The power and prestige Dan Stone enjoyed had been built upon the foundation of his relationship with Nathaniel, Jeremy's father. For years, Dan had served as his most trusted aide, loyal and devoted to the man who had given him a new lease on life. When Nathaniel had finally decided to retire, he had gifted Dan with a generous sum of money, connections, and a reputation that had allowed him to establish his own empire.It was this bond, this shared history, that had forged a deep sense of duty and gratitude in Dan towards Nathaniel and, by extension, Jeremy.The moment he had received the message from Jefferson, Dan Stone knew he had to act swiftly. With Jeremy being a guest of the Nathaniel family, he recognized that this was a crucial moment for him to prove his loyalty and devotion to his former employer's legacy.Without hesitation, Dan had excused himself from a crucial business meeting, knowing that this opportunity was more valuable than any deal he could strike in his office
Steve seethed in anger, his mouth curling into a knot. He burned to speak, to lash out at Jeremy for putting the bill on his neck, but the presence of Dan Stone and his intimidating bodyguard kept him rooted in place.His jaw clenched, fists balling at his sides, he shot fiercely at Jeremy with his gaze, his disgust made clear in every tensed muscle of his body. Yet, he held his tongue, because of the fear of further consequences.Dan Stone watched the exchange, a perplexing smile playing on his lips. Mrs. Peterson, her voice a trembling whisper, spoke up, mustering her courage to address Jeremy. "I apologize for the disturbance. I thought the bet was for you to pay the bill since Steve forgot his wallet. I assure you, once we get home, I’ll make sure he sends the money back," she pleaded, the words escaping in a desperate rush.Although she knew full well that she and her son were in no position to repay such a large sum, she was desperate to find a way out of this escalating situat
Mrs. Peterson’s fury was a force of nature, her words like fiery arrows. "We were minding our own business when you called us here! You and your arrogant son-in-law have brought shame upon our family name. He humiliated us with that contract, just like you intended!"Avery, fed up with her ranting, turned to her with an icy stare. "No one forced that document on Steve. He gambled and lost. Stop acting like you’re the victim here."Mrs. Peterson’s rage was reaching its boiling point, her words becoming more and more venomous. "Shut your mouth, you spoiled little princess! This was all a setup from the start, wasn't it? You and your grandfather planned to extort money from us to prop up your pathetic company!" she seethed, the bitterness of her words souring the air.Avery, stung by her accusations, returned the venom in kind. "Why can't you just admit that your golden boy got what he deserved?Mrs. Peterson, her face flushed with fury, glared at Avery. "How dare you! My son is a good
Jeremy shook his head and laughed in a scornful way. "Mrs. Williams, I'm not tearing up that contract. I don't understand why you're so angry about this when Steve says he can easily pay the money. According to him, he has plenty of money."Mrs. Williams' grip on Jeremy's shirt tightened even more as she spat out her words. "Just tear up that contract and leave us alone!"Jeremy, his voice still calm but with a hint of mockery, replied, "Mrs. Williams, this is not up for debate. Steve signed the contract himself and he will pay. If he doesn't, he will face the consequences."Mrs. Peterson, her anger renewed, joined in the verbal assault on Jeremy. " You're nothing but a poor church rat who got lucky by marrying into a rich family. You're arrogant and proud for no reason!"Jeremy's expression remained unchanged, his voice still even and controlled. "Your insults do not change the fact that I hold the power here. I made a bet with Steve and he lost. It's as simple as that."Jeremy smirk
Jeremy's response was swift and resolute, his hand tightening its grip around Avery's as if to shield her from her family's prying eyes. "I answer only to my wife. I owe nobody an explanation, especially those who would seek to see me fail," he declared, his tone a mix of confidence and defiance.With a gentle tug, he led Avery away from the gathering, a silent but clear signal that the conversation was over. As they walked, Avery looked up at her husband with a mixture of admiration and uncertainty, wondering what secrets he was keeping from her.As Jeremy guided Avery away from the lingering cloud of drama, he could sense her curiosity and concern. He stopped for a moment, his hand gently cupping her cheek, his expression softening."My love," he began, his voice low and intimate, "I promise you, all of these ain't intended to harm you."Avery's heart fluttered at his tenderness, but still, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was more to this story."How I'm, I 'm even
As Mrs. Williams spoke to the bouncer, Avery's instincts kicked into high gear. Without hesitation, she boldly moved between the two men, placing herself as a human shield in front of Jeremy."My husband is no imposter!" she declared, her voice echoing with defiance. Mrs. Williams stood her ground, her piercing gaze locked on the guard. "He's lying, just like I told you earlier. If anything goes wrong, it's because of him. I insist you take him away now!"The bouncer, seemingly unfazed by the commotion surrounding him, fixed his gaze on Jeremy, his expression betraying a hint of confusion. "My boss specifically asked me to hand this over to you, sir," the guard said, producing a sleek, black card that bore the restaurant's logo. He held it out towards Jeremy, as if offering a talisman of some sort. " What's this?" Avery questioned. "This is a black card. It's a highly exclusive membership, only given to the most elite individuals. It signifies unlimited access to the restaurant,
“Daddy,” Mia whispered, her eyes slowly fluttering open to the tender sensation of her father’s hand. A warm smile danced across her lips as she made eye contact with Jeremy.“Oh, my princess, you’re awake!” Jeremy exclaimed, delighted to see his daughter conscious again. Mia responded with a gentle nod, her eyes filled with love for her father."Are those tears in your eyes Daddy? Why are you crying? " Mia asked innocently and Jeremy chuckled. Mia’s innocent inquiry brought a smile to Jeremy’s face, which quickly morphed into a chuckle. “You sure ask a lot of questions for a sleepy little girl,” he teased, wiping away the traces of moisture from his eyes.“But seriously, Daddy, why are you crying?” Mia asked her tone now more somber. Jeremy’s smile faded as he looked down at his daughter, thinking of the best way to explain his emotions. “Sometimes, life is complicated and full of things that make people sad,” he said."Men don't cry. Only women do! " Mia said and her parent chuck
As the first rays of morning light began to spill through the hospital window, Jeremy and Avery found themselves still deeply asleep. The events of the previous day had drained them both physically and emotionally, and the quiet of the night had brought a much-needed respite. It was the gentle sound of Mia's voice that woke her parents from their slumber. Jeremy and Avery, though still fatigued from the previous day, managed to rouse themselves. They quickly made their way into the private bathroom attached to Mia's ward, where they took turns freshening up. The routine, despite the unfamiliar surroundings, brought a sense of normalcy to the morning. The ward that had been assigned to Mia was, indeed, fit for royalty. The hospital, renowned for its VIP service, had spared no expense in ensuring that Mia's recovery was as comfortable as possible.The room boasted a large, plush bed, surrounded by exquisite furnishings that spoke of both comfort and luxury. A small but tastefully