Meanwhile, dressed in a simple outfit, Eva was seated on her bed scrolling through her cell phone, searching for job vacancies. It was a weekday and she would usually be buried in a pile of paperwork in her office at this time of the day. Unfortunately, that was no longer going to be the case for an uncertain period of time since she had now become jobless. Apparently, Eva came across the news that Pegasus Enterprise was going to hold an interview session to hire employees for Cross Corporation. It made her heart sink to think that just a day ago that company belonged to her family and she held the position of being one of the company’s project managers. Suddenly, she jolted from being startled by the abrupt sound of her room door being pushed open. “For heaven's sake mom, you could have at least knocked?” Eva complained. “Oh my goodness! What are you wearing? You have a guest waiting for you downstairs so you need to get dressed in much more suitable clothes.” Kate said with
After hearing Dustin's words, Eva couldn't argue that it was a heartwarming reason. She would have felt completely touched if only she didn't know that aside from the reason stated, Dustin also had some other ulterior motive. Nonetheless, she still had to appreciate Dustin's visit. “Thank you very much. As you can see, I'm doing quite alright.” “Of course, you would be! You are a very strong-willed woman and that is why I admire you so much.” Dustin complimented, trying to flatter Eva. “I brought you a small present.” He announced, revealing a small fancy looking box from his jacket. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the box with lingering curiosity to know the contents inside the box. Dustin opened the box, revealing an elegant gold chain bracelet with a heart shaped green emerald pendant that was glittering and shining luminously in the box. Kate immediately gasped in admiration after seeing the bracelet. Her eyes filled with greed.“Oh my God! That looks very beautiful.” She co
The room was instantly engulfed by the sound of Chris mocking laughter. He was very impressed with Eva's response although he didn't doubt her since he knew that she wasn't easily lured by materialistic items. “Bastard, what's so funny about this situation? You don't deserve to be standing next to Eva but this is the end of the road.” Dustin asked in an infuriated tone while also glaring menacingly at Chris. “It is very daring of you to make a love confession to my wife despite my presence in the room. However, I find it much more amusing that you claim to be expressing your sincere feelings to her by gifting her a fake bracelet while pretending it's original and yet you still got rejected in the end.” Chris remarked, his words striking a chord of confusion in the mind of everyone present in the room. “You can't fool everyone here.” Instantly, Dustin became very nervous but he tried to hide it. “W-What are you talking about? My feelings for Eva are true and sincere.” He proudly
“Mom, why are you doing this?” Eva tried to meddle but Kate also snapped at her with her eyes blaring in flames of anger. “Stay out of this, Eva!How could he lay hands on Dustin? What if the Ambrose family tries to retaliate back at us. We no longer have the support of the Carter family so how do you expect us to defend ourselves?” Kate pointed out. Eva knew that Kate’s words made a lot of sense but she was confident that Dustin wouldn't do anything like that Chris sighed as watched his mother-in-law throw a fit of anger. He understood that she was worried for the family so he couldn't blame her. However, In situations like this, it was best to avoid her until she was more relaxed so he willingly walked out of the house. “Chris!” Eva called when she saw Chris leaving the house “Don't worry! I'll just wait outside the house for a while” Chris informed her before leaving. He stood outside the front porch of the house staring at the sky that was gradually losing its brightness
At the same time the Carters were holding a meeting at the mansion concerning the interview that would take place at the Cross Corporation. The company previously belonged to them and so there was still a lingering attachment to it that made them still look for ways to claim it back. “Father, I just spoke with the representative of StarTech Corporation. They are also saying that they’re terminating their cooperation with us. They’re the tenth company that wants to terminate cooperation with us over the past few days. What should we do?” Bryce asked Dominic anxiously. This was the current state of the Carter family. As words spread about how they breached the contract with the Pegasus Enterprise a few days ago and compensated it with the Cross Corporation, they became the laughing stock of Brooklyn. Their status had also plunged significantly, and to make matters worse, they had offended the Pegasus Enterprise. Thus, many of their former business partners decided to cease their co
Chris had a stern expression on his face after hearing Dustin’s words. He was aware of the fact that the Ambrose family was clinching a collaboration with Pegasus Enterprise and It was no wonder why Dustin was very confident about helping Eva get a job at Cross Enterprise. Dustin was trying to tempt Eva with the offer of getting her position at Cross Corporation to make her accept his marriage proposal. He intentionally decided to help Eric become general manager of Cross Corporation in order to irk Eva. However, he couldn't allow such a nuisance to stick around him so he made a mental note to fix this situation. “It would be wise for you to accept Dustin's proposal. Maybe our grandfather will consider letting you back into the Carter family if you marry into the Ambrose family. The Ambrose would soon rise to become a top tier elite family in Brooklyn with the connection with Pegasus Enterprise and it would be great to form family ties with them.” Eric also pitched in his own opi
“Silly brat! You know how to flatter someone?" Bill laughed but his facial expression immediately turned sour when he saw the text message on his phone. It was a message from Pegasus Enterprise stating that his employment had been terminated. Bill immediately sprung up from his seat. He was totally confused by the current situation. “This can't be happening! Why?....Why am I being terminated?” He mumbled incoherently. “Is there anything wrong, Uncle?" Dustin asked in a concerned tone after observing the sudden change in Bill's demeanor. “I have to go right now!” Bill ignored Dustin. Instead, he grabbed his car key and headed straight to Pegasus Enterprise to confirm what was happening. Shortly afterwards, Dustin also got a phone call back from his father. “What is happening, Dustin?! Did you do something to offend Pegasus Enterprise?” The voice on the phone was speaking in a very harsh tone. “No, father. I haven't done anything wrong.” Dustin replied, feeling slightly confu
Everyone in the room gasped. They were curious to see who had just spent such a high amount of money on one single item but no matter how hard they looked, none of them could see Chris. However, they all became aware of the fact that a tycoon was present in their midst. As the auction continued Chris continued bidding on more items. There were times where several individuals wanted to vie for him and thought they could outbid him. Eventually, they gave up instantly as soon as they realized that Chris was far more wealthy than they assumed. Finally, it was time for the last item to be revealed - the undying Heart of Pierre. Everyone was awed when they set their eyes on the red diamond necklace. Chris didn't bother waiting for Thomas to describe the item before announcing his bid. “Two hundred million dollars for ‘The Undying Heart of Pierre’ necklace.” He announced. The necklace originally cost fifty million dollars but Chris was offering to buy it for three times the original a
As Chris drove toward the Carter family’s new residence, the tension in the car was palpable. Chris’s jaw was set, his thoughts churning. He knew where they lived—it wasn’t hard to find—but confronting them so directly was a calculated risk.When he arrived, the mansion loomed in quiet grandeur, its façade belying the chaos within. Benjamin Carter himself opened the door, his expression shifting from surprise to unease as he recognized Chris.“You…,” Benjamin began cautiously, surprised to see Chris alone at their house. The last time Chris paid a visit to the Carter ended up becoming a tragic incident for the Carters. “What brings you here?”Chris didn’t respond, brushing past him into the house. Benjamin, caught off guard, quickly closed the door and followed him into the living room.Elliot lingered near the entrance, his posture relaxed but vigilant. Benjamin was surprised to see Elliot as well. “Mr…Mr Brown….” He stuttered, casting him a wary glance, noticing the subtle differen
Chris knew that his peaceful life with Eva would surely be disrupted. He could put Eva and her loved ones in a lot of danger. Moreover, leaving now, with Eva dealing with the Carter situation, felt equally impossible as he didn't want to leave her unprotected.“Sir?” Ethan’s voice broke through his thoughts. “What are your orders?”Chris hesitated, his voice betraying the conflict he felt. “Stay on this and keep me updated. I need to think.”“Understood, sir,” Ethan said, his tone respectful. “And for what it’s worth, I know how much sir, James means to you. We’ll do everything we can to bring him back.”Chris ended the call and sat in silence for a long moment. The thought of James—strong, unyielding James—being captured felt like a punch to the gut. But the thought of leaving Eva behind, especially now, felt just as wrong. He was at a crossroads, and no matter which path he chose, the stakes were unbearably high.---Eva, meanwhile, sat at her desk, trying to focus on the tasks in
Chris kept his focus on the road, but his thoughts repeatedly drifted to Eva seated beside him. Her gaze was distant, her fingers nervously fiddling with the strap of her handbag. He could tell the morning's encounter with the Carters was weighing heavily on her.After a few moments of silence, Chris spoke, his voice calm and steady. “Eva, I know it’s a lot to process, but you don’t have to keep it all bottled up. Talk to me.”Eva sighed and shifted in her seat. “It’s just… they showed up out of nowhere. Again. It’s exhausting, Chris. I keep wondering why now, why after all these years?”Chris glanced at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road. “People like the Carters often realize the value of what they’ve lost only when it’s too late. But you don’t owe them anything, Eva. Not an explanation, not a second chance—nothing.”Eva shook her head, frustration creeping into her tone. “It’s not that simple. They’re still my family, even if they’ve hurt me. And now with them grovel
Benjamin quickly intervened, his tone desperate. “Please, Eva, don’t let his foolish words ruin this. I’m truly sorry for everything. I know I failed you, and I failed Bruce. We should have stood by you instead of casting you out. Please, give us a chance to make things right.”“I don't think everyone agrees with the motive of apologizing for your wrongdoings so I can't believe that your apologies are sincere.” Bruce remarked.Benjamin turned to Eric, his expression hardening. “Eric,” he said, his voice stern. “You owe them an apology.”Eric's usually confident demeanor was gone, replaced by a nervous energy that made him look small and uncertain. Benjamin turned to him, his expression hardening.Eric’s eyes darted between Eva, Kate, and Bruce. “I—”“Now,” Benjamin commanded.Eric swallowed hard, his gaze finally landing on Eva. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.Eva’s eyes narrowed. “Sorry? For what, exactly?”“For everything,” Eric said, his voice shaking. “For
Benjamin hesitated, taking in the luxurious yet understated decor that surrounded them. This was Chris’s doing—he could see it in every detail. The man had built a fortress, a sanctuary for Eva and her family.They were foolish to not have recognized his talent and worth all these years that had him living amongst them.“I came to apologize,” Benjamin said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. “To you, to your family. And... to make things right.”Kate let out a bitter laugh. “Make things right? That’s rich, coming from you. Do you think showing up here with an apology is enough to undo everything you’ve done?”“I don’t,” Benjamin admitted, his gaze dropping to the floor. “But I had to try. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to hear me out.”Eva folded her arms, studying him with a cold, calculating gaze. “Then speak.”Benjamin could see that it was impossible to get through Eva judging by the cold stare in her eyes. He stepped forward. “Bruc
As the night deepened, Eric and the two representatives sat in their car, the weight of their desperation growing heavier with each passing moment. They had hoped that Eva would still come out of the building as they didn't want to admit that she could be living in such an expensive mansion.However, it finally dawned upon them that Eva wasn't coming out after waiting for several hours. Eric felt bitter as it pained him to see that Eva was living the life of luxury….. the kind he always dreamed about.The Carter's drove back home in subtle silence and even though nothing was said the other representative could feel Eric burning rage but the main problem was thinking about how Benjamin would react when he heard the news of their discovery.****The Morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the luxurious mansion, casting a golden glow over the spacious interiors. Eva had just finished her breakfast and was preparing to leave for work when she noticed something unusual. From the l
Eva returned home that evening, her mind clouded with thoughts of the Carters' audacious behavior earlier that day. The memory of Eric's arrogant tone and his entitlement grated on her nerves, but she was determined not to let it ruin her evening. She stepped into the warm, inviting ambiance of the mansion, finding Chris seated in the living room, a glass of wine in hand and an air of calm about him.“Welcome back,” Chris greeted, his voice soft as he looked up at her. His sharp eyes immediately noted the tension in her posture. “Rough day?”Eva exhaled and sat down beside him, kicking off her heels. “You could say that,” she replied, leaning back against the plush cushions. “The Carters were at Cross Corporation again today.”Chris’s hand tightened slightly around his glass, though he kept his expression neutral. “What did they want this time?”“They were begging for a meeting,” Eva said, shaking her head. “I refused to see them, but they didn’t leave. They waited in the reception ar
As the Carters waited in the reception area of Cross Corporation, the tension in the air was palpable. Time seemed to crawl as they sat in near silence, the occasional murmur of distant phone calls and the soft hum of the building’s air conditioning system providing little comfort. Eric, his hands clenched into tight fists, could hardly sit still. The humiliation of being here—forced to beg for forgiveness from Eva, a woman who had once been part of their family, yet now was their greatest obstacle—was eating away at him. Every minute that ticked by felt like an eternity. The receptionist, efficient and unfazed by their presence, had told them that Eva was unavailable. That alone was enough to set Eric’s nerves on edge. Alan, the other representative accompanying him, tried to keep the peace, suggesting they wait patiently. “This is our only shot, Eric,” he said quietly. “We can't afford to make things worse.” But Eric was past the point of patience. The weight of their family's ru
The incident at the Carter residence had left a trail of rumors and whispers that had quickly spread through the high society of Brooklyn. Every elite family, once rivals or allies of the Carters, now speculated about the cause of the downfall. But no one dared to point fingers at the one responsible, especially not at Chris, the lowly son-in-law. After all, who would ever suspect a man living under another family’s roof? Yet, beneath the surface, Chris was the mastermind behind the fall of two once-proud families—the Ambroses and the Carters.Days had passed since the fall of the Carter family, and their reputation, once untouchable, was now a shadow of its former self. Their vast wealth had been seized by the banks, leaving them with nothing more than a dilapidated Victorian house to call home. Benjamin, the patriarch of the Carter family, sat in the small living room of their new residence, surrounded by his relatives. The room was filled with heavy silence, as each person seemed l