deep breath before speaking. As Gracia called her on the phone just to make sure she was alright."Hello, Gracia, “Yes, I've gotten home. But I'm not really okay. I feel so humiliated. I can't even believe that I followed Harvey to the store and tried to create a scene by bumping into him, it’s crazy. To even think that he saw right through it all. Harvey, who used to be close to me, now warned me not to follow him again or he'd call the cops. I feel
Trying to mend her family relationships after the scandal broke was one of the most challenging periods of Gracia’s life. The news of her father’s infidelity with Henry's mother had spread like wildfire across every conceivable media outlet – magazines, tabloids, talk shows, and podcasts. It was not just a private matter anymore; it became a public spectacle, releasing a harsh spotlight on their once-private lives.The fallout was devastating. Her mother was understandably hurt and betrayed and threatened to divorce Mr. Micheal. She knew the financial ruin they faced meant there was little to gain from splitting up, but staying together under these circumstances was its own form of torment. The media circus that surrounded them only added fuel to the fire, with reporters hounding their every move, looking for the next juicy detail to sensationalize.In the midst of this turmoil, they clung to the hope that somehow, they could salvage their family. Gracia believed in the importance of
Gracia had been waiting for days, her hopes dwindling with each unsuccessful visit to the mansion. Then, one afternoon, as she sat by her phone, it finally buzzed with a message.Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was from an unknown number."Meet me at the park nearby the mansion at 4 PM. - "She gasped and clutched the phone to her chest, tears of relief welling in her eyes. Harvey wanted to see her.After all the weeks of waiting and pleading, there was finally a glimmer of hope. She immediately sprang into action, running to her closet to find something suitable to wear.She chose a simple yet elegant blue dress that complimented her eyes and matched her hopeful mood. As she slipped it on, she felt a surge of excitement.Today could be the day everything changed.As she was about to leave her room, she bumped into Edward, who was standing in the doorway with a smug expression."Where do you think you're going?" he asked, his tone dripping with condescension.Gracia tried to keep
Chapter 78Gracie finally made her way to the park, but it was already late. Her heart was heavy with worry and disappointment. She looked around, but there was no sign of Harvey. The park was almost empty, and the evening shadows were growing longer.Gracie took a deep breath and pulled out her phone. She dialed Harvey’s number, her hands trembling slightly. After a few rings, he answered."Harvey, it’s Gracie," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I’m at the park, but I don’t see you. Where are you?"Harvey’s voice came through the phone, smooth and calm. "Hey, Gracie. I had to step away for a bit. Just wait there, and I’ll come back soon."Gracie’s heart sank a little, but she tried to remain hopeful. "Okay, I’ll wait. Please hurry."She sat down on a bench near the fountain, her mind racing with thoughts. She hoped Harvey would come quickly. The park felt eerie in the fading light, and she didn’t want to be alone for too long.Minutes turned into an hour, and still, there w
*FLASHBACK*The shock that struck them welled up throughout their spines, well up to their bloodstreams.They just paid a whopping sum of a million dollars for the other platform. There was only one explanation to this, he had stolen his way there.But what would Harvey be doing there? From the last time that she checked, even though he was there, there was no way that he would be able to afford any of the clothes that were on display there.With a really deep breath, her eyes finally brightened as thoughts ran through her head. There was only one explanation for it now. He was planning to steal from the store.Remembering that his worthless mother was in the hospital now, gasping for breath, that could be the only explanation for it.There was a bold smile on Mrs. Eloise 's face. Now that they had caught the real thief, she was going to use it as a means to cover up for their creams.The smile that was hovering on her face deepened even more as she was finally tapped by Garcia , sna
Mrs. Eloise sat on the couch in the living room, thinking deeply about everything that had happened to their family. She couldn't make any sense of what was happening. How had they fallen this deeply? She sighed, glancing around the once-luxurious room now stripped of many of its finer furnishings. It seemed just yesterday they were living in comfort and security, but now they were on the brink of losing everything.Her thoughts drifted back to the numerous attempts they had made to contact Harvey. Despite their efforts, he had refused to help them even after they offered him a share of the company’s profits. It made no sense to her. Why would he turn down such an offer unless he was already doing well for himself? The last time she saw him, he seemed comfortable, even prosperous. But how did it happen? She wasn't sure but vowed to find out.The sound of footsteps broke her daydreaming. Garcia entered the room, looking as tired and worried as Eloise felt.“Mom, are you okay?” Garcia as
With the Stephenson Company fully back on top and leading in the business world, Harvey felt it was finally time to take a break from the city. The months of hard work, the intense focus on rebuilding the company, and the stress of dealing with betrayals had left him exhausted. He knew he needed to step away, to clear his mind and have fun. He also wanted to reward his sister Nadia for all her support and encouragement throughout the difficult times. A vacation seemed like the perfect idea.Harvey and Nadia decided on the Maldives, it was a tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious resorts. It was the perfect place to loosen up and enjoy a well-deserved break. The decision made, they dove into preparations with excitement.Nadia took charge of the logistics, making sure everything was perfect for their trip. “We’re going to do this right, Harvey,” she said, grinning as she browsed through different resorts online. “No expense spared. We’ve e
For the first time in a long while, Harvey decided to take a day off. He needed it after all the stress he had been under.The Stephenson Company was running smoothly, the employees were now doing their jobs very well, all the recent crisis had been successfully managed. Harvey felt he deserved a break, a chance to relax and recharge. He spent the morning at home, catching up on some reading and enjoying a leisurely breakfast. It felt good to slow down and take a moment to breathe.Around noon, his sister Nadia came back home from a date, carrying a bag filled with lunch from their favorite deli. She was always a breath of fresh air, full of energy and good humor.“Look at you, Mr. CEO, taking a day off,” Nadia teased as she entered the kitchen. “I never thought I’d see this day.”Harvey laughed. “Even CEOs need a break sometimes,” he replied, taking the bag from her and setting it on the counter. “Besides, I thought it would be nice to spend some time with my big sister.”Nadia grinn
Finally, the day came for the unveiling of the monument. Harvey and Nadia decided to keep the ceremony small and intimate, inviting only close friends, associates, and a few trusted colleagues from the Stephenson Company. They wanted this to be a personal moment, a chance to meditate and remember their parents in a meaningful way. As the sun shone over the park, everything looked magical, Harvey stepped forward to give his speech. He looked around at the faces of those he cared about, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for their presence and support. “Thank you all for being here today,” Harvey began, his voice filled with emotion. “This monument is more than just a tribute to our parents. It’s a reminder of the values they instilled in us. the importance of kindness, integrity, and hard work. They taught us to always strive for the best, to be fair and just, and to never forget where we came from.” He paused, taking a deep breath. “I know they’re not here with us today, at least n
Harvey felt a sense of calm he hadn’t experienced in years. The Stephenson Company was growing again, stronger than ever after the madness they had faced. Investors kept pouring in, new projects were being launched, and there was a new sense of willingness to work and energy among his employees.After months of indecision and hard work, Harvey could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He had protected his company and guided it back to the top. Now, he felt it was time to turn his attention to something deeply personal. By honoring his parents, who had been his guiding light throughout his journey.That evening, after another successful day at the office, Harvey returned home. The house was warm and welcoming and was filled with the comforting aroma of dinner cooking. Nadia, was in the kitchen preparing their meal, humming softly to herself.Harvey watched her for a moment, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for her presence in his life. She had been his rock, supporting him through every
After dealing with the betrayals that had nearly torn the Stephenson Company apart, Harvey knew that he also had a few other jobs to do. He understood that to truly protect the company and move forward, he needed to focus on two main areas: maintaining data security and rebuilding trust and morale among his employees. The recent events had left the staff feeling shaken and vulnerable, and Harvey figured out that he had to revive their confidence in the company and in each other.The first step Harvey took was to organize a series of internal seminars on data security and confidentiality. He wanted every employee to understand the importance of protecting company information and to learn how to recognize any likely hazards. Harvey brought in top cybersecurity experts to lead these sessions of training, making sure that the training was both thorough and engaging.The first seminar was held in the company’s main conference room, which was filled with employees who were eager to learn an
Harvey understood that now was not the time to rest on his laurels. After successfully dealing with the threats that had nearly destroyed his company, he felt the need to shore up every weakness and vulnerability within the Stephenson Company.The recent and past betrayals had left him very cautious, and he was so eager to protect his business from any future sabotage. There could be no room for error; he would leave nothing to chance.Sitting in his office, Harvey made a list of what he would be looking into. First on the list was conducting a thorough assessment of all employees. He knew that trust was a fragile thing, easily broken and difficult to repair. While he believed most of his employees were loyal, he couldn't afford to take any risks again. Every employee would be investigated, starting with the newest hires, Lily and Peter.Harvey called his secretary, Carla, into his office. She was a sharp, efficient woman who had been with the company for years and was one of the few
Mr. Michael Anderson sat on a battered old chair in the corner of his uncompleted building, staring blankly at the crumbling walls around him. The place felt more like a ruin than a home, it reminded him how far his life had fallen apart.The roof was unfinished, with sections covered only by tarps that flapped in the wind. The concrete floors were cold, and the walls were bare, just exposed brick and mortar. Outside, the sun was shining, but inside, it felt as if the darkness had already settled in.His wife sat sadly across from him on an old mattress, her face was swollen and tired. They hadn’t spoken much in days; there wasn’t much to say anymore. Every conversation seemed to lead back to the same painful topics. their son Lewis’s arrest and imprisonment, their financial situation, and the unbearable weight of guilt and regret that hung over them were overwhelming.Gracia was still in the psychiatric hospital. Her condition had worsened over the past few months. Michael knew they
Meanwhile, Harvey was sitting in his office, calm and composed. He knew the police would come knocking soon. He had expected it. After all, Hugo would try to drag him down with him, just like a drowning man grabs onto anything to stay afloat. But Harvey was also prepared. He had erased every bit of evidence, every communication that could link him to the illegal deal. He had covered his tracks meticulously.When the police arrived at Harvey’s office later that day, he was ready. They asked him to come down to the station for questioning, and he agreed without hesitation. He knew that the best defense was to appear cooperative, and innocent.At the station, they led Harvey into a different interrogation room. The detectives from earlier sat across from him, their expressions were serious but slightly stumped.“Mr. Harvey, thank you for coming in,” the first detective said. “We just have a few questions about your involvement with Hugo Bennett and Lewis Anderson.”“Of course,” Harvey re
Hugo had thought he was in the clear. He had played his part perfectly, setting up Lewis for the illegal ammunition deal, and may have gone free. Everything had gone according to Harvey’s plan, or so he thought. The police had arrested Lewis, and Hugo believed he would walk away with his freedom intact. But Hugo underestimated Harvey. He had no idea that Harvey had set him up from the very beginning.It all came crashing down when the police showed up at Hugo’s door early one morning. He was still in bed, with his eyes barely open, when he heard the loud, insistent knock, he was Startled, so he jumped up and threw on a robe, hurrying to the door with a squeezed brow wondering who it might be. As soon as he opened it, he found himself face-to-face with several stern-looking police officers.“Hugo Bennett?” one of them asked, in a firm and cold voice.“Yes, that’s me,” Hugo replied, as his heart began to pound. “What’s going on?”“You’re under arrest for conspiracy to commit illegal act