"Cass? What's wrong?"In response, Cassie just shook her head from side to side.But Mark noticed the concern in her eyes and, with a gentle smile, he asked, "What's on your mind, let me in?"Cassie hesitated for a moment before she replied, "I'm just a bit concerned about all these changes, Mark. It's a lot to take in, and I worry about how it might affect the company and everyone who works there. I mean, we have a lot of old workers there, who have been with us from the beginning, and this overhaul…"She let her sentences trail off, and Mark understood immediately. He reached out and took Cassie's hand, reassuring her, "I understand your concerns, Cass. Change can be unsettling, but I want you to know that we're in this together. I won't make decisions that will impact the company without consulting you and considering your perspective."Cassie's expression softened as she looked into Mark's eyes. "Really? That would mean a lot to me."Mark nodded;"Yes, really. Tomorrow, I'll ta
Disappointed by her own blood relation once again, Mariella made her way throughout the house, looking for Mark.At the end, she found him in the garden outside, sitting alone and thinking about something.For one moment, her heart was full of resentment; how did he think he deserved to stay peacefully after snatching all her power away from her?He was solely responsible for her family being in pieces today, and for making her so helpless that she had to approach him and ask for a favor.While she herself would have laughed at this thought, if someone had said it to her a month ago.But time isn't partial to anyone; and soon, she would be back in her position of superiority. This was the only thought that brought her some comfort, and she approached the bench he was sitting on."Mark… I hope I'm not disturbing you."Although he wasn't pleased to see her there, Mark maintained a formal tone for the sake of civility, and replied;"Please sit." Mariella did as she was told, then began i
In the soft morning light that filtered through the bedroom curtains, Mark stood before the mirror, meticulously knotting his tie. This was the second last step in his routine of getting ready for the day, before stepping out of the house. Meanwhile, Cassie leaned against the bedroom doorway with two mugs of coffee in her hand, and a subtle smile playing on her lips. She knew that Mark had already noticed her presence, but she wanted to stay there for a few more moments, to properly admire the way the warm morning sunlight highlighted Mark's features. She couldn't help but wonder, what she had done to have met him in her life, and have him as her husband. She finally decided to step in and announce her presence, "Need some help with that?" Cassie asked, her voice a gentle melody that blended with the quiet hum of the morning.Mark met her gaze in the mirror, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. "Always, my Lady! I want everything to be perfect, as I want to make a good impression."
"Connor, my friend, finally you are here!"With an enthusiastic greeting announcing his arrival, Connor Lawrence, who was freshly released on bail, approached Andrew with a sense of gratitude mixed with loyalty. He was ready to trade his own soul to satan in return for this bail, and while his own father had betrayed him, Anthony was the only pillar of support in his life.He didn't know how he was going to pay off this debt or express his gratitude, but he still tried to use his words to convey it. "Anthony, I owe you. Getting me out of that legal mess regarding that murder… it was no small feat. I'm here to show my appreciation for your support."Anthony leaned back, assessing Connor with a calculated gaze with a lazy smile on his lips. "Appreciation, you say? As far as I know, you have always been one for reciprocity, Connor. What do you have in mind?"Connor's eyes gleamed with a malevolent spark. "Mark Wright! The person who's been a thorn in our sides for too long. I'm ready
Sylvia had been frozen for a moment after hearing Andrew's voice, but on the other hand, Robert quickly concealed the transaction, a smooth smile on his face. "Andrew, my boy! Of course, join us! We were just discussing some exciting upcoming projects."As Andrew settled into the conversation, more drinks were brought to the table and the exchange continued, masked beneath layers of corporate small talk. However, the air held a subtle tension – a silent understanding that many dark secrets were lurking beneath the superficial friendship. Sylvia, glancing at Robert with a careful nod, subtly redirected the conversation toward more innocuous topics. "Andrew, have you seen the latest production plans? Robert and I, we were just talking about how we can achieve a more seamless collaboration between marketing and production so that our resources can be put to the best use."Andrew, eager to contribute, leaned in. "That's fantastic. Grandmother always emphasizes the importance of synerg
Mariella was already waiting for Mark to leave the house. She knew how easy it was to manipulate Cassie when her husband was not around her.And this was the perfectly right time to remind her of the debts she owed to the Holmes family, and specifically, she herself.After all, she had raised the girl to be manipulated by herself, at every turn, every moment of her life.Otherwise, why would she raise a completely unwanted child, if not to turn her into a personal cash cow?! That's why, as soon as Mark's car left the mansion, she headed towards Cassie's room. Seeing that the door was locked, she purposefully registered three persistent knocks on it, knowing that she had never done this even once in her entire life.The whole game was to make her feel bad, insecure and insensitive at once, while showing her how she was fortunate enough to get a grandmother like her.Otherwise, an unwanted, orphaned girl like her would have been left somewhere in the cold hard world to decay like a de
Violet sank into the plush chair in her room, her fingers tracing the edges of the mysterious envelope that held the reality of Cassie's life, which probably, she was also unaware of.The gentle shades of the dressing room lights created a pleasant ambience, highlighting the gravity of the revelations within her grasp. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the journey that she had to take ahead.Clutched tightly in her hands were the damning pieces of evidence— the photographs, documents, and a letter— that hinted at a truth she was reluctant to accept, even after she had gone through all of them thrice.The weight of the unknown bore down on her shoulders, and the soft glow of the lights played on her face, casting shadows that mirrored the conflict within her heart.As Violet contemplated the next steps, the door creaked open, and her co- star George entered, his eyes immediately drawn to Violet's troubled expression. "Violet, what's going on? You look like you've seen a gh
Mariella stood up from her place after she was assured that she had successfully planted the seed of misunderstanding in Cassie's mind.Even though Cassie was struggling to believe the accuracy of her words on the surface, the tiny seedling of doubt had already germinated in her brain, and was ready to grow into a healthy plant in some hours, while the tree would also grow in some days.In any case, the apple of misunderstanding would always be the most poisonous apple of the world.Thinking this, she spoke her last sentence like she was placing the last nail on the coffin. "Cassie! My sweetheart, grandma just wants you to live happily and in the luxurious manner you are habituated to, since your childhood.If not for you, I would have grown old while living under any conditions God wants me to…"With a sigh, she got up from the chair and pretended to walk towards the door."Now, I think I should leave you alone; after all, it is almost time for your breakfast, and I have already del