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The payback of Jeremy Xavier 16
After a few moments of awkward silence, Bonnie excused herself. She had been invited by Vivan, and it was clear that the meeting was over. She smiled before walking away, leaving Hope and Jeremy alone. Jeremy continued brooding at the desk, while Hope, sensing the tension, decided it was better to give him space. She walked out and was about to get a cup of coffee when she suddenly bumped into Vivan in the hallway. She heaved in surprise as soon as she sighted Vivan. "Miss Vivan!" Hope exclaimed, taking a step back. Her expression shifted from surprise to mild embarrassment. "I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there." Vivan chuckled softly, her presence exuding the calm authority that always seemed to surround her. "No need to apologize, Hope. I was actually coming to see you." Hope raised an eyebrow. "Me? Is there something wrong?" “Miss Sinclair,” Hope began cautiously, “is everything alright?” “Please,” Vivan said with a faint smile, “call me Vivan. And yes, everything is fine.
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Vivan leaned back in her chair, staring at Hope with a mix of admiration and gratitude. "Fate has a strange way of weaving our lives together, doesn’t it?"Hope shrugged lightly, a playful smirk on her face. "Or maybe Jeremy just has a knack for finding trouble, and I have a knack for being in the wrong place at the right time."Vivan chuckled, the sound filled with a warmth that seemed to ease the tension in the room. "Regardless of how it happened, I’m grateful. You may not realize it, but you’ve already made an impact on him. Even if he doesn’t acknowledge it yet."Hope tilted her head, considering Vivan's words. "He’s a complex person, that’s for sure. But I can’t help wondering... does he even want my help? Or yours, for that matter?"Vivan's smile faded slightly, and a shadow of sorrow crossed her face. "Jeremy's pride is his armor. He’s built it up over the years to protect himself from pain. But beneath that armor is a young man desperate for connection, even if he doesn’t kno
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18.Hope leaned in slightly, her gaze unwavering. "Start with Ethan. What exactly went down between you two?"Jeremy hesitated for a moment, the weight of the memory clearly making him uncomfortable. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he recalled the events. "I was at the office. Just taking a break, trying to get some air. Then I saw Ethan... he was harrasing one of the younger girls in the company, some kid who probably just started. Jeremy's voice grew tight as he continued. "Ethan was practically cornering her, making her feel small, like she didn't belong. He was saying stuff about how she wasn’t cut out for the job, pushing her around like she was some kind of punching bag. I couldn’t stand it." His eyes darkened, the anger still fresh in his mind. "So, I stepped in."Hope leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on him, sensing the deeper layers to his actions. "What did you do?"Jeremy's jaw clenched. "I told him to back off, that the kid was just trying to do her job
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Hope noticed the shift in Jeremy’s expression, the faint hint of a smile breaking through his brooding demeanor. She leaned her chin on her hand, watching him closely. “You know, Jeremy, for someone who claims to want space, you’re not exactly pushing me away right now.”Jeremy rolled his eyes, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward. “Maybe you’re just too stubborn to leave.”“Or maybe,” she countered, her tone light but her eyes serious, “you’re not as tough as you think. You let people in more than you realize—you just don’t want to admit it.”Jeremy shook his head, chuckling softly. “You’ve got me all figured out, huh?”“Not entirely,” Hope admitted, swirling her own drink. “But I know enough to see you’re not as closed off as you pretend to be. It’s okay to let someone help, you know.”Jeremy’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of vulnerability. He glanced down at his glass, his fingers tracing the rim. “It’s not that simple, Hope. People are bad. I don't want pe
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Hope cleared her throat, shaking her head to dispel the sudden heat creeping up her neck. "Don’t flatter yourself," she shot back, though her tone lacked it's usual sharpness. Jeremy chuckled as she pushed her off the door and crossed the room toward the window. "Relax, Hope. You’re the one who said I should open up. I figured this would be a good start. Just us—no distractions, no interruptions. And maybe I might open something else-your legs” Hope's jaw dropped, and she stared at Jeremy, half-shocked and half-amused by his audacity. "Excuse me?" she managed, her voice a mix of incredulity and disbelief. Jeremy turned back to her, leaning casually against the window frame with a smirk that was equal parts teasing and infuriating. "What? Too bold? Thought you liked honesty, Hope." She narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms as she approached. "There's honesty, Jeremy, and then there's that. If this is your idea of opening up, you're seriously missing the mark." His smirk soft
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Jeremy let out a frustrated breath, throwing himself back onto the bed, his hands resting behind his head. "Seems like it," he muttered, his voice tinged with irritation. "Perfect timing, right?" Hope crossed her arms, pacing slightly in the small space, her thoughts running in circles. "Great. Just great," she muttered to herself, still trying to shake off the discomfort she’d felt from their earlier conversation. The unexpected turn of events—getting stuck in this room, alone with Jeremy—wasn't exactly how she’d envisioned this night going. "You know, I’m starting to think the universe is against us," Hope said, trying to lighten the mood but failing miserably. Jeremy chuckled, the sound low and almost resigned. "Yeah, well, when it rains, it pours.” Hope shot him a sideways glance, realizing that this situation was somehow bringing them closer. Whether she liked it or not, they were stuck together, and there was nowhere to hide from the rawness of their conversation or the t
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Hope woke to the faint smell of coffee and the sound of shuffling papers. She blinked groggily, realizing the pillow barrier was still firmly in place between her and Jeremy, who was sitting cross-legged at the edge of the bed, engrossed in a folder. A steaming cup sat precariously on the nightstand beside him.“Morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Jeremy said without looking up, a smirk already forming on his lips.“Morning,” she mumbled, sitting up and running a hand through her hair. Then her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Wait—where did you get the coffee?” She asked in surprise “What do you mean? Do I need your permission to get myself a coffee?” JEREMY said as he sipped more coffee from his cup.“Don’t play dumb with me, Jeremy. Have you got the hotel door sorted? I mean, it broke last night.Jeremy raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Relax, Sherlock. I called the front desk early this morning. Maintenance fixed it while you were busy snoring.”Hope's jaw dropped. "I do not snore!"Jer
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The ride to the office was uneventful, though Jeremy's incessant humming filled the silence. Hope kept her gaze fixed on the passing cityscape, mentally bracing herself for whatever meetings ahead. When they arrived at the towering glass building, Jeremy held the door open for her, offering a mock bow sarcastically, "After you, my lady." Hope ignored his theatrics as she rolled her eyes, stepping inside and heading toward the elevators. The familiar hum of activity surrounded them—phones ringing, the chatter of coworkers, and the steady click of keyboards. The elevator ride to the upper floor was tense, neither of them speaking now. Hope was focused on calming her nerves while Jeremy leaned casually against the wall with his hands shoved into his pockets. The moment the elevator doors slid open, Hope froze. Ethan was standing just outside, his sharp suit freshly pressed and his smirk as infuriating as ever. "Well, well," Ethan drawled, his eyes flicked between Hope and Jeremy. "If
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Jeremy exited the boardroom, the tension still crackling in the air behind him. The murmurs of investors and staff followed him, but he kept his composure as he walked briskly down the polished corridor. He turned a corner, lost in his thoughts, when he collided with someone.“Jeremy!” Vivian, his wife, exclaimed, steadying herself. She looked up at him, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. “How did the meeting go?”Jeremy smirked, straightening his suit jacket. “Let’s just say Ethan won’t be ruining any more of our plans.”Vivian raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “How did you take him down?”“I told you I had a plan,” Jeremy replied, his tone calm but firm. “There was no way I could let Ethan sit around and spoil the company. He underestimated how much evidence I’d collected.”Vivian’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she crossed her arms. “You’ve always been ten steps ahead. So, what happened?”Jeremy leaned against the wall, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I la
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Everywhere felt silent, Vivan’s gaze pressed down like a powerful stare as confusion filled the room. Ethan stood frozen, his mouth agape as the realization of his predicament finally began to sink in. Vivian stpos up and took a step forward, with her heels echoing on the polished floor. "Ethan, as CEO of this company, my loyalty lies with the truth and the integrity of our organization. And right now, the truth paints a very clear picture." Her gaze hardened. "Security will escort you out. You’ll be hearing from our legal team shortly." Ethan’s face turned crimson, his fists clenching as two security guards moved towards him. “You’ll regret this, Vivian! This is far from over!” he spat, his voice trembling with rage. Jeremy watched impassively as Ethan was escorted out, the room buzzing with whispers. Once the door shut behind him, Vivian turned to face the board and the investors. Her expression softened, but her authority remained unyielding. "I apologize for the disruption," s
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Jeremy remained composed, leaning back in his chair as the tense energy in the room thickened. His piercing gaze shifted to Vivian, a subtle smirk tugging at the corners of his lips."I said," Jeremy began, his voice calm but commanding, "that Ethan’s numbers don’t add up. And I have the evidence to prove it."Ethan's face turned pale, his confident demeanor cracking like fragile glass. "That's a bold accusation, Jeremy," he shot back, his voice shaky but attempting to sound firm. "You better have something substantial to back it up.""Oh, I do," Jeremy said, pulling a sleek tablet from his briefcase. With a few swipes, he cast a detailed projection onto the room's central screen. "Here’s the financial report you submitted last quarter, Ethan. Notice the inconsistencies in your revenue streams? Or should I point out the conveniently inflated figures?"The audience, a mix of high-profile investors and industry leaders, leaned forward in their seats, murmurs rippling through the crowd.
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Jeremy took a deep breath, his hand lingered on the doorknob as he contemplated his next move. The house seemed quieter than usual despite the bustling preparations for the wedding downstairs. The faint hum of conversations and the occasional sound of laughter floated up, a stark contrast to the turmoil in his chest. He couldn’t do this. Not without talking to Hope. Sliding on a pair of soft loafers, Jeremy made his way down the grand staircase, dodging staff and family members along the way. Everyone seemed too preoccupied to notice him—or maybe they were just giving him space, sensing the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior. Hope was still standing in the corner of the ballroom when he found her. She looked radiant in a custom-made gown, the delicate lace sleeves and beaded bodice catching the light in a way that seemed almost otherworldly. But it wasn’t her beauty that stopped him in his tracks—it was the look in her eyes. She was nervous “Hope,” he called softly. S
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Jeremy took a deep breath, his hand lingered on the doorknob as he contemplated his next move. The house seemed quieter than usual despite the bustling preparations for the wedding downstairs. The faint hum of conversations and the occasional sound of laughter floated up, a stark contrast to the turmoil in his chest. He couldn’t do this. Not without talking to Hope. Sliding on a pair of soft loafers, Jeremy made his way down the grand staircase, dodging staff and family members along the way. Everyone seemed too preoccupied to notice him—or maybe they were just giving him space, sensing the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior. Hope was still standing in the corner of the ballroom when he found her. She looked radiant in a custom-made gown, the delicate lace sleeves and beaded bodice catching the light in a way that seemed almost otherworldly. But it wasn’t her beauty that stopped him in his tracks—it was the look in her eyes. She was nervous “Hope,” he called softly. S
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Jeremy's words hung in the air, cryptic and heavy, leaving everyone in stunned silence. Hope's eyes narrowed, trying to decipher the meaning behind his declaration. Tyler and Hailey exchanged a tense glance, their shared unease palpable. "Someone else?" Hope's voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of her confusion. "What do you mean, Jeremy?" Jeremy let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You think this is all about you three? About some tangled love triangle from years ago?" His gaze swept over the group, his expression both accusing and deeply pained. "It’s bigger than that. There’s someone else who’s been caught in this mess, someone who’s been just as affected as I have." "Who, Jeremy?" Tyler's voice was sharp now, his patience clearly wearing thin. "If you’ve got something to say, say it." Jeremy hesitated, his jaw tightening as if wrestling with the decision to speak. Finally, he exhaled and said a name that hit the group like a thunderclap. "Vivan”
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The tension in the garden was palpable. Every eye was on Jeremy, Tyler, and Hailey. The program's calm, almost celebratory ambiance had transformed into something electric, charged with unresolved emotions and unspoken truths. Hope's gaze shifted between the three, her expression a mix of determination and vulnerability. She had orchestrated this moment, knowing it could either shatter what remained of their connection or begin to piece it back together. Jeremy’s presence was the catalyst, but her words would be the glue—or the final wedge. "Jeremy," Tyler finally said, his voice low but steady, "what is this really about? Is it about us, or is it about you proving a point?" Jeremy’s lips curved into a wry smile. "Maybe a little of both," he admitted, his tone cutting. "But mostly, it’s about closure. For all of us." Hailey, her hand still gripping Tyler’s, shook her head. "Closure? After all these years, you think a public spectacle is the way to go?" "It’s not just about yo
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As the program was about to begin, Vivian, along with the other guests, took her seat in the open garden. The gentle hum of conversation filled the air as everyone settled in, the soft rustle of leaves providing a serene backdrop. At the far corner of the garden, Tyler and Hailey quietly slipped into their seats. Their movements were subtle, calculated to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Yet, a few heads turned their way, ...curiosity evident in their glances. Tyler's reputation often preceded him, and Hailey's striking presence added to the intrigue. Vivian noticed the stir but chose not to look directly, focusing instead on the stage where the program host was now stepping up. The host, a middle-aged man with an easy smile and a resonant voice, welcomed everyone warmly, his words flowing effortlessly. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here tonight to celebrate not just the art of storytelling but also the power it holds to bring us together." Jeremy immediately sighte
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The D- Day was finally here. Today Jeremy and Hope was going to get married. Vivian paced the room, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. As Jeremy’s mother, today was one of the most significant days of her life, and though she was happy for her son, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the day was about to change everything, regardless of the fact that it was a business marriage.She glanced at the clock again. The ceremony was about to start, and everything had been meticulously planned. Guests had arrived, the garden was perfectly set up, and Hope was about to become part of their family. Yet, Vivian found herself lost in her thoughts, her emotions battling between pride, her only son, she had been absent away from his life most of his life and now….he was getting married. He was no longer the little boy who had come running to her for comfort. He was now a man, ready to start his own life with Hope. Taking a deep breath, she turned to look at herself in the mir
