Mrs. Lampton flipped her straight hair and darted her gaze toward Alex. She studied him and turned back to William. “Is this the man who is going to look after my daughter?”
“Yes of course.” William replied.
Mrs. Lampton looked at Alex with suspecting eyes. He is too young, without white coat nor stethscope around his neck.
This is the doctor Mr. Turner brought?
Mrs. Turner didn’t want Alex to see her daughter, but she offended Mr. Turner just now, how could she let him lose face again?
With Mr. Turner’s power, their family would be done.
Mr. Lampton had to say cautiously with a flattery smile, “I’m sorry Mr. Turner, but honestly we’ve found a good doctor, now he is examining my daughter, so...maybe it’s not convenient for Alex to enter...”
Alex frowned, if that doctor could cure Dianna, he was OK with that. Anyway he was here to visit this girl, not to show his medical skill.
William tried to say something, but Alex stopped him and said, “It’s OK Mrs. Lampton, I wish your daughter could recover soon.”
Mr and Mrs Lampton took a relief, they would never offend William Turner, but they must think about their daughter.
However, at this time, a screech was heard from upstairs.
What’s with this household and their screaming?
“Dianna?” Mrs. Lampton gasped and fled. Her husband ran after her.
Alex turned to William with his head cocked toward the staircase. They stood up and ran after the Lamptons
The Lamptons headed straight to Dianna’s room. Alex and William joined them.
Inside her chamber, Dianna was kneeling by the edge of her bed coughing with all her might while a middle-aged man towered above her in a white coat. He had gloves on.
Mrs. Lampton hurried toward her daughter and was starstruck when her eyes fell on the floor. Blood clots were littered on the floor and the more Diana coughed, the more blood came running through her mouth.
“Precious lord!” Mrs. Lampton exclaimed.
Meanwhile, there was a young maiden standing beside Dianna with her hands quaking. It was one of the domestic servants and she was the one who raised the alarm when Dianna began to puff blood out.
“I think she caught a strange illness.” The man standing beside Dianna said after noticing the shock everyone was bearing.
There was a name tag on his breast pocket with the caption. Dr. O’Donnell. It was the specialist the Lamptons hired to look after their daughter.
“What strange illness? Are you nuts?” Mr. Lampton fired back.
Mrs. Lampton rushed toward her daughter and knelt beside her. “Are you okay hunny?”
Dianna slowly lifted her head. Alex noticed the swelling underneath her eyes and how she kept stroking her neck. Her hair was tied into a loose bun and her deep blue eyes communicated weariness.
Suddenly, Dianna opened her mouth and began to puff out more blood. Alex rushed toward her side and began to press her cleavage.
“Hey, what are you doing!” Mrs. Lampton who was kneeling opposite Alex cried out.
She noticed the way Alex’s hand was going up and down her daughter’s bosom and she had what thing in mind.
Sexual harassment!
“Get this man away from my daughter.”
Alex didn’t stop. He applied more pressure on Dianna’s chest and intensified the massage.
Mr. Lampton was about to charge toward Alex when William stood in his way.
“He’s saving her.” William said seriously.
Dianna groaned and spilled a handful of blood on the white floor.
“He’s making her worse!” Mrs. Lampton said and tried to yank off Alex’s hand from her daughter’s chest. Now she was not afraid of William.
Her daughter is more important!
Alex slowly removed his hand and Dianna sighed in relief. She stopped coughing.
The Lamptons were stunned, this young man did it?
Seeing Dianna is better, Dr. O’Donnell jumped out, he forgot just minute ago, he was trying to flee from here, in case Lamptons would blame him.
“We need to send her to a hospital immediately.” Dr. O’Donnell opined. “She needs to be examined right away before she grows worse.”
Alex pulled off the handkerchief attached to the breast pocket of his suit and began to clean off the particles of blood that fell on his hands.
“There’s no need to take her to a hospital,” Alex told Dr. O’Donnell.
“And who the hell are you?” Dr. O’Donnell retorted with his hands on his hips.
Alex ignored him and turned to the maiden who was now calm.
Alex moved to the bin by the edge of the door and threw the handkerchief inside. He turned to the maiden. “I need you to prepare Cicada. I want it fried.”
Dr. O’Donnell broke into a dry laugh. “Don’t tell me you want to give fried Cicada to Dianna. How can you cure someone with fried Cicada?”
Mrs. Lampton helped Dianna get up on the floor and then helped her lay with her back on the bed.
“What are you insinuating Alex?” Mr. Lampton countered. “At this point, I agree with Dr. O’Donnell. We need to transfer Dianna to a hospital ASAP.”
“Yes.” Mrs. Lampton agreed with a nod.
Alex sighed. “I need you guys to trust me. The fried Cicada will work.” He maintained and turned to the patient who was breathing heavily but regularly.
“Well, as a professional, I guarantee you guys that he’s talking nonsense.” Dr. O’Donnell stated.
William stepped up. “Listen to me, Mr. and Mrs. Lampton. Alex is someone I trust and believe me when I say I’m ready to vouch for his competence if he requests anything. Please do provide it because, at the end of the day, we all want Dianna to get better.”
Dr. O’Donnell broke out laughing. He turned to William. “You must be crazy.”
Mrs. Lampton was shocked by the way Dr. O’Donnell responded to William. Without second thoughts, Mr. Lampton walked up to Dr. O’Donnell and slapped him on the face.
Dr. O’Donnell was infuriated by Mr. Lampton’s reaction. As more sweat continued to team up on his forehead, he wanted to demand why Mr. Lampton struck him but then he made a quick analysis of the situation at hand. He realized that he was standing before the Almighty William Turner and only a fool would disagree with such a man so the doctor simply sighed and looked away with his bowels heating up with rage. Mr. Lampton then cleaned his forehead with the edge of his palm and turned toward William after heaving a sigh. His lips parted and just when he was about to mumble an apology, William stopped him short with a half-smile. “That’s okay,” William said and waved his hand down, motioning to Mr. Lampton to ignore the doctor. Meanwhile, Dr. O’Donnell was still holding onto the conviction that fried Cicada was not an option because as far as he was concerned, the cicada Alex was proposing was in no way related to the ailment at hand but he chose to stay quiet or might get hit again.
“I’m not sure if I can make it tonight,” Dianna said, her voice ringing hesitation. She moved to the edge of the bed and sat with a defeated sigh. “What’s the matter? You still feel sick?” William demanded after walking up to her.She swung her head from left to right. “I feel great but it’s just that I’m not sure about tonight’s event. I know it’s going to be a luxurious gathering but after this experience, I’m not sure.“You don’t have to worry about any form of sabotage.” William cut Dianna short after noticing her fear. “As the owner of White Moon Company, I assure you that your safety is guaranteed.”Dianna was struck by the statement. She knew that Whitemoon was a new money in the city but she didn’t know that William was the boss of it.“You own the company?”William blinked at her.“Then I better start getting ready.” She professed with a bright smile. After realizing that his services were no longer needed, Dr. O’Donnell stepped out of the room after mumbling that he was le
Alex was rendered speechless.Elisa flipped her hair and looked Alex straight in the face. “Seriously Alex. Is that what you are into now? Bartending job?”William clenched his teeth.Elisa noticed how Alex was fuming. Sweat had teamed up on his forehead and he was looking like a volcano that was about to erupt.“I’m not going to judge you, Alex.” Elisa continued. I understand how tough things must be for you out there. I mean Granny, the breadwinner is gone and you need more money because that hospital doesn’t pay you well obviously.”Alex cast his gaze to the floor, surrendering to the ridicule.“Well, if you work here as a waiter, a bartender, or a cleaner, I’m proud of you. At least you’re not out on the streets, begging.”“And why is he not in his work uniform?” Mark retorted.“I guess it’s his first shift tonight so he’s yet to be given a uniform,” Elisa replied.They busted out laughing.Elisa moved closer to Alex and folded her arms across her chest. “You should take your job
Throughout his speech, the guests had their attention fixated on William Turner. As a good public speaker, he had his way when addressing every crowd and tonight, he was doing yet another great job.Meanwhile, the guests William invited to the party comprised of singers, composers, producers, directors, actors, and other entertainers within the city. They were all celebrities and each of them dazzled in the finest designers and Jewelries. Each guest was allowed to come along with a date.“I wish you all a wonderful evening,” William concluded his speech and stepped down from the stage.The crowd gave him a standing ovation while cheers and applause reigned.As he made his way toward his table, he was intercepted by a group of people from the audience who had hurried to meet him. While some were forcing their way toward him to congratulate him for acquiring the White Moon company, others wanted the opportunity to formally meet him.All the people in the hall had a deep conviction that
As Dianna approached, Alex's entire demeanor transformed. His tense shoulders eased, and a warm smile spread across his face, illuminating his features. His eyes lit up with genuine delight, and he stood up straight, his posture exuding confidence. The sight of Dianna had a profound effect on him, and he visibly relaxed in her presence."Hey, Alex, I see you have company," Dianna said, her voice like music, filling the space with warmth and kindness. Her radiant smile only added to Alex's ease, "none more important than you, I assure you." he said beaming back at her, clearly enchanted.Elisa, on the other hand, seethed with fury as she watched the exchange. Her eyes narrowed, and her gaze darted between Alex and Dianna, her mind racing with questions. Why was Alex so comfortable around Dianna? Why was he smiling at her like that? A surge of jealousy coursed through her veins, and she felt her anger simmering just below the surface."Look at Alex, trying to schmooze with the rich and f
As Alex walked away, Mark's expression turned into a sneer. "Look at him, a lost puppy who thinks he's found a new friend," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.Elisa felt a pang of hurt and anger at Alex's dismissal. She didn't understand why Alex was so cool about leaving her, like he never cared about her at all. She tried to brush off the feeling, but it only seemed to intensify as she watched Alex laugh and chat with Dianna.Determined to hide her hurt, Elisa joined Mark in his mockery. "Yeah, look at him, thinking he's so special just because Dianna is talking to him," she said, her voice laced with venom.Mark snickered, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I know, right? He's like a little lapdog, following her around and wagging his tail."Elisa's hurt and anger boiled over, and she unleashed a torrent of insults at Alex's retreating back. Elisa's words were laced with malice, but deep down, she was trying to cover up the hurt she felt. She couldn't understand why Alex was
Williams stepped up to the microphone, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for joining us tonight at Whitemoon. Your support means the world to us, and we're thrilled to have you here to celebrate with us."As Williams continued to speak, Alex found himself drifting away from the crowd, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Dianna. She was standing in the back, sipping a glass of wine and chatting with a small group of people. Alex felt a spark of attraction as he watched her laugh and smile.He made his way over to her, his feet carrying him across the room without him even realizing it. "Hey," he said, tapping her on the shoulder. "Great performance tonight."Dianna turned to him, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Thanks, Alex. I'm glad you enjoyed it."As they chatted, Alex found himself getting more and more attracted to Dianna. He couldn't help but compare her to Elisa, his
Elisa woke up with a scowl etched on her face, her mind still reeling from the previous night's events. She had been so sure that she would finally get a chance to impress William and advance her career, but Alex had somehow managed to steal the spotlight again. And to make matters worse, he had done it with Dianna by his side, laughing and smiling like they were the only two people in the world.As she lay in bed, Elisa's sulking turned into a full-blown pout. She tossed and turned, her sheets tangled around her legs, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. How on earth was she going to take her career to the next level of she couldn't even secure and audience with Mr Williams? And why, oh why, was she still attracted to Alex?The questions swirled in her head like a toxic storm, making her stomach churn with anxiety. Elisa threw off the covers and got out of bed, stomping over to the window. She yanked open the curtains, letting the bright sunlight flood the room, but even its warmth couldn't
Alex stepped forward, his eyes locked on Williams'. "Please, Williams, don't involve the police. Elisa's already lost everything."Williams' expression remained stern, but a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. "You're defending her after what she did?"Alex nodded. "I know she made a mistake, but she's still part of your company. Think of the scandal, the damage to your reputation."Williams' gaze lingered on Elisa's crumbling form before returning to Alex. "You're right. But she can't go unpunished.""I agree," Alex said. "But let's handle this internally. You could take away her privileges or something."Williams' brow furrowed, weighing the options. "Very well. I'll revoke my decision to help Mark contact the Gladiator group."Mark's eyes widened in surprise. "That's severe."Williams' voice turned cold. "Be lucky I didn't do worse. And as for you Mark, you've been blinded by his your ambition. You needs to learn wealth isn't just about power."Williams' gaze hardened. "You're
Mark's face twisted in disdain."Diana, I'm shocked. Truly disappointed."Diana's eyes narrowed.Mark's voice dripped with condescension."Your association with...that... Alex."He gestured towards Alex."A lowlife, a degenerate, a bottom-feeder."Alex's face burned with humiliation.Mark continued, his words cutting deep."Someone as affluent as you, Diana, shouldn't be seen with trash like him."Diana's anger flared but she remained silent.But Mark wouldn't relent."Look at him, Diana. A loser, a failure, a waste of space."Alex's eyes flashed with anger.Mark's insults poured forth like venom."He's a parasite, a leech, a scavenger."Mark sneered."You're defending this...this...rabble?"Alex's face reddened.Mark's words cut deeper."A nobody, a zero, a worthless excuse for a human being. He's a liability, a burden, a millstone around your neck."Elisa chimed in."Diana, don't be blind. Mark's right."Diana's gaze turned icy.Mark's expression turned ugly."You're tarnishing your
Mark's men closed in on Alex, their hands reaching for his pockets."Time to search you, Alex," Mark said, his voice cold.Elisa's eyes gleamed with triumph."Finally, we'll find the proof we need."But just as the search was about to begin, Williams strode into the room."Halt!" he commanded, his authoritative voice echoing off the walls.Mark's men paused, unsure.Williams' gaze swept the room, his expression stern."What's going on here?"Mark stepped forward."We're searching Alex for the stolen ring."Williams' eyes narrowed."On whose authority?"Elisa spoke up."Mine. I'm the victim."Williams turned to her."Elisa, you're not the law. We can't just search someone without evidence."Mark intervened."We have reason to believe Alex is involved."Williams' skepticism was palpable."Reason to believe? That's not enough."Alex spoke up."I didn't take the ring. I swear."Williams' gaze lingered on Alex before returning to Mark."I won't let you railroad an innocent man."Elisa's fa
Diana and Alex walked back into the office, laughing and chatting, until they were confronted with chaos."What's going on?" Diana asked, eyes wide with surprise.A colleague rushed past them."Elisa's ring is missing. She's frantic."Alex's brow furrowed."Ring? What ring?"Before they could ask more questions, Elisa's wails pierced the air."My ring! My precious ring!"She rushed toward them, tears streaming down her face."Oh, Diana! Alex! It's gone! Mark's gift to me!"I have to call him. He'll be devastated!"Elisa's phone was already in her hand, dialing.Diana's concern softened."Elisa, I'm so sorry. We'll help find it."Elisa's gaze locked onto Alex."You! You were here around lunchtime!"Did you see anything?"Alex's eyes narrowed."Of course, I didn't take your ring."Elisa's voice rose."I'm not accusing you... yet."The tension was palpable.Diana intervened."Let's stay calm. We'll figure this out."Elisa's phone connected."Mark! My ring's gone!"Her voice cracked."I n
Elisa breezed into the office, a bright smile plastered on her face. She made a beeline for Diana's desk."Good morning, Diana! You look lovely today," Elisa cooed, her voice dripping with sweetness.Diana's eyes narrowed slightly, wary of Elisa's sudden change in behavior. "Thanks, Elisa. You're...looking well yourself."Elisa's smile never wavered. "I'm feeling fabulous, thanks for asking. Can I grab you for a coffee break later?"Diana hesitated, unsure what to make of Elisa's sudden friendliness. "Uh, sure. That sounds nice."Elisa beamed. "Wonderful! I'll come by your office at 11."As Elisa walked away, Diana's gaze lingered, suspicion simmering beneath her polite facade.What was Elisa up to?Diana couldn't shake the feeling that Elisa was plotting something.Throughout the morning, Elisa continued her charm offensive.She offered to help Diana with tasks, complimented her on her work, and even brought her favorite coffee.Diana played along, intrigued by Elisa's sudden change.
Mark's mind wandered back to the humiliating encounter with William, his stomach churning with resentment."Apologize to Alex?" Mark thought, replaying the conversation in his head. "For what? For him showing up where he wasn't wanted?"The memory of Alex's smug expression and condescending tone still grated on Mark's nerves."Why did I let him push me around like that?" Mark wondered, feeling a surge of anger.He recalled Alex's smirk, the kid's knowing glint that said, "I've got the upper hand." Mark's frustration boiled over."What did I do to deserve this?" Mark asked himself, feeling victimized.The apology still lingered in his mind, a bitter taste he couldn't shake."I shouldn't have done it," Mark thought, regret gnawing at him. "I should have stood my ground."Mark's thoughts swirled with "what ifs" and "maybes," but one thing was certain: he wouldn't let William or Alex walk all over him again.The pain of that apology still lingered, but Mark vowed to transform it into fuel
James's expression turned stern, his voice firm. "Mark, Mark, Mark... You're so dumb. Storming out like that? What were you thinking?"Mark's face reddened, defensive. "They questioned my integrity, Dad. Called me a scammer."Mr sanders shook his head, disgust etched on his face. "That's exactly what I mean. You let your emotions control you. A business owner has to take risks, absorb insults, and keep moving forward."Mark's anger resurfaced. "You don't understand, Dad. They were disrespecting me."James's voice rose. "Disrespect? Ha! You think that's disrespect? Wait till you're really tested. Wait till someone tries to sabotage your business or steal your ideas."Mark's eyes widened, taken aback by his father's ferocity.Mr Sanders continued, "You need to toughen up, Mark. Develop a backbone. No one owes you success. You have to fight for it."Mark's defensiveness began to fade, replaced by a hint of understanding.James's expression hardened. "Look, son. I know you're passionate.
Mark stormed out of his house, still fuming from his encounter with Alex. He couldn't believe he'd apologized to that...that...slum kid.As he walked to William's house, his anger simmered.William answered the door, a look of concern etched on his face. "Mark, what's wrong?"Mark brushed past him. "You said you knew someone who could help me with the Gladiators Group. When are you going to give me their contact?"William ushered Mark into the living room. "Let me check on that."Mark paced around the room, his impatience growing.William excused himself, disappearing into his study.Behind the closed door, William dialed a number, a sly grin spreading across his face."Hey, Sam," he said, using a fake name. "I need a favor."The person on the other end, actually William's old friend, Tom, played along. "What's up, Will?"William explained the situation. "Theres someone who's been pestering me about getting in touch with the Gladiators Group. Can you pretend to be someone connected to
The next day, Dianna walked into the recording studio, feeling energized after a productive morning. She finished laying down the vocals for her new song and was packing up her things when Alex approached her."Hey, Dianna," Alex said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You sounded amazing in there."Dianna smiled, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. "Thanks, Alex."Alex hesitated for a moment before asking, "Would you like to grab dinner with me after work? Maybe I can show you a different side of town."Dianna's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Alex to ask her out."Sure," she said, trying to sound casual.Alex grinned. "Great. I'll pick you up at 5."As the day drew to a close, Dianna found herself counting down the minutes until their dinner date.At 5 sharp, Alex arrived at her doorstep, looking handsome in a simple white shirt and jeans."Ready?" he asked, opening the car door for her.Dianna nodded, feeling a thrill of excitement.As they drove through the city, the