《Contract Marriage; Fated Love》


 Chapter 1

    She stood at the door and listened again. Sure enough, the noise wasing from the room. She could hear their moans and pping noises. She opened the door to meet an unwholesome and unholy sight. There, on the bed was her supposed finance, making out with a strange woman. They were so engrossed in the act that they failed to notice her presence.


    ¡­.


    Emily couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. She stamped her foot hard on the floor. That  attracted their attention. Jayden gave her a look one would give a fly that fell into his food. They didn¡¯t even bother to cover up.


    ¡°What is wrong with you?¡± Jayden asked in anger.


    ¡°Really! Jayden?¡± Emily returned.


    Finally, Jayden had the decency to put on his trousers. He flung the bed sheet at thedy indicating that she gets covered too.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see you are interrupting us?¡± thedy on the bed asked. She was visibly angry to have her moment with the billionaire interrupted.


    ¡°Get out,¡± Jayden said tly.


    ¡°It is her who should get out and not me. I am your fianc¨¦e for goodness sake, Jayden,¡± Emily fumed.


    ¡°Fianc¨¦e indeed,¡± thedy sneered. ¡°Who do you think you are? Some lowly pauper trying to get married to Jayden Mason? He might marry you but he will never love you. Know your ce.¡±


    Emily turned to Jayden,


    ¡°Can¡¯t you show me some respect? Our wedding is in two days.¡±


    ¡± So¡­.¡± thedy began.


    ¡°¡­ Shut your trap,¡± Emily cut in.  ¡°You should be silent and ashamed of your silly self. Going around with just anyone.¡±


    ¡°Jayden. She is bullying me!¡±  thedy said, trying to act coquettish.


    ¡°Get out Emily,¡± Jayden said again.


    Emily was annoyed that Jayden had  chosen to defend thedy and not her, his wife to be.


    ¡°I will no longer marry you,¡± she stated firmly.


    Jayden  smiled. ¡°You what?  You wouldn¡¯t dare.¡±


    ¡°Watch me do so,¡± Emily responded.


    ¡°No one will marry you if I reject you. No one dares. Behave yourself and get out now while I am being nice or I will make you regret it,¡± Jayden threatened.


    Emily thought about his words and realised it was true. No one would dare to marry her if she were rejected by a man as powerful as Jayden Mason. She turned and walked out of the room. But she was determined not to go ahead with the marriage.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Emily hailed a taxi to take her home. She sat silently and tears rolled down her face. She was only a young girl of 21 years. Yet, fate had never smiled at her since she was born. Her parents despised her and she never knew peace at home. She had to work to fend for herself. Despite that, her family still wanted to use her to attain financial independence and abundance. They were determined to use her to thest drop of her blood. Her mother, father and sister were all guilty. None, not even one was left out. She was not in anyone¡¯s good books. Her crime and what she had done to deserve such ill treatment, she knew not.


    ¡°Here,¡± the kind hearted driver offered her a tissue paper. It was then she realised she had been crying. She took the tissue and forced a smile.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said politely. At least, one person had been nice to her today. If only her parents could also learn and be nice to her¡­


    ¡°We are here,¡± the driver announced, jolting her from her thoughts. Emily took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. She was back to her hell of a home.


    She opened the door and met three pairs of eyes, staring at her with extreme hostility.


    ¡°Good evening, mum and Dad,¡± she greeted and tried to sneak off to her room.


    The family were at the table having dinner. Her elder sister, Rose rolled her eyes at her.


    ¡°Why are you at home? You should be spending the night at the Mason¡¯s mansion,¡± her mother, Olivia Grant, was quick to point out. She did not bother hiding the cruelty in her voice. She wanted to get rid of Emily at all costs.


    ¡°I am not getting married to him any longer,¡± replied Emily.


    ¡°What!¡± Olivia and Rose screamed in unison.


    ¡°You must be joking. I will not let you ruin our chances in this family. You will not put us to shame. Yes. You won¡¯t. Hurry out now and go back to the Mason¡¯s family,¡±  Olivia said spitefully.


    Emily didn¡¯t bulge.  Olivia was surprised. Emily had always obeyed all her life.


    ¡°No mother. I am not getting married¡­ ¡±


    Rose cut her short with a p. ¡°How dare you challenge our mother? Father?¡± Rose said, calling her father for help.


    Mr Williams Harper looked on in silence. His heart bled a bit for Emily, his youngest daughter. Emily too called on her father. He was herst hope.


    ¡°Father, I can not marry Jayden. He will not treat me well,¡± she cried.


    ¡°Treat you well indeed. You don¡¯t deserve any better, you good for nothing child,¡± Olivia spat.


    Emily¡¯s heart ached to hear these words from her own mother. She was used to it but each day¡¯sment hit her differently. Begging her father was in vain. Although he had slight pity for her, his wife and her mother had influenced him greatly too. He looked at his wife and she shed him a death re. He opened his mouth and said to Emily,


    ¡°Emily, obey your mother. Go back to the Mason¡¯s family.¡±


    It was always the same old story. Always ¡®obey.¡¯ Emily had no say in that house. She went into her room in tears and anger.


    Rose and her mother exchanged nces.


    ¡°Mum, she must go right? We can¡¯t lose much money and the chance to live a happy life. Think about the fame, the riches, the power and the happiness that follows. We can¡¯t let her go, right?¡± Rose asked.


    ¡°Definitely. She must get married. But she is proving stubborn. The wedding is in two days. And she must be in his house tonight. We can¡¯t make mistakes or they might change their mind. What do we do my dear child?¡± Olivia replied.


    Rose thought for a moment and said,


    ¡°Leave it to me mum. She either goes on her own or I will make her go. I just need to drug her and send her over.¡±

 Chapter 2

    Noah Harper was the CEO of the most powerfulpany in the country, ckwood Towers. He was also the city¡¯s most eligible bachelor. He was seated in the VIP section of Rossvette restaurant having dinner. His cold demeanor could be felt from a distance. He had a jet ck short hair and a cold and stern face with sharp features.  He exuded an air of nobility and aloofness.  His delicate fingers moved smoothly on the cutlery set.


    Noah suddenly put down his cutlery. ¡°Why am I feeling strange?¡± he asked himself. He turned and called one of his guards.


    ¡°Frank,¡± he called.


    A though looking guy appeared immediately.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± he answered.


    ¡°Did you notice anything unusual?¡± Noah questioned.


    ¡°Not at all, sir.¡±


    ¡°Nothing about the food and drink before it was brought?¡±  Noah probed further, his sharp eyes studying Frank closely.


    ¡°No sir. There was no issue. Everything was perfect, normal and top notch as usual,¡± Frank answered.


    ¡°I feel strange, I will definitely punish you for ineffieciency,¡±  Noah said coldly.


    ¡°Punish me master. I will be more vignt next time. Let me call your doctor,¡± Frank apologized bowing low.


    ¡± No,¡± Noah objected. He couldn¡¯t sit still anymore. His whole body felt strange, hot, aroused and excited. He stood up immediately,


    ¡°I will be in my room,¡± he said and went off.


    Noah opened the door and saw a small figure on his bed. She looked so pretty and cute. The effect of the aphrodisiac he had taken was fast acting. He climbed the bed and pounced on her, covering her little mouth with his.


    The young girl felt a heavier weight on her and groaned weakly and drowsily.  A hand caressed her body tenderly. She tried to resist but she was too weak to do so. The man¡¯s hand found its way under her revealing dress. His firm lips engulfed hers in a passionate and fierce kiss. His mouth left her lips and explored other parts of her body. She wanted to resist. Yes, she wanted to. But she was too weak. She was being taken advantage of.


    Frank, one of Noah¡¯s guards  smiled to himself. He has carried out the task assigned to him by his old master, Joshua Harper who was also Noah¡¯s father. Joshua Harper was worried about his son, Noah. A lot of tongues were wagging saying that Noah was gay. Noah wasn¡¯t moved. He didn¡¯t even flinch but Joshua was disturbed. He had arranged several women in the past but Noah rejected them all. A single touch from a woman was enough to disgust him.


    That morning, a brilliant thought had urred to Joshua. He instructed Frank to arrange a woman and drug Noah with an aphrodisiac.


    Just then, Frank¡¯s phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and shivered. This was the girl he had arranged for Noah! He picked up the call with trembling fingers.


    ¡°Hello,¡± he called out immediately


    ¡°I am sincerely sorry I amte. I had a bit of issues. But I am downstairs right now. Come and show me in,¡±  the young girl said.


    Frank was momentarily struck dumb. He was sure ady was in there with his master. Noah was having a nice time under the influence of the drug. Howe the arranged girl was yet to go in? Who could be in there?


    Noah rose as the sun rose in the morning. The bright rays of the sun hit his handsome face from the window. He opened his eyes and felt something or someone on him. His arms were wrapped around a petite and beautiful figure. A girl! His eyes widened. And again, they were both naked. What could have happened? His memory came to his rescue and didn¡¯t fail him this time. He remembered the happenings of the previous night. He squeezed his face in anger. He stood up from the bed as quietly as he could  and went into the bathroom. He had a thorough bath as if to scrub off every trace of the slut from his body.


    Emily woke up and tried to stand up. But she couldn¡¯t, her body ached all over and she was in pains. She also realized she was naked.


    ¡°Oh my gosh! what have I done? What happened to me?¡± she screamed. No. She had been raped. She had lost her virginity in a dishonorable way and to a strange man. Her memories aboutst night was vague. She only remembered someone on top of her body. His face wasn¡¯t clear under the dim red light in the room. He had explored every single bit of her body and had taken her to cloud 9. She was too weak to resist him. She thought of her wedding which was supposed to be the following day. She knew she was doomed. She quickly reached for her clothes and hurried home.


    ¡°Wee dear sister. How wasst night?¡± Rose mocked as soon as Emily stepped into the house.


    ¡°So it was you, how dare you!¡± Emily responded in anger.


    Roseughed again. ¡°You should be grateful to me, you silly brat. I helped you seal a deal. You are finally going to be Mrs Mason. Get ready for your wedding tomorrow.¡±


    Emily¡¯s heart  sank. She frowned. So, it was Jaydenst night. She suddenly became angry. She was so angry that she gave Rose a dirty p.


    ¡°What? How dare you!¡± Rose screamed. ¡°Mother?¡±  she continued , calling her mother for help. Rose raised her hand to hit Emily but her mother stopped her hands in the air.


    ¡°No, my dear child. Don¡¯t hurt your hands hitting her. Moreover, we can¡¯t let her carry a ruined face to the wedding. We might lose the five million dors,¡± Olivia said calming her daughter.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Olivia¡¯s phone rang at that point. She looked at the caller ID and it was an unknown caller. She slid her hands across the screen and picked it up.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you send your daughter to mest night?¡± an angry voice spoke from the other end as soon as the call connected. It was Jayden.


    ¡°I did. She was¡­¡± Olivia tried to exin but the line was dead. Rose looked at her mother, puzzled. Everything was on standstill for the next ten seconds. Rose took out her phone and dailed a number.


    ¡°I paid you to send her to his room. Didn¡¯t you do so?¡±


    ¡°I did. I sent her to room 303 as you instructed,¡±  the man on the phone reported.


    Rose¡¯s mouth fell open.


    ¡°303? I said 203.¡±


    Emily looked at her sister in bewilderment. If it wasn¡¯t Jayden, who could it have been?

 Chapter 3

    ¡°You shameless slut, hurry now and apologize to Master Jayden,¡± Rose screamed pushing Emily towards the door.


    Why was she pushing her? Rose should be the shameless one not her. She was the one who had drugged her and taken her to a strange man the previous night.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± Emily protested.


    ¡°Go? No, you won¡¯t. Run along, go and apologize to Master Jayden. You will not ruin our chance. The wedding must be held tomorrow,¡± Olivia joined in.


    ¡°Don¡¯te in here anymore. Out!¡± Rose shouted pushing her roughly out of the door.


    ¡°You will remain there till you do what is right. And if you fail to do so, I will strangle you,¡± Rose finished. She held her on her neck, strangling her. Emily struggled to breath. Rose shoved her roughly to the floor and banged the door on her face. Emily coughed and tried to regain her breath. It was a working day and she might be sacked if she skipped work. She was tired, cold and hungry. She raised her hand and knocked on the door.


    ¡°Open up, please,¡± she cried. But no one came to her rescue.


    Noah Harper sat down in his exquisite office. A frown greased his face. His thin lips were slightly pursed and his custom made ck suit entuated his tall and lean figure. He was tapping away on the keyboard of hisptop with his long and bony fingers when a knock came at the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± he said without raising his face. His secretary, James Sullivan walked in holding a tablet .


    ¡°Good morning sir,¡± he greeted but got no response from Noah. Noah raised his head and his cold gaze flickered briefly towards James. The next moment, his eyes focused on hisptop,pletely ignoring his secretary. James stood still, waiting for the permission to speak. After what seemed like eternity, he realized that Noah was not going to pay him any attention. It was a silent indication for him to get out. But it was an urgent matter, so he decided to risk it.


    ¡°President Harper,¡± he called carefully to avoid offending his boss.


    Noah stopped what he was doing. His cold gaze made James shiver.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Noah finally asked him.


    ¡°Sir, the press has some news about you,¡± James said.


    Noah starred at him. The press always had his news. Why was this one different? It will possibly be serious and urgent that was why James brought it to his notice. He stretched his slender hands to James saying,


    ¡°Let me see.¡±


    James came closer and handed him the tablet. Noah looked at the news and felt his blood boil. The news headline was catchy.


    ¡®The gay ceo of ckwood Towers, Noah Harper in bed with a strange woman.¡¯


    It meant that his affairst night hade to light. Here was a photo captured by the press. He read further,


    ¡®The gay ceo of ckwood Towers, Noah Harper was spottedst night having a pleasant time with an unknown woman. Following this¡­¡¯


    He didn¡¯t read any more. He banged his fists so hard on the table that the secretary staggered back in fear. The cup of coffee on the table flew up and crashed on the floor breaking into pieces.


    ¡°Find that slut. I am going to murder her,¡± he instructed in anger.


    His secretary bowed and left instantly.


    ¡°Ahhhhhh,¡± Noah screamed throwing down everything on his table.


    ¡°That slut! She did this on purpose. I will deal with her,¡± he muttered to himself. He was pacing to and fro in his office waiting impatiently for some information about that girl.


    Ten minutester, his secretary came in.


    ¡°I have found her sir,¡± he announced.


    Noah turned, his eyes were bloodshot. He looked like he was going to murder someone that instant.


    ¡°Who is she?¡±


    James read from his tablet.


    ¡°Emily Grant.


    Age:21


    Address: Number 37 Avenue, Wale¡¯s Street.¡±


    ¡°Get my car ready,¡± Noah instructed.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± responded the secretary. He left to carry out the task.


    Noah left his office. The driver was waiting for him in front of the building.


    ¡°Drive,¡± he ordered irritably.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    The driver was perplexed. He just said drive. Where was he supposed to drive to?


    ¡°Sir, where do I take you?¡± he asked cautiously.


    Noah cast him a death re.


    ¡°Get out,¡± he ordered.


    The driver obeyed immediately. Noah entered the car and drove off.


    The car came to a halt at number 37 Avenue, Wales Street. He opened the door and stepped out. There, in front of the house was the young girl fromst night. She sat like a kitten looking miserable and pitiful. But Noah was filled with rage and anger with no ounce of pity. He wished he could kill her right away for framing himst night. He walked to the door and gave the sleeping girl a rough kick. She jerked awake and stood up almost immediately. He studied her closely. The kiss marks and love bites  fromst night were visible on her neck. That disgusted him further.


    Emily looked to see who it was. She thought it was her sister or mother. But, the shoes, they belonged to a man and they worth more than her family¡¯sworth.  She looked up and saw his face. The man was tall and had exceptional facial features. He wore an office shirt unbuttoned to his vicle. The aura of asceticisming off him made her heart skip a beat.


    ¡°You slut. Why did you do it?¡± Noah asked sternly.


    Do what? Emily was confused. She stared at him, confusion written all over her face.


    ¡°You want to act like you don¡¯t know what I am talking about, you idiot.¡± Noah said again, advancing menacingly towards her. Emily moved a step back at  every step he took.


    ¡°It was youst night, you disgusting harlot. What was your aim? To dent my image by seducing me and selling the news to the press?¡±


    Emily¡¯s mouth fell open. She took out her phone quickly and went to the news page. She saw the headline and broke into a cold sweat. The views on the page was well above 3 million in just twenty minutes. Wait, she was involved in a scandal with the powerful ceo? It was over for her. She opened her mouth to exin that she knew nothing about this. But Noah pulled her roughly towards the car. He shoved her in and shut the door. He turned on the ignition and said two words,


    ¡°Marry me.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Emily was stunned. Marry him?


    He turned and looked at her.


    ¡°That was what you wanted. Yes. You crawled up to my bed to seduce mest night and sold the video to the press. You should be grateful I didn¡¯t imprison you, shameless thing,¡± Noah said rudely.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything. It was you who took advantage of me!¡± Emily shouted back. She was surprised at her utterance and her courage. She didn¡¯t know where she gathered such courage from.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± Noah mocked and focused his attention on the road. Emily wondered where he was taking her to but she was too scared to ask. Noah Harper was a very powerful man and could do anything.


    Rose¡¯s phone beeped and thetest news report popped up. She tapped on it and it read,


    ¡®The gay ceo of ckwood Towers, Noah Harper in bed with a strange woman¡¯


    She smiled. What great news for the press. She tapped on the news. Few secondster, her phone fell off her hand.


    ¡°Impossible.¡± she shouted.


    Her mother, who was nearby looked and asked in concern,


    ¡°What is the matter?¡±


    Rose pointed at her phone unable to speak. Her mum picked up the phone and read the news. She too was surprised. Emily? Noah Harper? How? What will be of them and their five million dors? How were they going to exin this to the Masons¡¯? No! They would not sit tight and lose five million dors. Never. They both ran towards the door at the same time. They collided with each other but they didn¡¯t mind. Their target was the child outside. They flung the door open but Emily was not in sight.


    ¡°Emily? Where is that good for nothing girl?¡± Olivia spat.


    Emily stood in the well furnished office. This was the most beautiful office she had ever seen. Noah¡¯s secretary came in and Noah said to him, ¡°Get her something decent to put on.¡±


    Emily suddenly realized she was still putting on the revealing dress fromst night. Little wonder she was mistaken for a slut.


    ¡°Why are you still here?¡± Noah asked her.


    ¡°Eh¡­¡± she stammered


    ¡°Get out,¡± he thundered.


    Emily walked out of the office. Noah sat on his desk and opened hisptop. He must save his name from scandal. Yes, he must. The press wasn¡¯t going to defame him. Few minutester, Emily returned with the secretary. She was wearing a decent jump suit now. The secretary bowed and left, leaving Emily all by herself. Noah pretended not to notice her. When he was done typing, he moved towards the printer on his desk and took out two pieces of paper.


    ¡°Emily Grant, right?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± she answered timidly.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    He looked at her and sighed. He held the papers towards her. She moved forward and took them. The paper contained a contract agreement.


    ¡°What was going to happen to her marriage tomorrow? Well, to hell with it. She would be better off with anyone but  Jayden. If she signed this contract, she won¡¯t have to apologize to Jayden and her family will not use her to get millions or social status. Moreover, it was just a two year contract and she will be paid a sum of 10 million dors. This was indeed much better,¡± she thought.


    Noah waited for her to read it. When she was done, she raised her face and looked at him briefly, then she returned once more to the paper.


    ¡°Marry me for two years. Within those two years, I will provide all your needs and will also give you 10 million dors. I will give you an employment in one of my subsidiarypanies. But, within these two years, you must do my bidding and do nothing to tarnish my image or my family¡¯s image. After those two years, you must never appear before me in your whole life. For the rest of your life and as long as you live, we must never cross paths,¡± Noah stated his conditions in in words.


    His voice was t. It was evident that the man was ustomed to makingmands. It had the power to make people subconsciously obey his orders, irresistibly.


    Emily stared at the paper. The two year contract was going to be better than staying in the Masons¡¯ family or her family. Moreover, marrying someone as powerful as Noah will protect her from her family and from Masons¡¯ family. Noah¡¯s signature was already on the papers. It was also sealed with an official seal.


    The paparazzi waited eagerly for Noah downstairs. As soon as he stepped out, he held Emily close and whispered sternly,


    ¡°Behave yourself.¡±


    The paparazzi rushed to them. Shouts of ¡°Oh! They are together!¡± again rent the air. Cameras clicked and flickered.


    ¡°Give us a word, sir.¡±


    ¡°Tell us what is going on.¡±


    ¡°A minute, sir.¡±


    ¡°A moment of your time, sir.¡±


    ¡°Who is thedy?¡±


    ¡°Are you finally making your rtionship public?¡±


    The list was endless. The paparazzi questioned at the same time. Noah finally halted and said,


    ¡°She is my fianc¨¦e.¡±


    Emily was surprised. She had not signed the contract yet. She tried to y along as agreed. They entered the car and went away from the paparazzi who were all disappointed. They had waited to spot more dirt on Noah.


    The moment they were in the car and away from the Paparazzi, Noah released her like she was some hot coal.


    ¡°To the civil affairs bureau,¡± Noah instructed his driver.


    ¡°Yes sir¡±, he answered promptly.


    Emily was shocked. Civil affairs Bureau? He was really going to marry her. She was yet to sign the contract. Emily pulled out the papers from her bag.


    ¡°A pen, please,¡±  she requested politely.


    Noah looked at her and took out a fancy ball point pen from his pocket and handed it to her.


    ¡°President Noah, I know nothing about what happenedst night. I also did not notify the press or the paparazzi. In fact, I was druggedst night,¡±  Emily tried to exin.


    ¡°Nice. It¡¯s not expected of a slut to say the truth,¡± he sneered.


    Emily was heart broken. She said no more. She took the pen and endorsed her signature on both papers. She had signed the two year contract. What next? What did life hold in store for her?

 Chapter 5

    At the civil affairs bureau, a lot of people were there to either register their marriage or do other things. As soon as they entered, all eyes turned to their direction. They were a perfect match. Noah was handsome and hot and was every woman¡¯s dream. Emily, as well, was a very pretty young girl with curvy shape that could make heads turn.


    ¡°Wow! Look at that hot guy,¡± onedy whispered to her friend.


    ¡°Oh my gosh! He is smoking hot. I envy that girl,¡± another said.


    ¡°I will give anything to get into his bed,¡± one said shamelessly.


    They were whispering but it was loud enough for Emily to hear. Somewhere nearby, a couple were kissing. It was a normal sight and the workers and people around were not bothered. But Emily thought it wasn¡¯t supposed to be.


    ¡°All these people admiring us. If only they knew it is a fake marriage,¡± Emily thought


    ¡°Why are you standing there?¡± Noah asked interrupting her thoughts.


    ¡°Huh¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said and walked off.


    Go where? There were a lot of people who were there before them. She watched him walk to the front. She hastened up and followed behind him.


    ¡°Ah! First Master Noah!¡± a voice said.


    Everyone gave way. A hush fell over them. He was a powerful ceo and was seldom seen. Most people had only seen him in pictures, magazines or on the news. Somedies gawped at him despite having partners beside them.


    ¡°Arrogant brute. He is using his influence here. He wants to be attended to first. What about other people who were here before him?¡± Emily said within. She hated the fact that he was using his influence to get things done without due process. He looked down on people and thought them trivial.


    With the marriage certificate in his hands, Noah left the civil affairs bureau with Emily.


    ¡°Few hours ago, I was single and was soon to be Mrs Mason. Now, I am Mrs Harper.¡±


    As soon as they got into the car, Emily¡¯s phone rang. It was her boss. Emily had never been in her good books. She hated Emily because Emily was everything she wasn¡¯t. She was beautiful, shapey, smart and all. She made Emily do all the work.


    ¡°Good evening ma,¡±  Emily greeted respectfully.


    ¡°Why were you absent without permission?¡± her boss, Linda asked.


    ¡°I am sorry ma. It was¡­¡± Emily apologized and tried to exin but Linda did not let her.


    ¡°You are fired,¡± Linda interrupted and ended the call. Tears welled up in her eyes. Fired? How? It was only today. A one time mistake. What will she do now? She won¡¯t be jobless. Noah opened his eyes which have been closed since they entered the car.


    ¡°The contract also made room for your employment,¡± he said and closed his eyes again. Emily¡¯s heart leaped for joy. She hadpletely forgotten about that.


    ¡°Thank you so much sir,¡± she thanked him profusely.


    The driver took a left turn and Emily¡¯s hair stood. Where were they going? The direction to her house was the right turn. She mustered courage and asked cautiously,


    ¡°Where are we going to please?¡±


    The driver turned and answered, ¡°We are going home, madam ¡±


    What? Home? He also called her madam. Wait. Was she going to live with him? Noah answered the question in her mind.


    ¡°We are married. There is no way you will live outside my vi,¡± he said firmly giving no room for a counter opinion.


    It was a fake marriage.


    ¡°But¡­¡± she started.


    ¡°But what?¡± he asked frowning. He was ustomed to giving orders and having it done instantly without being disputed.


    ¡°I¡­ I want to pick up some things from the house,¡± she said quietly.


    ¡°No need. Everything will be reced,¡± came the reply.


    ¡°Please, I just need¡­¡± Emily protested.


    ¡°Fine. Turn around and drop her off,¡± Noah said in exasperation.


    ¡°Thank you, but I can go from here,¡± Emily declined the ride politely.


    Noah looked at her like he was going to murder her.


    ¡°Fine then. Get out.¡±


    The driver matched the brakes and the car came to a halt.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Emily said and opened the door.


    ¡°Once you are done, call me. I will send someone toe and pick you up,¡± Noah said passing a well decorated contact card to her.


    ****************************************************


    Noah looked at the time and wondered what was keeping Emily and why she hasn¡¯t called.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Or does she have ulterior motives? I thought as much,¡± he swore.


    ¡°Where have you been all day? Where?¡± Olivia roared at poor Emily.


    ¡°You want to ruin our chances, right? Do you want us to be aughing stock? Do you not know that the Mason family can render us bankrupt in seconds and with a snap of their fingers, huh?? Do  you?¡± Williams Grant, Emily¡¯s father joined in.


    ¡°Why must it always be me father?¡± Emily cried.


    ¡°Why me? Why do I have to be the outcast here? I am your child too.¡±


    ¡°Yes. A good for nothing one. A good for nothing child. That¡¯s what you are,¡± Rose answered her question pointing her finger on her face.


    ¡°You are being asked to be useful just this once. Marry into that family and stay out of ours. We won¡¯t bother you anymore. Just get married. Get married, Emily,¡± Rose finished.


    The door was kicked open and in came a furious Jayden.


    ¡°How dare you?¡± Jayden spat.


    ¡°Why will you defy my orders? You sent her to another¡¯s bedst night and you think you will all get away with it? I will take down the Grant family. I will send it to Hades,¡± he threatened.


    ¡°Pardon us, Master Jayden. It was her who sneaked off into his bedst night. She is shameless,¡± Rose lied.


    ¡°Yes. It was her,¡± Olivia supported her daughter.


    Emily was too shocked to speak. How could they be lieing?


    ¡°But don¡¯t worry. I will teach this unfilial daughter of mine a lesson. Kneel down right away and apologize to Master Jayden. Quick,¡± Olivia ordered.


    Emily opened her mouth to protest.


    ¡°What is going on here?¡± a cold and domineering voice called from the door. They turned to see who it was.


    Behold, it was¡­

 Chapter 6

    Behold, it was Noah Harper!


    ¡°Greetings Master Harper. I feel honoured to have you in my house. I hope my family hasn¡¯t offended the great Master Harper in any way?¡± Williams said carefully when he finally found his tongue.


    ¡°Emily, get up ande here,¡± Noah called out to her. The voice was cold, domineering and filled with authority. Emily obeyed without hesitation. She stood up and went to him that instant. Noah was a man of few words. He scrutinized everyone and said,


    ¡°Stay away from her and trouble her no more.¡± He turned to Emily and said,


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    The family members were too shocked and scared to speak. Emily picked her bag from the table and followed him out.


    ¡°What? Wasn¡¯t that Noah Harper?¡± Rose spoke first breaking the silence.


    ¡°I hope we have not offended the first master in any way, else, we will be doomed,¡± Williams said in fright.


    ¡°I pray so too,¡± Olivia added.


    They never believed Noah would defend her and even warn them to stay away from her.


    Jayden was in his own world. How? Emily and Harper? How did she get thus far? He knew his family was no match for the Harper¡¯s  family. He knew he must quit now or he would regret it. Harper was a merciless fellow and could destroy his family at the snap of his fingers and in a twinkle of an eye.


    ¡°Emily will never get away. But she has a strong man backing her. Nevertheless, I will deal with her my own way,¡± he swore and walked away more furious than he had been in the beginning. He had never been insulted and belittled as he was today. He waspletely relegated to the background the moment Noah Harper appeared.


    ¡°Emily will definitely pay,¡± he muttered again.


    ¡°Thank you for saving me,¡± Emily said to him the moment they were out of earshot. He didn¡¯t reply. He pretended not to hear her. He opened the door and got in. He had driven himself to the house. Emily followed suit and entered the car.


    She smiled in satisfaction as the car drove off. It was a goodbye from her hell of a home. She had known no peace and happiness there in her 21 years of existence. Growing up, she was despised by her parents. She was always discriminated and she suffered from autism when she was three years old. When she got the illness, her parents didn¡¯t care about her. They sent her to an orphanage where a certain Governesses was said to look after kids with that kind of disease. Emily found a mother in Governesses Shields. She took care of her like her own child. Her biological parents forgot about her and seldom came to visit her. When she was seven years old, she was sent back home as she had recovered. From that day, things returned to normal. She didn¡¯t know parental love. She wanted to go back to the orphanage. She didn¡¯t even get to visit Governesses Shields often. She only saw her once and sadly, the governesses relocated when she was 15 years and she never heard of her.


    The ringing of a phone disrupted the serenity in the car and pulled her out of her thoughts. It couldn¡¯t be daydream. She had no pleasant memories of home.


    He slid his slender and pretty fingers across the screen and answered the call. Emily found this act mesmerising. She looked at him closely this time. He was indeed a very handsome and sexy youth. The thought of this handsome man driving his whole length into herst night made her wet. She was really taken to cloud 9 the previous night. She could swear she wanted more.


    ¡°What hase over me? How can I be thinking of such?¡± she quickly chastitised herself.


    ¡°Good evening dad,¡± Noah spoke calmly to the caller. It was his father, Joshua Harper.


    ¡°What is it I hear about you son?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Nothing, father.¡±


    ¡°See me tonight,¡± Joshua instructed.


    ¡°Okay father,¡± Noah replied and ended the call.


    His voice was still cold. Emily couldn¡¯t figure out what sort of rtionship he had with his father.


    The car stopped in front of a magnificent building. They stepped out of the car and Emily took in the glorious sight. The house was really beautiful. The surroundings, the well nned walkways, the garden and so many other things.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you go in? Or will you stand there gawping?¡± Noah chided her.


    ¡°I am sorry,¡± she quickly apologised and moved on.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    He opened the door and she followed him into the house. The house was bigger and better than she had imagined. The exterior was nothingpared to the interior.  Emily¡¯s jaw almost dropped but she quickly stopped herself on time.


    Emily was surprised to see no household servant in sight.


    ¡°They onlye during the day,¡± Noah exined guessing her thoughts correctly.


    He liked a life of solitude and lived one. He didn¡¯t want anyone meddling in his private affairs. He had a reticent nature and didn¡¯t want anyone to know anything about him. The servants only came during the day to discharge their duties and left at night. He lived alone in that big house.


    Noah walked up the stairs with Emily following closely behind.  Everything was in ce in the house. It was a first ss house. Noah stopped and pointed at a door.


    ¡°This will be your room from now. Everything you need will be sent over tomorrow but your basic toiletries are in there for now.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± replied Emily.


    ¡°Dinner is set downstairs. Heat it in the microwave if you want.¡±


    ¡°Okay, thank you sir,¡± Emily said again. She was sincerely grateful.


    Noah turned and walked away.


    ¡°Mr Harper,¡± Emily called halting him.


    He turned and nced at her.


    ¡°I am sorry. I hadn¡¯t nned any of these. Believe me please. It wasn¡¯t intentional. I was drugged and sent to your roomst night. It was supposed to be Jayden¡¯s room but there was a mistake.  It wasn¡¯t premeditated,¡± Emily tried to exin again.


    ¡°Lies. I won¡¯t believe any of those your despicable lies. Listen, stay away from me and don¡¯t be found wanting. We have signed a contract,¡±  he hissed and walked into one of the rooms at a farther end. He mmed the door shut.


    Noahy on his bed and stared at the ceiling. His room was well furnished and was  everything a standard room should be. Arge bookshelf was at one end of the room. It was always filled with thetest novels. He stretched his hand a picked the novel on his bedside table. He usually read novels to pass time. He finished one every night and it was reced with a new one in the morning by the servant. Unknown to anyone, he had insomnia. He seldom slept , hence, he used the novels to pass time. As he took the book, a photo fell out.


    What was that and where did ite from. He looked at the picture and he froze momentarily. Behind the picture, the name of the person was written. A name that was forbidden in Noah¡¯s world.

 Chapter 7

    Grace Shields.


    For that was her name. The name forbidden in Noah¡¯s world.


    ¡°How did it get here? This is supposed to be a new book. Or did a servant pick it up and ce it here?¡± he asked himself.


    He opened his drawers and put the picture inside. He locked it securedly. He took his jacket and off he went. His father had sent for him and he was going to answer the old man. He walked down the stairs in deep thought. He was going to see his father. They were not close and at the same time they were not having issues. They fell apart when Noah¡¯s mother died. Noah shook his head as if to shake off the thought. He stopped in his tracks when he sighted Emily on the dinning. She had a smile of satisfaction on her face as she ate dinner.


    ¡°She has finally achieved her aim through her deceptive ways,¡± he said within.


    Emily was happy for the bit of freedom and extremely rich food she had that night. There was no Rose, Olivia or Williams to order her around despite having servants. She felt she was being watched. She stopped eating and looked up. Noah was still watching her from the stairs. She shivered and shrank back in fear. Noah continued down the stairs calmly. He walked towards the table, his eyes never leaving her. Emily stood up in fear as he approached. Noah finally took his eyes off her. He picked an apple from the fruit basket and walked calmly out of the house.


    ¡°Phew.¡± Emily finally released her breath which she had held in fright. ¡°What a creepy guy.¡±


    Noah sat quietly in the car bitting into the apple he took from the dining.


    ¡°What does this man want from me right now?¡± he muttered. He took out a bottle of water and gulped down the entire content. He turned on the ignition and headed to his father¡¯s house.


    The house was a very big and well designed one. A nce at it will tell that the owner was a multi billionaire. This was the house of Joshua Harper, Noah¡¯s father. Guards were stationed at strategic points to secure the house. Noah drove in and parked his car in front of the building. A guard ran up to him as he stepped out of the car.


    ¡°Good evening, young master Noah,¡± he greeted but was ignored by Noah. He was already used to it so he continued.


    ¡°Young master, give me the keys so that I can take the car to the garage for you.¡±


    ¡°No need. I will be leaving soon,¡± he replied and walked to the door. He held the door handle and hesitated .


    ¡°Mum, I¡¯m home once again. I will try to be obedient.¡±  He took a deep breath and opened the door.


    ¡°Good evening young master,¡± the servants greeted in unison.


    He scrutinized them all and ignored the greeting.


    ¡°Where is father?¡± he asked .


    ¡°He is in his study, young master,¡± one maids answered.  Noah turned and made for the study.


    ¡°Young master Noah is back so soon,¡± a servant whispered opening the ground for gossip.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s quite surprising. I wonder what it¡¯s all about,¡± another joined.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope things don¡¯t go wrong like thest time, else we will be in for trouble,¡± came another.


    ¡°They used to be good. I miss the little jolly Noah,¡±  the old Butler said. He was their oldest servant and had watched Noah grow up.


    A hush fell over them when they sighted Noah behind them. They didn¡¯t notice his return. They prayed fervently that he forgave them.


    ¡°Hey, get me a ss of water,¡± he said pointing to the servant nearest to him.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± he said and gave it to him immediately. Noah took it and walked away to their greatest glee and relief.


    Joshua Harper was seated in his study, a cup of coffee was on the table. He sipped it asionally as he read his book. There was a knock on the door.


    ¡°Good evening father,¡± Noah greeted as he entered.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Evening son,¡± Joshua answered and motioned him to sit.


    ¡°Noah, what did I hear? What¡¯s on the news? Who is your fianc¨¦e?¡± Joshua asked. He knew very well how thedy came about. He was the one who had instructed the servants to drug him. But the servants failed to cover loop holes and unfortunately, the paparazzi took advantage of it and captured the news. The servants had been punished for that already. But the question is, why did he dere her his fianc¨¦e?


    ¡°Nothing father,¡± Noah answered. His reticent natureing to y.


    ¡°Noah!¡± his father called.


    It was only his name that was called but the message was clear.


    ¡°I did it to save my image. What else could I have done?¡± Noah asked.


    ¡°Really, you settled for someone without ss and dered her your fianc¨¦e?¡± Joshua yelled mming his fists on the table.


    ¡°What could I have done? Tell me. What was I supposed to do? Tell the world that the son of the great Joshua Harper sleeps around? Huh? Answer me father!¡± Noah retorted, his temper rising.


    His father paused briefly and thought about it. Noah wasn¡¯t far from the truth. Dering her his fianc¨¦e was the only option they had to save face and maintain dignity.


    ¡°I have married her,¡± Noah announced.


    ¡°What? Are you out of your mind?¡± screamed Joshua.


    ¡°No,¡± he replied infuriating his father the more.


    Joshua took a breath and asked calmly,


    ¡°Why son? Well, I understand that you did this to save face. You must divorce her now and I will arrange you a different girl. One beffiting your status and from the high ss like ours,¡± he offered


    ¡°No. Don¡¯t meddle in my affairs. I don¡¯t need it,¡± Noah said tly.


    ¡°Noah! Behave yourself.¡±


    ¡°I am behaving father. Don¡¯t meddle in my private affairs. I have saved us from scandal. I will do what I like,¡± Noah retorted.


    ¡°Your mother will not be happy to hear you speak to me in that manner.¡±


    ¡°Did you just say mum?¡± Noah asked silently.

 Chapter 8

    A hush fell over them.


    ¡°Really, Mum? You still have the guts to remind me of mum?¡± Noah said rising from his seat. He knocked down the cup of coffee in fury.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Noah! What is wrong with you?¡± Joshua asked getting up as well.


    ¡°I am yet to forgive you for what happened to mum and you still mention her to me,¡± Noah said, his eyes bloodshot and tears welling up in his eyes. Threatening to fall at anytime.


    ¡°Smack!¡± Joshuanded a dirty p on Noah¡¯s face. Noah stood still for a while, staring at his father. He took his car keys from the table and left the room on anger.


    ¡°Naoh!¡± his father called but Noah didn¡¯t turn.


    The sound of the shower running could be heard right inside the bathroom. And in there stood a masculine, sexy, dripping wet guy having his bath. He spent more time thinking than having his bath. After some time, of about  thirty minutes, he finally turned off the shower. His ck hair dripping wet making him look better and sexier. He stretched his hand to the towel bar and picked up his very big towel from it, which he cleaned his body with. After that, he wrapped it around his waist, covering his naked self. He walked out of the bathroom with a satisfied grin as he sniffed in the sweet fragrance of his bathing soap. That was his mother¡¯s favourite bathing soap and he had used it all his life.


    He got dressed andy down on his bed for some time, hoping to feel better. Afterwards, he walked out of the room and down the stairs. The bath had calmed him down, it was time to leave the house. He met his father outside the door, smoking.


    ¡°I¡¯m off,¡± he announced.


    ¡°I will be at your house moment from now. That girl can never be my daughter inw. No woman without ss is wee here. You either do it yourself soon, or I do it my own way,¡± Joshua threatened.


    Noah looked at him and said nothing for sometime.


    ¡°Good night father,¡± he simply said and walked to his car.


    ¡°Grrrhhh Grrrhhh,¡± her rm rang. Emily woke up immediately. She stretched herself and stood up. Then she realized where she was.  She didn¡¯t need to wake up early  as she had no work to do. Noah hadn¡¯t given her an employment yet. She stretched, yawned and went back to sleep.


    She had just finished having her bath when the door bell rang.  She dressed in simple short and T-shirt  and went to open the door.


    ¡°Good morning madam,¡± greeted a well dressed, good looking young man.  He was closely followed by two women.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± she responded.


    ¡°We are from Velvet Mansion,¡± he proceeded to exin handing her a business card.  ¡°We were instructed to take your measurement for your clothes.¡±


    Emily took the business card and looked at it.  Truly, it was from velvet mansion.  Never had she dreamt of wearing clothes from the most famous fashion designers store in the country.  A dress cost almost 2000 dors.  When Noah said he was going to rece  her clothes, she didn¡¯t expect  that much.


    ¡°Thanks Noah,¡± she said within. The women then took her measurements.  Few minutester, the clothes arrived.


    ¡°Here, madam, pick the ones you need,¡± the woman said.


    There were so many clothes. Emily didn¡¯t know which to pick. They were all well designed and of quality materials. High ss and of thetest design.


    ¡°Young master said she can have all,¡± the young man countered.


    ¡°All?¡± Emily asked in surprise.


    ¡°Yes madam. These are ourtest designs.  Hope you love them.¡±


    Emily simply nodded, too shocked to speak.


    ¡°Where do we ce the clothes, madam?¡±


    They even offered to take it inside.  She led the way and the clothes were taken to her room.  They were so many that she didn¡¯t know where to ce them.  She looked at the bed and all the clothes.


    ¡°Why waste money like this? These clothes are too much and costly too.¡±


    The servants began to arrive one after the other to carry out their respective duties. They were amazed when they saw Emily. It was strange to see a woman in the house.


    ¡°Who is she?¡± the first servant asked.


    ¡°Maybe young Master¡¯s fiancee,¡± one guessed.


    ¡°Huh! He is gay,¡± countered another.


    ¡°She is the woman from that night.  The woman on the news,¡± answered another who seemed to have all the answers.


    ¡°Oh! that makes it clearer.  Why is she in his house?¡±


    ¡°Will she be the new madam?¡±


    The servants numbering  four had something to say.  They gossiped for a while and went off to discharge their duties.


    The meeting room was silent. The managers were praying in the silence of their hearts.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Rejected.¡±


    ¡°This is uneptable.¡±


    Noah had a negativement  for every file passed to him.


    ¡°What sort of proposals are these? Is this how we run this firm?¡± he thundered.


    ¡°We are sorry, president Harper,¡± the managers chorused.


    Noah had showed up at work highly irritated.  They knew the day¡¯s meeting  would not be friendly.  He rejected all the business proposals brought before him no matter how revised, good, polished or profiting they were


    ¡°Look into and revise all these proposals,¡± Noah said and walked away.


    ¡°The proposals will be approved when he is calm,¡± the managers assured themselves. They began to file out of the room one after the other.


    Noah entered his office and loosened  his tie.  He took off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt.  He had sexy chest and arbs. A knock came and his secretary entered with a cup of coffee.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need it. Tell the driver to get the car ready,¡± Noah ordered, rejecting the coffee and dismissing him.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± he saluted and left with the coffee.


    Noah stood up after some minutes and left the office. His driver was waiting in front of the building as usual.


    ¡°Good day sir,¡± he greeted. He opened the door for Noah and he entered.


    ¡°To the burial ground,¡± Noah instructed and shut his eyes.

 Chapter 9

    The private grave yard was silent as expected. The Harper family grave yard.  Noah walked to his mother¡¯s grave and dropped her a red rose flower. It was her favorite. He visited her every year since she died. He also visited her grave when he was downcast.


    ¡°Mum, Noah is back again. I miss you mum,¡± he said as tears fell down his face. He remembered their happy family and how he lost his mother. He refused to believe anything aside from the fact that his father was responsible for his mother¡¯s death.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°He killed her,¡± he muttered. His father has  never visited her grave since she died.  Noah  believed his father didn¡¯t care. It made him distance  himself from his father all the more.


    ¡°Everything is getting boring mother. I miss the times I spent with you mum. Could you believe I was framed? That aside, but if you were here mother. I wish I hadn¡¯t suggested that ride. Maybe we would have been together. You wouldn¡¯t have left so soon¡­. ¡± he choked on his words.  He remembered how it happened. Vividly, it seemed like it happened just yesterday. It was always evergreen in his mind. Refusing to leave.


    That day, the family sat at the balconyughing heartily. It was a cool summer afternoon. Everyone including the weather was smiling.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go for a ride, no driver, just me, you,  mummy and our baby,¡± Noah suggested.  His mother was heavily pregnant that time. They decided to go to the beach. His parents instructed the servants on what to pack for the pic.


    They sent off on a smooth ride.  They arrived at the beach, had so much fun and soon set homewards. It was indeed a great pic. The ride homewards was even better than the former. It was going fine until a heated argument ensued between his parents.  He didn¡¯t really understand the reason. But his mother was used by the father of infidelity and she tried to defend herself. They yelled at each other non stop. At some point, his father raised his hands and hit his mother and she passed out before his very eyes.  She was rushed to the hospital where she went intobour and died afterwards. Noah was certain she had that baby and the baby was alive.  But his father had done it his own way and told Noah that his mother and the baby died. Maybe his father never epted the baby since he had used his wife of infidelity. To Noah, his father felt no remorse for what happened. His mother¡¯s death as well as the baby¡¯s death or disappearance caused a cold war between Noah and his father. It has been many years but their bond failed to be cemented. Noah never trusted his father after that day.  Noah knew he had a sister somewhere and swore to find her no matter how long it took.


    ¡°Thump,¡± the rain dropped on his head, disrupting his thoughts.  He looked up and saw that the weather had changed.


    ¡°I will see you again mum,¡± he said and cleaned his tears. Then he left the graveyard.


    Emily decided to take a walk around the area.  She wasn¡¯t used to staying home all day. She got dressed and set off. She had a pleasant time sightseeing. The area was where the rich lived. She had the chance to see so many nice things. A rain drop fell on her. She hadn¡¯t got an umbre.  She needed to hurry home.  She retraced her steps and turned homeward.  A car was moving at a high speed towards her. Emily didn¡¯t see the caring behind her. The car nearly ran into her. Just then, a strong arm grabbed her and pulled her out  of the road.  They both rolled on the floor.  Emily was injured and was gasping for breath. She didn¡¯t recognize the man who saved her. She tried to speak but couldn¡¯t.  She passed out.


    The man who saved Emily quickly called his boss.


    ¡°Sir, madam was rushed to the hospital. Someone tried to kill her with a car.¡±


    ¡°Look into the matter. Find who ever it was  and punish him ordingly. Also remember to send her some food,¡± Noah replied and ended the call.


    Emily opened her eyes and realized she was at the hospital.


    ¡°You are awake,¡± the nurse said.  ¡°Luckily,  you had no internal injury. You only fainted as a result of shock. The cut on your arm has been treated too. Your ointment is on the table. After your lunch, you rest a bit and then you can leave,¡± the nurse instructed.


    Emily thanked her. She thought of who it was that saved her and brought her lunch. The young man that saved her earlier came again.


    ¡°Let me take you home, madam.¡±


    He called her madam. Emily knew at once that he was from Noah. But how did Noah find out about the ident and save her?


    ¡°Thank you so much. Thanks for saving me,¡± she said in appreciation


    ¡°It¡¯s my duty madam.¡±


    ¡°Did he assign you as my guard?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Not at all madam. But as someone working under young master, it¡¯s my duty to look out for you anytime, anywhere,¡± he exined.


    Noah was seated in the dinning, eating fruits when Emily entered.


    ¡°Good evening Master Noah. Thanks for earlier, the clothes and the lunch,¡± she said.


    ¡°Is getting hurt your ploy to make me sit and take care of you?¡± he asked spitefully.


    ¡°What!¡­ I¡­  How¡­ ¡± Emily stammered  looking for the right words.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be deceived. No amount  of your tricks or plots will make me fall in love with you or take care of you. Know your limit,¡± he stated and returned his attention to the fruits before him.


    Emily woke up the following morning. On the table was an appointment letter and a bank card containing  10million dors. She was to resume work the following day. She waited for Noah to return so that she will thank him.  But that never happened. She waited for days and he never showed up at home. It dawned on her that Noah had disappeared.

 Chapter 10

    Days rolled into weeks and weeks into months. Noah never showed up again. He disappeared, leaving Emily all alone yet bonded to him by a marriage certificate. Emily woke up with the same routine everyday. She got up, had breakfast and went to work. She was a friendly girl and soon made some good friends at work. She hung out with these few friends often after work and then she returned to the boring house. Her family members who never bothered about her didn¡¯t call her. They had always wanted her dead and forgotten after all. After Jayden¡¯s nned ident failed, his man was punished. Fortunately for Jayden, the man had been too scared of Jayden to give away his name as he knew the implications. Jayden never troubled her again.


    The clock ticked, days rolled and soon, it was one and half years. One evening, at the close of work, Emily sat with three friends, eating chips and drinking juice.


    ¡°Emily, there is a big club that will be booming tonight. You need toe along and have some fun,¡±  Lilian, one of her friends said.


    ¡°She will need a ticket. Let¡¯s go and get her one,¡± Jane joined in.


    ¡°No need. I am not interested,¡± Emily said tly.


    ¡°Common Emily. Just a bit of fun to brighten your day and the weekend. It¡¯s weekend. You need to be happy. Not making triangr movements all the time. I want to see a pretty and carefree smile on your face,¡± Lilian persisted


    ¡°Here, I have an extra ticket,¡± Lisa spoke for the first time. She passed a ticket to Emily. ¡°You can¡¯t say no, Emily. You areing right?¡± she asked with pleading eyes.


    ¡°It would not be a bad idea to have some fun after all,¡± Emily thought .


    ¡°Yes, I wille,¡± she said eventually.


    ¡°Yepieeeeeeeeeee!¡± chorused her three friends.


    ¡°Cheers!¡± they said clinking their sses.


    With the help of Lilian, Lisa and Jane, Emily picked a nice and attractive  gown from the store. It was attractive with an open neck line. Emily felt the cloth was too revealing.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this too revealing?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s perfect Emily. Make sure to put this on,¡± Lilian finished.


    The party was lively and shouty. The DJ invited everyone to the dance floor. All manner and styles of dance were being exhibited on the dance floor. The guys rocked thedies who danced with careless abandon. The smell of alcohol filled the air and it was surprisingly pleasant. Emily sat alone drinking wine having turned down all invitations from the guys to a dance. Her three friends urged her toe along but she declined. They went without her. Emily drank her wine with a smile on her face. It was a carefree one. She felt so good and it seemed her burdened and beclouded mind was easing off.


    The next time Emily realised where she was, she was in a room with a man. She was drunk too. He was bare chested. He pulled Emily to his embrace and gave her a passionate kiss. He focused on her mouth and nibbled softly. Emily stopped breathing when his delicate fingers touched her skin. He proceeded to take off her dress. She stretched her forefinger and touched his nipple and then his hand shot up to cover hers.


    ¡°I want you,¡± he said.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Her eyes flickered downward and her lips curved ever so slightly, ¡°I know.¡±


    His free hand slid through her hair at the same moment as his lips connected fiercely with hers.


    The taste of her, the smell of her, the feeling of her, so close against him, skin to skin. Time and space had no meaning anymore. There was only her.


    Emily woke up and realized she was naked. A man was there too, naked as well! What had she done?? She couldn¡¯t see his face in the darkness and she didn¡¯t bother to find out who it was she had made out with. She only noticed a conspicuous tatoo on his back.  A very beautiful design. Yet, it could only be visible if he took off his shirt. She picked her clothes, dressed up quickly and sneaked off quietly. She told no one about it. She tried not to think about it. She put the thought behind her and moved on.


    Three weekster, Emily fell sick. She felt so weak and nauseous. She took some pills but that did not help matters. She decided to go to the hospital for some tests. After work the following day, she went to the hospital. She ran some tests and waited for the result. She was sure it was going to be a minor illness. Some hourster, she was called to the tests office for the result. She took it from the nurse and opened it. She froze immediately.


    ¡°Congrattions madam, you are three weeks pregnant,¡± the nurse said beaming with smiles. Emily forced a smile and walked out. She opened the result and looked again. It was no joke. It was not a dream. She was indeed three weeks pregnant .

 Chapter 11

    What will be of her? It was true that Noah had disappeared and that she was alone in the marriage, but the two years wasn¡¯t over yet. She couldn¡¯t abort the baby. No. This was her first child and was going to be her pride.


    Emily spent theing days in deep thought.


    ¡°What am I going to do? I do not know the father of this baby. And I am married,¡± she asked herself everyday. Finally, a brilliant idea urred to her.


    Divorce!


    Yes. That was the answer. She had signed a contract that she would do nothing to tarnish the Harper¡¯s family image. Getting pregnant out of wedlock will go a long way to dent the family image. She went inside and drafted a divorce agreement. She asked for nothing. She didn¡¯t want anything. She only wanted to leave the marriage.


    Noah was seated in his office going through some files. Noah moved out of USA to get away and cut all ties with Emily. He despised her and went very far away from her and all thoughts rting to her. His secretary, Mr Yates knocked carefully and entered.


    ¡°Good day sir. You have a confidential mail,¡± he announced.


    Noah raised his head and looked at him.


    ¡°Office mail?¡± he asked coldly.


    ¡°No sir. It¡¯s a private and personal mail,¡± the secretary replied.


    ¡°Okay. I will check it right away,¡± he answered, dismissing the secretary.


    Noah took out his phone and opened his mail box. Truly, there was a mail.


    ¡®DIVORCE AGREEMENT¡¯


    The caption read. He swallowed hard and read it all.


    ¡°What??? How dare she divorce me? When the two years isn¡¯t over? Has she gone nuts?¡± he shouted.


    He quickly sent for his secretary who showed up instantly.


    ¡°Make the necessary arrangements and book me the first flight tomorrow to US,¡± he ordered.


    ¡°But sir, you have four meetings scheduled for tomorrow,¡± Mr Yates reminded him.


    ¡°Postpone them all,¡± he said tly.


    ¡°Again sir? The meeting has been postponed twice already.¡±


    Noah¡¯s face turned red in anger.


    ¡°What? Are we debating on this issue?¡± he thundered.


    ¡°I am sincerely sorry sir. Pardon me. I overstepped my boundaries,¡± Mr Yates apologized bowing low.


    ¡°I will deduct half of your next sry bonus. That will teach you to behave,¡± Noah said with a tone of finality. Mr Yates¡¯s face fell. He hadn¡¯t known when he blurted that out. He was only concerned. Now, he had lost half of his mouth watering bonus.  He quickly left to book the flight.


    The following morning met Noah at the US airport. He had justnded. He entered his car and his driver drove straight home. He opened the door and the servants greeted in unison,


    ¡°Good morning, Young Master.¡±


    ¡°Where is Emily?¡± he asked, his eyes brewing fire.


    ¡°We¡­haven¡¯t seen her, master,¡± one volunteered to speak for others.


    ¡°What do you mean by you have not seen her?¡± Noah thundered, thest bit of his patience threatening to snap at any moment.


    ¡°Sir¡­ sir¡­¡± the servant stammered, too scared to speak.


    ¡°Can you answer me?¡± Noah probed further.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Sir, ¡­. we seldom meet her at home. We onlye in¡­ the morning after she had left for work and leave before she returns sir,¡± the servant finally mustered courage to speak.


    Noah stormed out of the house filled with rage.


    ¡°Drive to Kim¡¯s Enterprise,¡± he instructed the driver.


    Kim¡¯s Enterprise was one of  his subsidiary firms. That was where Emily worked. He had offered her employment there.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± the driver said and reversed the car.


    Noah¡¯s presence at Kim¡¯s Enterprise surprised all the employees. They quickly set to work harder and better than before. They couldn¡¯t risk it.


    ¡°Good morning President Noah,¡± each employee he came across greeted with a low bow. But Noah didn¡¯t spare even a nce at any of them. With a dreadful look on his face, he took the elevator to the third floor. He went to Emily¡¯s supposed office.


    The manager stood up with a start.


    ¡°Pre¡­ president Noah!¡± he stammered.


    ¡°Where is Emily?¡± he queried the manager.


    ¡°She tendered her resignation a few days ago, sir,¡± the manager replied.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Noah screamed grabbing the manager by the neck.


    ¡°And how dare you? How could you let her resign? Why? Are you crazy?¡± he yelled nearly chocking the poor manager.


    The poor fellow could barely breathe but he knew better than ignoring president Noah.


    ¡°I ¡­ I¡­ am¡­ sorry.. Sir,¡± he struggled to say.


    ¡°You are fired,¡± Noah said releasing him and letting him fall to the ground like a pack of crumpled cards.


    ¡°Oh! Master Noah! President Noah! have mercy on me,¡± the manager fell on his knees and pleaded.


    Noah red at him and he kept mute at once.  Noah thought for a while. He did not have Emily¡¯s contact and there was no way he could reach her. He never bothered to have her phone number in their one and half years of marriage. He had been too disgusted and angry with her to think of that. He wanted to cut all ties with her. He looked at the manager on the floor and said,


    ¡°I will only give you one grace. Find me Emily¡¯s contact information and I will forgive you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you sir,¡± the manager said and sprang up immediately. He knocked his foot on a table but he didn¡¯t mind. He was running to the personnel department for Emily¡¯s information.


    He showed up two minutester with everything. Noah took it and walked away.


    ¡°I will definitely find you, you idiot. You dare to divorce me. I will murder you,¡± Noah cursed as he went back to the car. He dailed her number but she was too fast. She had stopped using the number. He searched for her email and it was also non existent. What??? This was the very email that had sent the divorce papers.


    ¡°Drive back home,¡± Noah instructed the driver again.


    Once he was home, Noahid off all the household servants.


    ¡°Emily has no where to go. She will definitelye back home,¡± he thought.  But how wrong he was. A year and half was enough to make Emily stronger. He walked up the stairs and to her former room.


    He saw all the clothes he bought for her in the wardrobe. She has really taken nothing of his. But, her bags and all that belonged to her was gone. He had been a bit toote. Emily had fled.

 Chapter 12

    But, where could she have gone?


    Noah took out his phone and dailed a number,This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Look out for Emily Grants. Find her, dead or alive. You have only a week to do that,¡± he issued his orders and ended the call.


    He made another call,


    ¡°Any information about that woman?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Not yet sir. We are working very hard to find her. We have gotten the records of all the employees in that hotel. We will look into the attendees of that party too,¡±  the man at the other end answered.


    ¡°Also remember to look out for my ring, and keep this private, understand?¡± Noah asked.


    ¡°Yes sir. We will give you feedback soon,¡± the other man replied promptly.


    Some weeks ago, Noah had returned to the city for a business trip. Somehow, he found himself with a woman and he had a memorable time with her. But she was no where to be found in the morning and he didn¡¯t get to see her face. But he had slid his customized gold ring on her finger. Hence, he was certain she would be found soon.


    ¡°Emily, I will deal with you. How dare you divorce me? What impudence,¡± Noah swore.


    Two weeks swept past in a sh, yet, no trace of Emily. That was Noah¡¯s greatest hit. Never had he looked for someone for that long.


    ¡°If she were dead, where the heck is her useless body? How can you not find her? Of what use are you?¡± he yelled at his man who reported theck of progress.


    ¡°I am sorry sir. We will double and intensify our efforts,¡± the other man quickly apologised.


    ¡°You better do¡±, Noah grunted and ended the call.


    ¡°What is going on father? How can you say your business is going down?¡± Rose asked her father that evening.


    ¡°Exactly as I put it. We are going bankrupt. If only we¡­¡± Williams began toment. But, Olivia quickly cut in


    ¡°¡­ Yes. If only that Emily girl didn¡¯t mess things up.¡±


    ¡°Someone is buying our shares greatly and at a very fast rate. With time, we will have no share in thatpany. And we might have to loose it to that highest shareholder,¡± Williamsmented sadly.


    ¡°And who is this buyer, can¡¯t we stop him?¡± Rose questioned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know him. He is an anonymous shareholder, strangely enough,¡± Williams replied.


    ¡°You better man up and do something about yourpany. We won¡¯t starve in this house,¡± Olivia said spitefully.


    ¡°Father, that¡¯s my inheritance. I will not be happy with you if it goes bankrupt¡­¡± Rose retorted and could have spat out more of her nonsense but for the ringing of her phone. It was her boyfriend, Clinton.


    ¡°Hey baby,¡±  he called out.


    ¡°Sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°I am outside. Hope you are ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes, baby,¡± she replied and hurried out.


    Clinton was a handsome youth of about 28 years old. He was initially Emily¡¯s boyfriend. Rose has never been happy for any luck gotten by Emily. She saw how Clinton always doted on Emily and was green with envy. She always had her ways. She was very quick to remove any one who stood in her way. She did same to Emily and soon, Emily was out if the picture before she knew it. Completely forgotten even before she could say Jack. Her supposed man, and the love of her life, was in the arms of another woman at the snap of her fingers. Not just another woman, but her own sister. She couldn¡¯t fight back, she could do nothing but cry. Rose was always triumphant.


    What the Grant family did not know was that the anonymous share holder was Noah. He had been so filled with rage at Emily¡¯s divorce and disappearance that he swore to deal with her next of kin. He couldn¡¯t do it openly as he couldn¡¯t tell the world that his wife divorced him. He couldn¡¯t bear the ignominy. He silently bought thepany¡¯s shares. He was going to render them bankrupt.


    Noahy on his bed surfing the. He too has turned detective! All thanks to Emily Grant.


    ¡°Damn,¡± he swore.


    Emily was no important person. No trace of her on the.


    ****************************************************


    Slowly, years ran by. Three years went past. No trace of Emily. And no trace of his one nightdy.


    One morning, Noah¡¯s phone rang.


    ¡°Good morning Master Noah,¡± the man greeted as soon as the call connected.


    ¡°Morning. What is it?¡± Noah replied.


    ¡°We found the woman with the ring,¡± the man said.


    Noah stood up immediately, a broad smile on his face.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. Extremely great. Send her over immediately.¡±


    ¡°Sir¡­. sir¡­ I wasn¡¯t¡­¡± the man stammered.


    ¡°What is the problem? Can¡¯t you send her over? Pay the required expenses. Make sure shees over,¡± Noah rambled on in excitement.


    ¡°Sir, she disappeared. We could not find her.¡±


    ¡°What? What do you mean by that? Are you all dead woods? How could you not find her?¡± Noah thundered.


    ¡°We¡­ sighted the ring sir, but before we coulde closer, she disappeared from out sight,¡± the man exined in fear.


    ¡°You all are crazy. Crazy. Very crazy. Ipetent fools. Listen to what you are saying. She disappeared. Is she a spirit?¡±


    ¡°We are very sorry sir¡­¡± the man apologized.


    ¡°Sorry for yourself. Now, search again. Search everywhere and make sure to find her. Is that clear?¡± Noah instructed.


    ¡°Yes sir. We won¡¯t fail this time sir,¡± the man promised.


    ¡°No mistakes. Make sure to bring her,¡± Noah stressed and the line went dead.


    Noah mmed his fists on the table.


    ¡°Gosh. What¡¯s going on? How did she disappear? And why are they all disappearing? Is it now a spirit. What ipetent men I¡¯ve got,¡± he said to himself.


    That woman had stirred up his emotions. She had woken his emotional life and his heart which was once killed. He didn¡¯t wake up one morning and decide to dislike women. He didn¡¯t ignore all the rumors that he was gay for nothing. His heart died once. And will probably remain dead till that woman from that nightes back. He had given her his all and she made him regret it. It was her who killed his heart. Never will he forget her name. She was no other than¡­

 Chapter 13

    Grace Shields. Her name was forbidden in Noah¡¯s world. She was his first love.


    Noah loved her with his whole heart. He gave her everything and treasured her. Noah travelled out for a year. He made sure to keep in touch with her and made her feel cherished. He treated her like a priority and not an option despite the distance barrier and his busy schedule. He was just eighteen years old at that time. His mother¡¯s death did not affect his love for her. He only left to get over his mother¡¯s death. But when he returned, he realized he had long lost her. She walked away and never looked back. Despite everything. Noah begged her and kept pleading but she wasn¡¯t moved. For two years, Noah was a shadow of himself. He could not get over her. That was when his heart died. No mother, no sibling, and no lover. Grace Shields. His first andst love.


    Noah shivered at the thought. He had put the thought behind him and had given up on love. His heart belonged to only Grace but she killed it. But the woman from that night changed everything. He longed for her. He wanted her. He needed her. He  had never felt the way he felt that night before. He swore to marry her as soon as he finds her.


    The sun rose and smiled at Emily and her four year old son. Today was coincidentally exactly four years she fled from USA and migrated to China. After she divorced Noah, China was the only ce she could think of. She had learnt Chinese as a foreignnguage while she was in school and she was very serious with thenguage course then. That helped her a lot. China was also the farthest she thought she could go from Noah. Noah always found who he wanted. Hence, she ran so far.


    That day she hadnded at the airport, she ran into a young girl of about neen years of age. She passed by swiftly and a purse dropped from her slightly open bag as she collided with Emily.


    ¡°Hey, you dropped this,¡± Emily called out to her. She either didn¡¯t hear or maybe she didn¡¯t understand English. Emily picked up the purse and opened it. It contained some yaun notes and an ID. Her name was Gu Yanxi. Her contact was also on the ID. Emily decided to call her. But her phone was inside the purse as well.


    Emily checked into a hotel and thought of the way forward. She had to settle down fast and get a job. She knew it was not going to be easy as she knew no one in China.


    Somewhere in apany, Gu Yanxi was searching for her ID. She had an interview to attend. She was equally a young girl trying to make ends meet. She had applied for a job and the interview was that morning, but lo and behold! her ID card was no where to be found. She searched for her phone, it was the same story. Missing.


    ¡°Goodness me! What is it this morning?¡± she said. She was about to miss the interview.


    The phone at the front desk rang.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± the caller greeted in Chinese.


    ¡°Good morning to you too. How may I help you madam,¡±  thedy at the front desk replied politely and fluently in Chinese too.


    The caller switched to English and soon, thedy called out,


    ¡°Is there anyone here that bears the name Gu Yanxi?¡±


    Gu Yanxi stepped forward immediately. She wondered what was amiss.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°I hope it¡¯s no bad news. Let me settle one thing first. Oh! Heavens please,¡± she prayed silently.


    ¡°I am the one. Gu Yanxi,¡± she said to thedy.


    ¡°She is here,¡± thedy said to the caller. She handed the phone to Gu Yanxi saying,


    ¡°English please.¡±


    Gu Yanxi nodded and took the phone. She knew a bit of English as it was the foreignnguage she had studied.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± she spoke into the receiver.


    ¡°Good morning. I am Emily. I picked your purse at the airport,¡±  Emily, who was the caller said. Gu Yanxi¡¯s heart leapt for joy that instant.


    ¡°Oh my goodness! Thank you so much,¡± she thanked her.


    ¡°I called you through thepany on your ID since your phone is here too,¡± Emily exined. Gu Yanxi¡¯s joy knew no bounds. Her phone and ID had just been found. But how was she going to get it? She had to act fast as it was soon her turn to be interviewed. She thought of returning but she didn¡¯t know how far the caller was.


    ¡°Excuse me. Are you there?¡± she called out


    ¡°Yes,¡±  Emily replied.


    ¡°May I know your location, please?¡± Gu Yanxi asked.


    ¡°Royal suites. I just arrived in the country,¡± Emily replied.


    ¡°Ohhh. Please, I am in a bit of situation. I do not mean to disturb you. I am sorry. But please, I need the ID now for an interview in about ten minutes. And your location is about fifteen minutes from here. How about I order you a cab to bring it over? I will pay your transport fare back please,¡± Gu Yanxi pleaded.


    Emily thought a while. It was not going to be a bad idea. At least, she could make a new friend to help guide her around.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Emily replied.


    ¡°Thank you so much,¡± Gu Yanxi thanked her profusely.


    It happened that Emily brought the purse and was fortunate to be employed as a cleaner because cleaners were needed urgently. She couldn¡¯t believe her luck. It was below her qualification but she took it without minding that.


    It¡¯s been four years now. She and Gu Yanxi have be the best of friends. She was now working as a full time office employee in thatpany, all thanks to Gu Yanxi. She was also a very famous designer in the whole of China and it¡¯s environs. She went by the name ¡°Butterfly designs.¡± Gu Yanxi had been so helpful all along. They were both indebted to each other.


    ¡°Good morning Emily. A penny for your thoughts,¡± Gu Yanxi greeted and joked at the same time. They lived together and were more like sisters. She had been watching Emily in deep thought for a while now. Emily smiled and said,


    ¡°Morning. It¡¯s been four years since I arrived her. Exactly four years. I am grateful to you Yanxi¡­ ¡± tears dropped down her face. Gu Yanxi pulled her into a warm embrace.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I am grateful to you too.¡±


    ¡°Mummy! I have been selected to attend thepetition,¡± Liam, Emily¡¯s son  announced to his mother in excitement. He had just returned from school that evening.


    ¡°I am proud of you my son. Where is thepetition set to hold?¡± Emily asked smiling warmly at him.


    ¡°USA mummy,¡± replied the excitedd.


    Emily¡¯s face fell.


    ¡± USA??¡±

 Chapter 14

    USA?


    Why? That was her past. Her son¡¯s unknown father, her family as well as Noah was in that country. She didn¡¯t want her son to have anything to do with USA. She hade to China for good. She did not want her son going there and finding out things.


    ¡°Mummy,¡± Liam called tapping her thigh and pulling her out of her thoughts.


    ¡°Yes dear,¡± she replied trying to act alright.


    ¡°Our teacher said we should prepare fast. He also said we will be leaving in two days. And that out parents will be notified too. He gave me a letter to give to mummy too,¡± he said and opened his back pack. He took out the letter from one of his books where he had carefully tucked it away safely. Despite his age, he was very careful and organised unlike children of his age. He handed it to his mother.


    ¡°Okay, Liam. Go in and undress,¡± she said dismissing him.


    She smiled as he went in. He was indeed her pride. She was very grateful to have him. He was a very obedient, smart and hardworking little boy. He looked exactly like Emily but his character was definitely not hers. He was extremely smart, and had a high IQ.


    ¡°Maybe like his father,¡± Emily had always concluded.


    He loved building blocks and was highly interested inputer and technology. He made Emily buy thetest models of building blocks. He always practiced and could arrange the blocks in just a little time. At school when he learnt of thepetition, he quickly pressed his mother to register him. He took the test and was selected to participate.


    ¡°But why USA? Why? Yanxi?¡± Emily asked Gu Yanxi for the umpteenth time that evening.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Emily. This little guy has spent time preparing for thispetition. You can¡¯t deny or deprive him the joy ofpeting. Remember, you said you registered him to expose him topetitions. Are you going back on your word now? A lot of people wanted their kids to be selected. A lot of kids wanted to go too. But he was selected. You can¡¯t deny him a chance to prove himself the best among his peers. Do you want to break the news to him right now? How does it sound, ¡°Liam, you are no longer going for thepetition?¡± What if he asks why? What reason will you give him? Moreover, you can¡¯t keep running from your past. It¡¯s just apetition. He isn¡¯t going to meet Noah. Neither is he going to search for his father. The father doesn¡¯t know he exists. Stop being paranoid Emily,¡± Gu Yanxi exined at length..


    ¡°But I am not. What if he runs into Noah? And Noah finds out about me and what if¡­¡± Emily began her what ifs.


    ¡°Enough Emily. Firstly, thispetition is not organised by Noah. Neither is it organised by hispany, ck what ever. He is definitely not going to be there. Even if hees, out of the multitude of kids, he will not suddenly see you in Liam. Okay?¡± Gu Yanxi interrupted.


    Emily looked at her still unsatisfied with her exnation.


    ¡°Liam is going and that¡¯s final. Remember, you struggled so hard to achieve your dream of butterfly designs. Now, let the boy be happy with hispetition. Who knows, he might win. We will prepare him together. We will tell his teacher to look out for him. He will not stray. Okay?¡± Gu Yanxi consoled her. Emily finally agreed grudgingly.


    The day came for the kids to leave. Liam was to go with two other boys from his school. It was a nationalpetition but it was hosted at the headquarters of the building blockpany which was at USA. Emily bade him goodbye and prayed the teacher to look after him.


    They teacher and three kids were on their way to the venue. They had arrived at the bus stop and were walking down to the venue. The teacher met some of his colleagues from China too. He was excited and said to the kids,


    ¡°Wait right here, okay? Make sure not to run into the road. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Teacher,¡± they chorused.


    As the teacher left to see his colleagues, the children looked around and were absorbed by the beautiful scenario. It was a pleasant site.


    ¡°Wow. Look at that high tower,¡± Zhou Jiang, one of the kids called out to the others.


    ¡°Wow. It¡¯s so nice. Look at these flowers too. We don¡¯t have such in our country,¡± Liam joined in.


    ¡°I wish I could touch them and also see that tall building,¡± Bai Quin, thest boy said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just go see it,¡± Zhou Jiang urged half pulling Bai Quin along. Bai Quin thought it a nice idea. But Liam thought otherwise.


    ¡°No, we can¡¯t go. Out teacher asked us to stay right here. He said we should not move out of here.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t have the chance to see this beautiful city again. Let¡¯s go now,¡± Bai Quin persisted.


    ¡°No. Come back,¡± Liam cautioned pulling them both back.


    ¡°Leave us!. If you won¡¯te along, let go,¡± they chorused and shoved him aside with all their might. He fell right into the road and let out a heart piercing cry.


    A car was driving at a high speed when that happened. The driver quickly jammed his brakes and narrowly escaped hitting the boy. The driver frowned at the youngd¡¯s carelessness. What amazed him further was that this boy saw his caring and sat right there still screaming ¡°ahhh!¡± Does he think this is some movie? He stormed out of his car to give him a good spanking.


    ¡°Hey, kid, can you stop screaming ¡®ahhh¡¯ and  get out of the road?¡± Noah, the driver of the car asked furiously.


    The boy had his face lowered. He stopped screaming and started crying.


    ¡°Mummy¡­ Mummy¡­¡±


    Noah¡¯s heart melted. His initial anger vanished. He saw himself in that boy. Once upon a time, he cried out like that but no one came to his rescue. His mother was gone never to return.


    He knew he had to be nice at that time. He tapped the boy gently on his shoulder and he raised his head. When Noah saw his face, he was transfixed to the spot.

 Chapter 15

    He was such a lovely boy. Probably the loveliest boy Noah had ever seen. Noah was a very cold person and rarely spared people a nce, talk more of a second nce. The boy had a pretty face and a small firm mouth. His eyes were teary, yet lovely. Before he could realize it, he handed the boy a handkerchief.


    ¡°Good morning Mister,¡± Liam greeted in Chinese. Noah was taken aback. Ohhh! He was a foreigner.


    ¡°What is your name?¡± Noah asked in English, hoping the boy would answer.


    ¡°Liam,¡± he answered and wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He didn¡¯t take the handkerchief.


    ¡°Hey kid, here is a handkerchief,¡± Noah said nicely, still holding the handkerchief towards the boy. He was even surprised at his own kindness and patience. Liam shook his head and said,


    ¡°No. My mummy said I should not take things from strangers,¡± he said in English.


    ¡°What an obedient boy,¡± Noah thought.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s good to be obedient. Are you Chinese?¡± he askedThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied


    ¡°What¡¯s your name again?¡± Noah asked further


    ¡°Liam Muxin¡±, he answered.


    Emily had taken up a Chinese name after some time. She went by the name Emily Ron Muxin. Herst name was Muxin.


    ¡°What is your own name?¡± Liam asked surprising Noah. He hadn¡¯t expected the question to be returned by the little boy.


    ¡°I¡¯m Noah. Noah Harper.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Mister Noah,¡± Liam said and smiled.


    It was a smile that could melt the heart.


    ¡°Be careful next time, and don¡¯t run into the road again, okay?¡± Noah cautioned, smiling warmly at the smiling boy. He nodded and was about to say something when he saw his teacher.


    ¡°That¡¯s my teacher. I need to go. Goodbye Mister Noah,¡± he called out waving at him. Noah waved back too. He just couldn¡¯t say no.


    Noah drove to work with a broad smile on his face. The little boy, Liam had lifted his spirit.


    Twenty minutester, his secretary, Mr Yates walked it.


    ¡°Good morning sir,¡± he greeted.


    ¡°Morning,¡± Noah responded for the first time. Mr Yates was taken aback. The response was unheard of.


    ¡°Sir, thepetition is set to begin in thirty minutes and you are the guest of honor,¡± Mr Yates said.


    ¡°Whatpetition?¡± Noah asked puzzled.


    ¡°Sir, it¡¯s the building blockpetition,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Did you ept that on my behalf? When did I start attendingpetitions? Have you gone nuts?¡± Noah yelled at him.


    ¡°I am sorry sir. But sir, it was you who signed the approval,¡± the secretary interjected.


    ¡°What? When? Let me see,¡± Noah answered.


    ¡°When did I do this? How did I ept to show up as a guest of honour at apetition? I have already dispatched delegates and representatives to my various meetings for the day,¡± Noah thought within.


    ¡°Sir, this is it,¡± the secretary said handing a document to Noah. Noah red at him and took it.  On the document was his signature, and his seal. He had signed that two weeks ago. How and when did he do that?  What was all these? So, he would be going to apetition? Impossible¡­


    ¡°Sir, should I get the car ready?¡± Mr Yates called interrupting his thoughts.


    Noah took a deep breath. It was going to be embarrassing if he didn¡¯t show up. He had already signed the invitation long before hand. He nodded and said,


    ¡°Okay, get the car ready. Get set too. You areing along.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Mr Yates said and left the office.


    ¡°Damn!¡± Noah swore and banged his fists on the table in exasperation.


    ¡°Good morning distinguisheddies, gentleman, teachers, parents, well wishers and our beautiful and amazing kids,¡± the Master of Ceremony cleared his throat and said.


    ¡°We wee you today to the fifteenth annual building blockspetition and the first being hosted in the united States.¡± There was a excited shout and round of apuse from the audience.


    The Master of Ceremony continued after the apuse and noise and cheering had died down.


    ¡°Thepetition will be divided into three sections. The first will be all the participants, the second will be the best ten and thest will be the best five¡­.¡±


    His words died in his mouth as a sudden hush fell over the hall. He looked up to see what it was that stunned the audience.


    He saw a man walking in like an emperor, with a noble and domineering aura. His body was almost 1. 88 meters tall and he was dressed in a ck suit. The man had a majestic brow and a perfect profile. His deep ck eyes were as profound as the night  and his imposing presence was intimidating.


    The man who was cold and dignified had the vigour of a noble man and the confidence of an upper ss person. He was a formidable man. He walked without looking at anyone as if everyone and everything were trivial to him.


    It was no other than the mighty Noah Harper. President Noah Harper. The guest of honour.


    ¡°Let¡¯s wee our guest of honour, President Harper,¡± the MC said after he found his tongue. The audience cheered and pped.


    ¡°He is the CEO of ckwood Towers, the famouspany in our country and its environs,¡± he said, exining Noah¡¯s identity in details. Noah sat down and soon, thepetition began. Thepeting kids were called out.


    In five minutes, Liam was done arranging his building blocks to the amazement of the audience. He was done while the other kids were still struggling with theirs. By the time they got to the finals, Liam emerged the winner.


    ¡°Let¡¯s call upon the guest of honour, President Harper to hand the price to the winner,¡± the MC announced.


    Noah stood up and was surprised to see that this very impressive and amazingd was Liam, the boy he met in the morning.  When Liam saw him, he shed him a brilliant and beautiful smile. Noah smiled back instantly. Noah shook his hands, congratted him and handed him his prizes.


    When thepetition and the asion was over, Noah was happy to havee. He was proud of Liam as if he were his own son. He walked to his car in satisfaction. He was about entering the car when a little hand stooped him. He was amazed. That never happened. Everyone knew his status and knew better than disturbing him. He looked at the person and it was little Liam. He had the cutest smile as he said,


    ¡°Mister Noah, can I take a picture with you please, I want to show it to my mummy.¡±

 Chapter 16

    Noah was marvelled at his courage.  He epted to take a picture with the little boy. A photographer had a nice picture taken and the hard copy was handed to Noah, who in turn took one and gave the other one to Liam.


    ¡°I will tell my mummy I took a picture with the most famous CEO in the country,¡±  Liam sang beaming with smiles. Noah patted his head like a pet.


    ¡°Good bye Mister Noah,¡± Liam waved at him as he entered his car and drove off.


    ¡°Here, have this framed and bring it to me,¡± he instructed his secretary handing the picture to him.


    Emily sat quietly drafting the design of a dress. She was so engrossed and absorbed in what she was doing that she had her eyes for nothing else. The door was flung open and in came Liam, rushing like a whirlwind into his mother¡¯s arms, taking her unawares and nearly throwing her off the seat.


    ¡°Mummy!¡± he screamed and nestled himself in thefort of her bosom. Emily hugged her only child and kissed his forehead.


    ¡°How are you my baby?¡± she asked kindly.


    ¡°I am fine mummy. And how are you too?¡± he responded.


    Emily looked and saw his teacher. She stood up quickly and greeted him.


    ¡°Good evening, Sir Xu. How are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Very well, thank you,¡± he responded.


    ¡°Have a sit, sir,¡± Emily said and gestured him to a seat.


    ¡°No, thank you. I am about leaving. Your son has made you, the school and us all proud. He came first in thepetition. In this bag here are his prizes,¡± Sir Xu Cheng announced excitedly handing a bag to Emily who took it with great joy.


    ¡°Wow. My baby!¡± Emily eximed and hugged her son tighter.


    ¡°I will be leaving now miss. It was a long journey, we need to rest,¡± the teacher said and made for the door.


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s true. Thank you for taking care of my son. Get enough rest sir. And have a good night rest,¡± Emily called out as he left.


    ¡°Anytime, you are wee. Liam is such a lovely boy,¡± the teacher finished and was soon out of sight.


    ¡°Mummy, did you know that I was able toplete my blocks before everyone else? It was so easy. They were all struggling with theirs but I was done,¡± Liam said to his mum triumphantly.


    ¡°I am proud of you baby,¡± Emily said and rubbed his head.


    ¡°Mummy, I also saw the biggest CEO in USA. He shook my hands and I took a picture with him,¡± he cried again and rummaged his bag for the prized picture.  Emily didn¡¯t think of anything or anyone. She momentarily forgot that the biggest CEO was Noah Harper. She watched her son hand her a picture. He pointed at the smiling man and said,


    ¡°That¡¯s him mummy. He is my friend.¡±


    Emily¡¯s smile vanished and was suddenly reced with fear and worry.


    ¡°Noah?¡± she blurted out.


    ¡°You know him mummy?¡± Liam asked.


    ¡°No¡­ no. Not at all. I don¡¯t know him. What is his name?¡±  Emily asked feigning ignorance.


    ¡°But you called his name now mummy,¡± Liam insisted.


    ¡°No dear. It was just a coincidence. What is your friend¡¯s name?¡± Emily asked still ying cool.


    ¡°Mister Noah Harper,¡± Liam stated.


    ¡°Nice. And how did he be your friend?¡± Emily pressed further.


    ¡°Zhou Jiang and Bai Quin pushed me and I fell on the road. He was driving that time and he nearly hit me but he stopped and came down. That was how we met first. He also attended thepetition and was called upon to give me my prize as the guest of honour. That was how he became my friend,¡± Liam exined in details.


    ¡°That¡¯s nice. Okay, go in and take your bath,¡± Emily said dismissing him. He was a very helpful boy and could undress and have his bath on his own despite his little age.


    Emily broke into a silent sob the moment Liam left her sight.


    What would be of her? How and why will her son be friends with her ex husband? Her greatest fears havee to pass. Noah will definitely find out his mother ande after her. If only she knew, she would not have listened to Gu Yanxi and let her son attend thepetition. Now, Noah knows about her son. Different thoughts kept flooding her mind making her sad all the more.


    Gu Yanxi was quick to notice her mood when she came back home that evening. But before she could say anything about it, Liam came running excitedly,


    ¡°Aunty Yanxi,¡± he screamed and ran into her open arms.


    ¡°How are you?¡± Gu Yanxi asked tenderly.


    ¡°Fine, Aunty Yanxi. Aunty, I won thepetition,¡± he announced smiling broadly.


    ¡°Is that so? Congrattions! We are going to celebrate this,¡± Gu Yanxi said in excitement. She looked at Emily and noticed she was still sad and lost in thought.


    ¡°What could be the reason for her mood when her son came first in apetition?¡± she thought.


    ¡°Tell me about thepetition,¡± she said to Liam intending to start a conversation. Liam was very happy to tell his tale.


    ¡°Aunty Gu, did you know that I was able toplete my blocks before everyone else? It was so easy. They were all struggling with theirs but I was done,¡± Liam said to her with pride.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Oh dear. I am so proud of you,¡± she replied and opened her bag. ¡°In fact, have some candy,¡± she said giving him a handful of candy which he took with relish.


    ¡°Thank you aunty. Aunty, I also made a new friend,¡± he continued.


    ¡°Wow, so soon?¡± Gu Yanxi asked.


    ¡°Yes. He is the most famous man in the country. His name is Mister Noah Harper. And I took a picture with him. Let me hurry and get it,¡± he said and hurried off like a rushing wind.


    ¡°Noah Harper! He met Noah,¡± Gu Yanxi said within. She instantly knew the reason behind Emily¡¯s sad state, her tears and her being lost in thought. She was about to make a move when Liam came in with the picture.


    ¡°The picture is lovely. Keep it well okay,¡± Gu Yanxi said aiming to avoid arousing any form of suspicion within the boy.


    ¡°Yes Aunty, I will,¡± he answered and turned to his mummy.


    ¡°Aunty, what is wrong with mummy?¡± he asked in concern. Gu Yanxi knew she had to lie to him this once. She took a deep breath and said,


    ¡°She is not feeling to well. Go to your room so that you don¡¯t disturb her, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay. Get well soon mummy,¡± Liam said and left for his room.


    Gu Yanxi went closer and tapped Emily. Emily looked at her and said,


    ¡°Noah,¡± and broke down in tears.

 Chapter 17

    ¡°Noah¡­ he knows about my ¡­ son. He will soon find him and I too,¡± Emily sobbed.


    ¡°Why will you be thinking like a child, Emily?¡± Gu Yanxi chided.


    ¡°How? But it¡¯s true. They are friends, what if he looks for him? And finds out I am his mother? Or what if hees and¡­¡± Emily rambled on.


    ¡°Hey! What is wrong with you? Did you leave your brains behind somewhere? What do you mean by he will find his mother and all the nonsenseing from your mouth? He doesn¡¯t know Liam is your son, Emily. Put yourself together and get your act together. Behave maturedly please. I don¡¯t want to hear any of these words from you. There are a lot of kids out there. He will note looking for one and seeing your son alone won¡¯t make him remember you. Okay? Moreover, yourst name is now Muxin. Liam bears the name Liam Muxin and not Liam Grant. Go and have dinner Emily and don¡¯t say this anymore. Your son will not meet your ex husband anywhere. And possibly, Noah might not have searched for you. Stop being paranoid,¡± Gu Yanxi rebuked. She gave her a handkerchief saying,


    ¡°Here, Emily. Wipe your tears. Have dinner and continue with the new design you are working on.¡±


    Night fell and Emily thought she wasn¡¯t going to sleep. She held her son closely and stayed wide awake. But nature took its course and she slept off soon after.


    Noah was holding Liam and they were chatting happily. Liam turned and saw his mum, Emily.


    ¡°Mummy!¡± he called out in joy dragging Noah with him towards Emily. Noah facial expression changed and turned sour the moment he sighted her. He charged towards her and she turned and fled. He followed in hot pursuit. He stooped after some time and grabbed Liam.


    ¡°I will take away your son then. You must pay for the bridge of contract,¡± he threatened. Liam was frightened. He began to cry. He gave a heart piercing scream that struck Emily right in her heart. She stopped running immediately and turned.


    ¡°Let go of my son, Noah,¡± she yelled, her own courage surprising her. She didn¡¯t know where she got such guts from. Noah looked at her and sneered.


    ¡°What? How dare you? Let go of your son? Why did you stop running? Even if you run, or stop running, your little thing is gone,¡± he finished and went off with Liam on his shoulder. Emily ran after them to take back her son. Noah gave her a kick that sent her flying in the air. He was soon out if sight with Liam.


    ¡°Give me back my son. My son!¡± Emily screamed but Noah and her son were no where to be found.


    ¡°Nooooo!¡± Emily screamed from her sleep. She was shaking vigorously and sweating profusely. It was just a dream. Thank goodness, it was just a dream. But it was not a good dream. She looked and saw her son still sleeping peacefully. She closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep but she couldn¡¯t. She sat up and went back to her design till day break.


    Few days went past and she had no more of such dreams. She began to rx. One week, two weeks, three weeks, nothing. No sign of Noah and nothing out of ordinary happened. She put it all behind her and lived her life normally.


    ¡°Meaning? What exactly do you mean right now?¡± Olivia asked her husband, Williams.


    ¡°All the shares have finally been bought. The shareholders have given their verdict,¡± he exined with a broken heart.


    ¡°Does that mean thepany is no longer ours?¡± Olivia asked.


    ¡°Yes. In a matter of hours. By tomorrow, the rights will be handed over to the greatest shareholder. And all we be lost,¡± he wailed.


    ¡°And who could that anonymous shareholder be? Who? We have to find him,¡± Olivia suggested.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Find him for what? What are you going to do? Stop him?¡± Williams sneered.


    ¡°Of course, he has to be stopped.¡±


    ¡°Well then, stop him if you can,¡± Williams answered.


    ¡°Williams! Why are you so nonchnt? Do you want to watch thatpany slip from your fingers? We were not able to get the five million dors promised us by the Mason family because of your daughter, Emily. We could have paid off our debts and stood on our feet.¡±


    ¡°The debts you incurred. When you were busy spending recklessly, hoping for millions of dors from heaven knows where,¡± Williams replied angrily.


    ¡°That is my daughter¡¯s inheritance. She deserves the best. I will divorce you once thatpany goes down. You better be silent and let¡¯s ressurect thepany. Thatpany must be handed over to Rose and in its full glory. Now tell me, who is this greatest shareholder?¡± Olivia questioned.


    ¡°President Noah,¡± Williams simply stated.


    ¡°What? You mean, Noah Harper?,¡± Olivia asked in surprise.


    ¡°Yes. That is him. He is the one buying the shares,¡± Williams repeated.


    ¡°That must be Emily¡¯s handiwork. She haspelled him to buy it over. That must be it,¡± Olivia assumed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Noah is gay. Emily must have wronged him and now he wants to get back at us,¡± Williams stated.


    ¡°Maybe. But either ways, Emily is still at fault. That girl is something else. Some bad luck. That¡¯s definitely what she is. Why does she always have to let things go wrong. If she had kept quiet like a sensible girl and behaved well, she would have married Jayden and we will all live happy lives. I wish I can justy my hands on her. I will definitely tear her to pieces,¡± Olivia fumed with indignation.


    ¡°Master Noah had warned that we should steer clear from her,¡± Williams reminded her.


    ¡°Damn!¡± Olivia swore and mmed her fists on the table.


    ¡°There must be a way out.¡±


    Rose walked in at the moment beaming with smiles. She had just returned from one of her numerous romantic outings. She looked around and noticed the tensed atmosphere.


    ¡°What is going on here?¡± she asked


    ¡°Everything. Emily¡¯s stupidity has cost us your father¡¯spany,¡± her mother exined.


    ¡°Excuse me? Whatpany?¡± Rose queried.


    ¡°The familypany,¡± came the reply


    ¡°What role did Emily y?¡± she pressed further


    ¡°She haspelled Noah to buy thepany so that we can be rendered bankrupt,¡± her mum responded.


    ¡°Or she has done something wrong and Noah decided to make us pay,¡± Williams chipped in.


    ¡°Either ways, she is to me. Emily is to me. If only she had married Jayden. She is to me and that¡¯s final,¡± Olivia added spitefully.


    ¡°You mean the greatest shareholder who is about to take over ourpany is Noah Harper?¡± Rose asked again. She wanted to be sure she heard right.


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s him,¡± Williams rified her.


    Rose thought for a while. A smile appeared in her face.


    ¡°I know what to do.¡±

 Chapter 18

    Rose and her ways. She had already mapped out her ns. Her parents looked on in surprise.


    ¡°What has she got up her sleeve?¡± they both could not  help but wonder. Rose went into her room and tidied up. She was soon out of the house.


    ¡°What could this smart daughter of mine be up to?¡± Olivia thought. She trusted her daughter¡¯s judgement. She was sure Rose would set things right.


    Rose set off to Noah¡¯s house. She had seen a car that was said to be his during her outing. He was at home most probably. This was her chance to hit big. She took a taxi to his exquisite Vi. The security men were surprised to see a visitor as their boss lived a private and solitary life.


    ¡°Who are you looking for, young miss?¡± one of the security men asked her.


    ¡°I am looking for president Noah,¡± she responded.


    ¡°Do you have an appointment with him? Is he aware you will being?¡± the man queried further.


    ¡°No. But tell him I am here to see him,¡± she replied.


    The man was marvelled at her confidence. He should tell Young Master Noah that ady was there to see him? He wondered what gave her such guts and the assurance that Noah Harper would let her in.


    ¡°Young miss, please, you should leave. He doesn¡¯t wee visitors without an appointment,¡± he said dismissing her. But Rose came prepared.


    ¡°Tell him he has a visitor. I need to see him,¡± she insisted.


    Meanwhile, Noah was lying on his bed. He looked noble and dignified even in his casual clothes. He was reading a book on his bed when he suddenly remembered something. He took his phone and called the security. As soon as the phone rang, one of the security men rushed for it.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Good day sir,¡± he greeted immediately the call connected.


    ¡°I need two people to go to Kim¡¯s Enterprise. Manager Greg will hand you a package. Guard it well and deliver it to ckwood Towers. Send it directly to the manager of the human resources department. Is that understood?¡± Noah asked.


    ¡°Yes sir¡­¡± he replied.


    ¡°Yes, I said, you should tell him I am here. He will like to see me,¡± Rose¡¯s voice echoed from the background. The voice drew Noah¡¯s attention. It was loud and clear. And he knew he never had visitors, talk more of a female.


    ¡°Who is that? What is going on there?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Sir, a young girl is here. She insisted on seeing you. But don¡¯t worry sir. We will send her away right now. We have told her you don¡¯t ept visitors but she is adamant and is proving stubborn. We will warn her again, if she doesn¡¯t heed, we will throw her out. You don¡¯t need to worry sir. We will handle it,¡± the security man answered promptly.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Noah ordered.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    ¡°Who is she? Find out now,¡± he called out.


    ¡°Okay sir,¡± the security man responded. He went closer and whispered something to his colleague who nodded and shifted back.


    ¡°Youngdy, who are you? Let¡¯s know your identity,¡± the man queried.


    Rose smiled and said, ¡°I am Rose Grant. The first daughter of the Grant family.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± the man responded and went back to give the report.


    ¡°Sir, she is the first daughter of the Grant family.¡±


    ¡°Damn. What is she doing here? That silly¡­¡± Noah began. But he had a second thought. What if she hade to tell him of her sister¡¯s whereabouts?  Maybe they wanted him to know so that he would let go of theirpany.  He was willing to give up thepany just to get Emily.


    ¡°Let her in,¡± he said tly.


    ¡°Sorry, sir¡­.¡± the security stammered. He waspletely taken by surprise at that. His boss seldom weed visitors and he was gay. Why will he ask them to let a girl in?


    ¡°Did you not hear me or have you gone deaf? Or probably crazy?¡± Noah asked in annoyance. He hated being questioned. The security man quickly corrected himself.


    ¡°I am sorry sir. We will let her in right away,¡± he replied and hurried to Rose and his colleague.


    ¡°Young Master asked us to let her in,¡± he whispered to his colleague.


    ¡°What?¡± he responded, equally surprised.


    ¡°Yes. He said we should let her in,¡± the former said again.


    ¡°Young miss, you may go in,¡± he said to Rose who beamed with smiles. She followed the other security man into the mainpound, her heart filled with unexinable joy. The security man led the way inside and ushered her to a seat. Noah no longer had household servants. He dismissed them after Emily fled as he had no use for them. He was never at home. He had decided to remain where he was since he left his house for Emily. Some minutester, Noah descended the stairs. His phoenix like eyes bore into Rose as if he could see through her and read her mind. She stood up and greeted him,


    ¡°Good afternoon, young master.¡± She took time to observe this man at a close range. He was tall and had exceptional facial features. His shirt was unbuttoned to his vicle giving her a chance to feed her eyes with the glorious sight. His dignified aura and the coldness emanating from him made her heart skip a bit. He studied her for a while and took a seat.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± he asked coldly.


    ¡°He is said to be handsome but he is even more handsome than is said. His voice too is ¡­¡± Rose drifted away in her thoughts but she was quick to pull her acts together.


    ¡°President Noah, I am the daughter of William¡¯s Grant and¡­¡± she began but Noah cut her short.


    ¡°¡­ Go straight to the point.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sir¡±, she answered embarrassed.


    ¡°I found out you were buying my father¡¯s shares. And I suspect it¡¯s Emily who is behind it. She must havepelled you to hurt us. We have done nothing wrong¡­.¡± she began to sob, pretending to be innocent.


    ¡°Emily? Compelled me? What are you saying?¡± he asked,pletely ignoring her actions.


    ¡°Yes. She doesn¡¯t like us. And she wants to paint us ck before you. Please, President Noah, let¡­¡±


    ¡°Where is Emily?¡± Noah asked impatiently.


    ¡°Emily? Isn¡¯t she home sir?¡± Rose asked in amazement.


    ¡°Damn. She doesn¡¯t even know her whereabouts,¡±  Noah said within him. It was of no use letting Rose in. It was time for her to get out.


    ¡°What do you want? I ask again,¡± Noah questioned.


    ¡°We could sort things out, Young Master Noah,¡± she said biting her lips and tugging at her dress.


    Did shee to seduce him? What guts she must have.


    ¡°I will do anything. Please, young master,¡± she continued, still tugging her dress to reveal her cleavage. Noah was utterly disgusted.


    ¡°Get out,¡± he ordered with thest bit of his patience. Rose didn¡¯t move. She was used to these moments and she knew her way around. But she was mistaken. Noah was different. She raised her dress exposing her beautifulps that were sexy. It only took a strong willed man to resist. She was very beautiful.


    ¡°I will give you only three seconds to get out,¡± he said tly. His voice was cold and distant. It was evident he was ustomed to giving orders and it had the power topel and subject people to obey. Rose saw his eyes brewing fire. Her sane mind quickly took control and she quit the act. She had lost the battle. This was the first time ever. Her ns seldom failed. She was not going to give up. She will be back.

 Chapter 19

    Under Noah¡¯s fiery looks, she found her way back to her seat. She picked up her bag and walked out of the house. She had just been humiliated. How could a sane man reject such a prettydy like her? It must be true that he was gay! She knew she only needed to fortify herself and get back with a new tactics.


    Jayden sat in his luxurious office tapping away on the keyboard of hisptop. He had just left a business meeting which didn¡¯t go well. His family business was wobbling and there was great need to ressurect the business and restore it to its past and lost glory. He had been careless with  the business affairs. He had thought his wealth was unlimited.


    ¡°Grrrrrhhhhh,¡± the phone in his breast pocket rang. He took it out of his pocket and frowned when he saw the caller. It was his father, Mr Gray.


    ¡°Good afternoon Dad,¡± he greeted.


    ¡°Afternoon,¡± came the reply.


    There was a brief pause before his father cleared his throat and said,


    ¡°Jayden, I hope you remember we have an arrangement for lunch this afternoon?¡±


    Damn! He had forgotten. The pressure from the unsessful business meeting had made him forget everything temporarily.


    ¡°Can you hear me?¡± his father asked when he got no response.


    ¡°Yes, I heard you. I wille right away,¡± he answered scratching his head in worry.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to bother. I am in front of thepany with the driver. Juste down and join us for lunch.¡±


    ¡°Us?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Your mother and I,¡± rified his father.


    ¡°Alright. I will be downstairs in a jiffy. Let me tidy my table. I have a little unfinished work. Give me about ten minutes. I will be there soon,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Mr Gray answered and ended the call. He took a deep breath and continued his typing. Few minutester, he saved his work and shut down theputer. He looked around to make sure he was not forgetting anything.


    His jacket. He always forgot it after a miserable day. He couldn¡¯t forget anything today as he was going to have lunch with his father. He took his jacket and hurried out.


    ¡°Good afternoon Dad and Mum,¡± he greeted his parents.


    ¡°Afternoon, how are you doing?¡± his mother asked nicely.


    ¡°I am fine mum. Dad, I wille in my own car.¡±


    ¡°Enter the car. We can go together,¡± his father countered.


    ¡°No dad. I prefer to drive myself to the restaurant. I can do that, dad,¡± he argued.


    ¡°Enter the car. We can go together,¡± his father repeated himself.


    Jayden shut his mouth immediately. He knew what woulde next if he had his father repeated himself a third time.


    Jayden was no longer in his father¡¯s good books. He had outrightly condemned him when he started living a promiscuous life. His mother loved and doted on her first son and heir to the family business. She saw no wrong in anything he did. She had him after so many years of hoping for a son. He came just in time to prevent the arrival of a mistress. Little wonder she doted on him.


    The drive to the restaurant was a silent one.


    ¡°Good afternoon sir and madam. Good afternoon Master,¡± the waiter greeted politely as soon as he saw the noble family enter the restaurant. He led them to the VIP section and they ced orders.


    Jayden felt suffocated throughout the meal. His father had his eyes fixated on him. He felt so ufortable but he could do nothing about it. He signalled to his mother who quickly noticed his difort and came to his rescue.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Honey, you don¡¯t have to stare at my son like that. Let him eat please,¡± she pleaded.


    ¡°Did something happen to his mouth? Did he say he can¡¯t  eat when he is being stared at? Is that how much of a man your son is?¡± her husband responded.


    ¡°Honey! Don¡¯t be harsh on this boy. You haven¡¯t told me the reason for your recent anger over everything my son does,¡± Molly Mason, Jayden¡¯s motherined.


    Mr. Gray dropped his cutlery and sipped his drink. He had finished eating. He ignored his wifepletely and faced Jayden squarely.


    ¡°When were you nning to tell me that you have sessfully sent mypany to ruins?¡±


    Jayden nearly choked on his food.


    ¡°Yes, see it. A simple question and you choke on your food. I raised you a responsible man and your mother raised you an irresponsible one,¡± Mr. Gray continued.


    ¡°Honey¡­¡± Molly tried to defend herself.


    ¡°Be quiet,¡± Mr. Gray chided her.


    ¡°Dad, it¡¯s just a little setbacks that business encounter over time. I will handle it, dad. Soon, everything will be sorted out,¡± Jayden exined.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± his father sneered and flung a document on the table.


    ¡°This, is thepany that is experiencing one of the usual setbacks. This is the empire I handed over to you. You spent fortunes chasing after women and everything on skirt. You spent less time in thepany and handled it as you like.¡±


    ¡°Honey, take it easy. People will soon stare. He has already said he will fix it,¡± Molly, his dotting mother defended.


    Jayden looked at the document on the table. It was hispany¡¯s statement of ount. Who could have ratted out on him? He had given strict instructions that the statement of ount must not be presented to anyone but him.


    ¡°I will find who ever it is and that person must be punished,¡± he swore within him.


    ¡°Dad¡­¡± he began but his father wasn¡¯t done yet.


    ¡°What should be done right now to salvage the situation of thatpany? I will not watch you take down thepany to the ground. I built it up and handed it over to you a thriving business enterprise. Now, there is nothing to show of it. What do you think should be done to solve the issue? You that caused the destruction,e up with a solution,¡± Mr. Gray said. Jayden felt instantly defeated. He knew there was no way out. He lowered his head and said,


    ¡°Dad, we could all think this over ande up with a solution.¡±


    ¡°Now listen to me. The only solution is to merge with Clinton group so that we can stand on our feet. We will join them and they lift us up so we can stand on our feet.  And we can¡¯t just wake up and do that. You will have to marry the eldest daughter of Mr. Clinton.¡±

 Chapter 20

    ¡°Dad?¡± Jayden called.


    ¡°Yes?¡± came the reply.


    ¡°Did you just say I will have to marry Mr. Clinton¡¯s eldest daughter?¡± Jayden asked. He wasn¡¯t sure if he had heard right.


    ¡°Yes. That was what I said. You will have to get married to her and that must be done soonest.¡±


    ¡°But father, are you suggesting an arranged marriage for me? A whole me? Common father. That can¡¯t happen,¡± Jayden quickly rebuffed the suggestion.


    Mr. Gray silently and slowly wiped his hands and mouth with the serviettes. Jayden waited patiently for his father to speak. When he finally did, he said something very simple.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say this for us to argue. Meet me at home this evening. We are done with lunch. Let¡¯s go.¡± With that, he stood up admist the shocked looks on the faces of his wife and son.


    ¡°Honey¡­¡± his mum tried to intervene but Mr. Gray by passed her and left the restaurant. He didn¡¯t even give her a chance to speak. She held her son¡¯s hand andforted him.


    Jayden sat in his office again that afternoon. He pondered over his father¡¯s words and shook his head.


    ¡°The irony of life. Four years ago, ady was pushed to me and I rejected her. Now, tables have turned. I am now forced to marry a girl I don¡¯t even know. What if she is not beautiful, shapey or isn¡¯t good in bed, which is the most important thing?¡± he asked himself. The thought of the bedroom performance of his wife to be aroused him. He picked his phone and made a call.


    ¡°Arrange a hot young girl for me right now. The same ce. Same hotel, same room. You know the kind of girls I like. Be fast about it,¡± he ordered and ced his head on the table.


    His phone rang five minutester.  He quickly picked it up.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Sir, she has been arranged. Just the way you want her,¡± the person who called reported. Jayden smiled and rubbed his crotch. He loved moments like this.


    It was alreadyte evening when Jayden woke up in the arms of his partner. She had been so sweet. He suddenly remembered he was to meet his father that evening. His father was a no nonsense man. He loved his kids but was quick to spank anyone who tried to go astray or contrary to his directives. Jayden had gotten a fair share of it when his father got wind of his promiscuous life.


    Just then, the pretty young girl opened her eyes and shed Jayden a seductive smile which made his manhood erect. He was tempted between taking another round and going to answer his father. The girl stretched her hands and touched his nipples. He felt his blood boil. He knew he couldn¡¯t do without another round. Her hands kept moving downwards and soon found their way between his legs. He responded to her touch and soon, they were moaning sweetly and softly.


    Seated on the luxurious sofa in the family sitting room, he wondered what his father had to say. He had been there for more than twenty minutes but his father had acted like he was air. There was bad blood and cold blood between father and son now. His father had never failed to express his grievances and disappointment over his kind of lifestyle. Jayden had only been fortunate that his father was out of the country when he was supposed to marry Emily. Till date, his father was not told the true story.


    After what seemed like eternity and when his father was done taking his time and practicing perfection on what he had to say, he cleared his throat and said,


    ¡°Jayden. I have spoken to Mr Clinton. You must prepare yourself and get ready. The wedding will be done in less than a month. We have to wait for his daughter to get settled. And as for you, you have to live a clean life. Understood?¡±


    Jayden just looked on and said nothing. Clean life indeed. The thought of his afternoon, evening experience made him excited. He really would need more of that. He focused once more on reality.


    ¡°Father, I can¡¯t marry someone I don¡¯t love. Can we find another way out? What if she is not up to my taste¡­¡± Jayden protested but his father cut him short.


    ¡°What taste? I am only saving your inheritance. On no ount should you go contrary to my decisions, else, you loose your inheritance,¡± his father threatened.


    ¡°Loose my inheritance? Who will you give it to? I am your only son, father.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too sure,¡± his father replied.


    Molly who heard thest part of the conversation quickly cut in,


    ¡°What did you just say? You have another son? Where? Who is the mistress? When honey? How¡­¡± she had so many questions to ask.


    ¡°You better focus on convincing your son to do what is right. I will not repeat myself. Do my bidding or watch your inheritance slip away. Lack ofpetition has made you crazy. Try me and see if you wouldn¡¯t beg on your knees,¡± Mr Gray finished and went back to smoking his pipe.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Father, I won¡¯t marry her and that¡¯s final. Neither will I loose my inheritance,¡± Jayden blurted out. A look from his father killed other words that could havee out of his mouth too. His father looked at the clock and said,


    ¡°It¡¯s my bed time. I am going to bed,¡± and left the room with an air of superiority.


    ¡°My dear son, you need to obey your father. Look at the brighter side. Okay, you need your inheritance and you need to stand in full glory. Do this for thepany. Do this for me. Do it for yourself,¡± his mother pleaded.


    ¡°But mum, does father have another son elsewhere? I can¡¯t even imagine a rival right now, appearing from no where,¡± Jayden stated his fears. He enjoyed supremacy and sovereignty in thepany. He didn¡¯t want to give that up for anything.


    ¡°How do we find that out? It¡¯s urgent. I will let no one take my inheritance.¡±


    ¡°That will not happen, my dear son. That¡¯s more reason you need to get married,¡± Molly advised and Jayden frowned. She patted him on the shoulder and said,


    ¡°Let¡¯s look her up. So that you will see who it is you are getting married to. Think of the wealth and fame thates with the marriage. Just get married. If you get back on your feet, you can divorce her if you don¡¯t like her. I am here to help you. Don¡¯t let your inheritance slip away, okay?¡±


    ¡°Alright, mother,¡± Jayden grudgingly agreed.


    Molly sent a servant to her study upstairs to fetch herptop. It was brought to her soon. They both looked up the Clinton Rollis family on the.


    ¡°There, that¡¯s his first daughter,¡± Molly said pointing at her on the screen.


    ¡°She?¡±

 Chapter 21

    ¡°Yes,¡± his mother affirmed.


    ¡°That bitch..¡± he cursed.


    ¡°Do you know her?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes. Some silly girl,¡± he responded.


    He remembered how he met her.


    10am Golden Walls Hotel


    A get together for some business elites was being held. Jayden was in attendance. He took in the hotel environment with his eyes and nced at the guests, his focus on the females. He noticed that most of them were already paired up with some guys. He noticed one girl who stood out among all the other girls and women present.


    She was dressed in a corporate office wear. She had bright eyes and she was very beautiful. He admired her and shed her one of his ¡°Mr cool¡± smiles but she ignored him. He was embarrassed but he didn¡¯t stop there. Towards the end of the get together, he took the elevator downstairs and they happened to be in the same elevator. He tried to start up a conversation but then she said rudely,


    ¡°Mr, hold your peace. I do not have time to converse with people like you. Be silent or you get out of the elevator.¡±


    Jayden had never been too shocked all his life. He was every woman¡¯s dream and many drooled at his sight. Even more were dying to have him speak to them. Yet, this woman in front of him just insulted him.


    ¡°Hey. Is that how you talk to people?¡± he returned trying to still be a gentle man. The girl, Tessy said no more. When the elevator got to the next floor, she stepped out. Jayden¡¯s heart was immediately filled with anger and hatred for her.


    On another asion, there was a cocktail party. He was about leaving when he bumped into someone and drink was mistakenly spilled on him.


    ¡°Are you crazy? Can¡¯t you see?¡± he yelled at the person without bothering to see the face of the offender.


    ¡°You again?¡± the offender asked without bothering to apologize. Jayden looked up to see who it was. His expensive suit had just been stained with wine and who ever it was dared not to say a word of apology.  It was Tessy again. Before he could say anything, she said,


    ¡°Know your ce.¡±


    She shoved him aside like he was a nonentity and walked off. He had wanted to go after her and teach her a lesson but his friend showed up and salvaged the situation.


    ¡°It¡¯s a party. You need to be a gentleman. She is ady. Everybody will think lowly of you if you make trouble with her. We can find better ways to deal with her,¡± his friend had advised. He had looked for her after that day but he never saw her. She travelled out of the country.


    ¡°That notwithstanding. You will have to marry her. You will get to love each other in the marriage,¡± his mother persuaded.


    ¡°No, mother,¡± he replied firmly.


    ¡°You silly boy. It¡¯s your inheritance we are talking about here. If anything happens, you will be the greatest looser. Think carefully and better act wisely,¡± Molly said in anger and left the sitting room leaving him all alone.


    Meanwhile, in her own house, Tessy was yet to be told about the marriage. During breakfast, her father broke the news to her.


    ¡°Tessy?¡± he called.


    ¡°Yes, father.¡±


    ¡°Well, you will be going shopping today with the driver. You will need to pick up some things for your wedding.¡±


    ¡°Wedding? What wedding father?¡± she asked in surprise.


    ¡°You are getting married to the son of Gray Mason,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Father? What is this all about? Mum? Did you hear him? Are you in support of this too?¡± she questioned her both parents.


    ¡°Tessy, you need to keep calm. You are getting married soon. Prepare yourself,¡± her mother answered.


    Her father pulled out a ck card from his wallet and handed it to her.


    ¡°This will take care of all your shopping expenses.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t marry him!¡± she shouted and stormed out of the dinning.


    When it dawned on her that her parents meant business, she started looking for dirt  on Jayden to avoid the marriage.


    Few dayster, Jayden surrendered grudgingly to marry Tessy. He went on a ride with his friend and his younger sister. They sat on the beach, enjoying the scenario and enjoying some snacks.  His friend, Robert excused himself and went off leaving only the both of them. She stretched her hands and gently touched him on his shoulder. He turned and looked at her.


    ¡°Pearl, stop,¡± he cautioned.


    Pearl had fallen deeply in love with Jayden but Jayden had never noticed her. He took her like his own sister. His friend had entrusted his sister to him during the past six months when she was doing her business training. She was actually very pretty but he didn¡¯t want to get involved with her. It would break her heart if he were notmitted to her and he knew he couldn¡¯t bemitted to anyone at the moment.


    Pearl nced it him with pain in her eyes. She wasn¡¯t happy that he always shunned her each time she made advances towards him.


    ¡°Jay, I have been around you for seven months now, don¡¯t you notice that I feel something strong for you? Or am I not good enough for you?¡± shemented and let her hands continue their trip on his body. He held her hands and said,


    ¡°Pearl, you need to stop this. I know you are pretty and all, but I can¡¯t. Okay, just stop all of this please,¡± he pleaded with her.


    ¡°And why? Why do I need to stop? I love you Jayden,¡± she repeated. Jayden wanted to say something but her brother returned that instant. Robert noticed the air around. He knew his sister was falling in love with Jayden. He didn¡¯t stop her. He believed she was an adult and has right to love anyone she wanted.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we have some wine?¡± he suggested.


    ¡°I will go get it,¡± Pearl volunteered and left.


    They settled down to their wine. After his third ss, Jayden started feeling dizzy.


    ¡°Let me take you home,¡± Robert offered searching his pocket for his keys. Just then, a call came into his phone.


    ¡°Hello! Alright¡­ I will be there right now,¡± he said and ended the call. He had just been called for an urgent matter at the office. He turned to his sister and handed Jayden¡¯s car keys to her saying,


    ¡°Take him home. My driver will being to pick me from here. I have an urgent matter at work.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Pearl took the keys from him and concealed a smile.

 Chapter 22

    Pearl watched her brother leave hurriedly. She helped Jayden up and took him to his car. As soon as they were inside the car, she nted a kiss on his lips. His subconscious mind rebuffed her. Even in his druken state, he wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with his friend¡¯s sister whom he took like a sister. Pearl frowned and kissed him again. She opened his shirt and touched his chest. She opened her dress, revealing her voluptuous breasts andy on top of him. She felt his crotch stand and she smiled satisfactorily. She guided his hands to her breasts and enjoyed the feel of his touch under her.


    A car honked nearby and she stood up quickly. A brilliant idea urred to her. She was going to send him to a hotel and have him to her satisfaction. She wanted to give him her innocence and virginity. She dressed up and shut the back door. She got into the driver seat and zoomed off. She was soon at a hotel.


    She went to the reception and checked him into a room with his ck card. Coincidentally, it was his usual and regr hotel. She didn¡¯t need much protocol and she was given the keys to his usual room.


    Shey on top of him as soon as his back touched the bed. His sexuality was bnced and he was under the influence of alcohol so, he responded to her touch and she moaned sweetly. Jayden was already an expert in the act. He touched her just the way she wanted and she moaned with careless abandon. She cared about nothing else. She wasn¡¯t bothered about the oue or repercussions of her action. What he would do if he found out didn¡¯t bother her. She had made sure to drug his wine. She had him all to herself now and he was all that mattered in her world now.


    He entered her slowly and she moaned in pain and pleasure. Just as they climaxed and reached orgasm, the door was pushed open from outside.


    The very furious and angry face of Tessy came in sight.


    Few minutes ago, her informant had informed her of Jayden¡¯s arrival with a woman. She had been bent on getting dirt on him and luck shone on her that afternoon. She hurried to the hotel to catch him red handed. She wanted something to show her father to make sure that the wedding is called off.


    ¡°Jayden! You disgusting idiot!¡± she yelled and stormed towards them on the bed. But s! he didn¡¯t hear her. The sex had been so intense that he fell asleep immediately. She turned to Pearl in her fury to vent her anger on her.


    ¡°What are you doing with him, you useless thing?¡±


    Pearl ignored her and nted a kiss on Jayden¡¯s lips. Tessy squeezed her face in disgust.


    ¡°Have you got no decency?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You should have respect for privacy. Why will you barge in here and start shouting? Have you lost your mind?¡± Pearl asked as she pulled the sheets over her body to cover herself more properly.


    Tessy was stunned.


    Does she know who she¡¯s talking to?


    ¡°Hey! Is it me you open your mouth and talk to like that?¡± she asked fuming. Pearl didn¡¯t respond to her. She just nestled closer to Jayden and let him breathe on her face. Tessy took out her phone to take a picture. She needed to show something to her father!This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Pearl was someone who seldom cared about anyone¡¯s social status. She always felt she owned no one more respect than was due. One¡¯s social or financial status didn¡¯t concern her. She had always gotten in and out of trouble for this act but she didn¡¯t care.


    When she saw Tessy take out her phone, she screamed,


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t try that. Put down the phone.¡±


    Tessy pretended not to hear her. She put on her clothes hurriedly and rushed to Tessy. She snatched the phone from her before she could take a picture. Tessy raised her hands to p her but pearl had already calcted her move. Pearl had wanted to p her first instead but a sixth sense warned her to steer clear from trouble with the upper ss. She put the phone back in Tessy¡¯s hands and pushed her out of the room. She banged the door shut on her face. Tessy was mad. She wanted to bang on the door but she remembered she was in a high ss hotel and will be thrown out at the slightest offence and she was an offender by barging into Pearl and Jayden¡¯s privacy. She was only able to havee inside and thus far with her family and societal influence.


    When everywhere was calm once again and Pearl felt she had enjoyed Jayden to her fill, she took him home.


    Jayden woke upter on feeling tired. He didn¡¯t remember anything that had happened earlier that day or in the hotel room. He assumed Robert had driven him home.


    ¡°Dad! He is not a good guy. I caught him today in bed with another woman,¡± Tessy yelled as soon as she entered her father¡¯s study. Her father stopped what he was doing when he heard her angry and loud outburst.


    ¡°Has my beautiful daughter turned detective? You caught him in bed?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes dad. I can¡¯t marry such scum bag!¡± she yelled further. Her father smiled. She instantly felt she had won the battle. What she did not know was that her parents had long been eyeing Jace group and when Mr. Gray came up with the marriage proposal, it was like a dreame true. They only needed to y their cards well and thepany, Jace group will be theirs for life.


    ¡°My dear daughter, ying detective will not salvage the situation. He is yet to get married to you and all that will end once he marries you. Go and prepare for your wedding,¡± he said. Tessy¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in shock.

 Chapter 23

    The wedding preparation was in progress. Jayden and Tessy were at war with each other. A silent and cold war but their parents had made a decree and decision which must be followed and obeyed. Both families had different intentions.  Mr. Gray had the intentions of raising hispany and making it stand on its feet whereas Mr. Clinton was scheming to take over thepany. The wedding was to take ce in three weeks. Dignitaries were to be invited and they needed ample time to prepare.


    Pearl woke up one morning feeling weak and nauseous. Her mind shed back to the events of the past two weeks. Could she be pregnant? She hoped she wasn¡¯t pregnant. On the other hand, she secretly wished she was. She wanted Jayden all to herself.


    At the close of work the following day, she went to the hospital to run some tests.  The test was conducted and she waited patiently for the results. When it was her turn to take her results, she went to the doctor¡¯s office. He handed her the results and she took it with trembling hands. She wasn¡¯t ready for any pregnancy but she wanted Jayden at the same time. She didn¡¯t know how to exin what happened that afternoon. He would be very angry with her and she didn¡¯t want that. She had only wanted to have sex with him and nomitment. He would never agree to that kind of rtionship. She opened the results and read it slowly.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    She wasn¡¯t pregnant. She was happy and at the same time, disappointed.


    Noah was seated in his office dishing out orders to his secretary and the manager of the personnel department. He was extremely nice that day to their greatest glee. He calmly pointed out their mistakes. He didn¡¯t stop there! He even went ahead to proffer solutions. He had even offered them a seat to which they declined politely and immediately too, saying,


    ¡°No, thank you sir,¡± at the same time. Such a kind gesture was rare in Noah¡¯s office. They had better decline it. .


    ¡°Emmn, Mr. Yates, bring my schedule today. I need you to make some changes. I want to be free for a greater part of today. Bring all the unsigned and pending proposals. I will deal with them today.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Mr. Yates replied.


    Noah then turned to the manager and said,


    ¡°And you, are you not aware that such files should be in the personnel department not sales or any other department at all? Huh?¡±


    ¡°I am sorry sir,¡± the manager bowed low and pleaded. On a normal day, this offence could have earned him a cut from his sry bonus.


    ¡°Such an act must not be repeated, do you understand?¡± Noah warned sternly.


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± the manager replied quietly.


    ¡°You can leave. Go and correct that error,¡± Noah ordered.


    ¡°Huh!¡± the manager blurted out in surprise. He couldn¡¯t believe his ears. Did his boss just dismiss him like that? With no punishment or sry and bonus reduction? He raised his head to meet Noah looking at him with a wry smile on his face.


    ¡°What¡¯s huh? Do you want to get any punishment?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ no.. Sir. I will leave now as you have ordered, sir.¡±


    He left quickly and almost collided with the secretary who wasing in with the requested files. The manager hurried out before Noah would change his mind.


    ¡°Sir, the schedule and the files are here,¡± the secretary told him humbly.


    ¡°ce them there,¡± Noah ordered and pointed to an empty space on his office table.


    ¡°Seperate them ordingly.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± the secretary replied and did as he was instructed. He left the office once he was done.


    For the next thirty or forty minutes, all that was heard in the office was Noah¡¯s silent, gentle and steady breathing and the scribbling of pen on paper. He was reading and signing files. His phone rang, disrupting the peace and quiet of the office.


    ¡°Hello!¡±


    ¡°Good afternoon, sir,¡± the caller greeted.


    ¡°Afternoon.¡±


    ¡°We have seen thedy, sir. The woman with the ring,¡± he eximed excitedly.


    Noah stood up at that moment.


    ¡°I hope this is no joke. Are you about to say she has disappeared?¡±


    ¡°No, sir. She is with us right now as we speak,¡± the man responded.


    ¡°Send her over immediately. Don¡¯t waste time.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it is my ring? Be certain, as I will not tolerate any mistakes,¡± Noah warned.


    ¡°We are very certain, sir. That ring is the only one in this world. It was customised for just you. It¡¯s your ring sir,¡± he parroted, assuring Noah.


    ¡°Send her over ande as well for your reward.¡±


    ¡°Alright sir. Thank you sir.¡±


    Noah was beaming with smiles.


    ¡°No wonder I have been so happy today. Wow. Luck and fate has shone on me today. Finally, after four years, I have found my better half,¡± He said to himself happily. He couldn¡¯t sit still. He couldn¡¯t wait for her to be brought to him. He needed her once more. He had missed her. He hadn¡¯t had any other woman since that time. He had been patiently waiting for her.


    Somewhere in the country of China, the Muxin family to which Emily and Liam belonged were in a celebration mood. It was Liam¡¯s birthday. He is four years old now. Emily, who now livesfortably, promised to make it a grand asion. She baked two beautiful cakes for her son. Her only son and her pride. Liam had been the best thing that happened to her in the past four years. It was when she got pregnant for him that she thought of leaving her miserable and lonely marriage. Having him growing in her and her wish to give him a good life which she did not have fueled her zeal and determination to pull through and survive.  She was now a wealthy woman and a famous designer.


    ¡°Mummy!¡± Liam called, distracting her from her thoughts.


    ¡°My baby,¡± she answered and hugged him so tight that he had to call her attention.


    ¡°Mummy!!!¡±


    She quickly released him from her embrace and tried to hide her tears. Tears of joy and pain. Mixed emotions.


    ¡°Happy birthday, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, mummy.¡±


    ¡°You are set, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, mummy.¡±


    They were going out to have fun and celebrate his birthday.


    ¡°Is Aunty Yanxi ready too?¡±


    ¡°Yes mummy.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to get for you before we leave? And what do you want for a present?¡± Emily asked sweetly.


    ¡°Mummy,¡± Liam called quietly and looked up at his mummy.


    ¡°Yes, baby,¡± Emily replied in concern and care.


    With teary eyes, Liam said,


    ¡°I want my daddy.¡±

 Chapter 24

    Emily was dismayed. She had always known that the question would one daye up but she hadn¡¯t expected it to be too soon. She had always dreaded the question, but now, it was right before her. She could only think of one thing. Avoid the question! She was going to give him an answer without hitting the nail on the head. If only the boy knew that she didn¡¯t know his father as well.


    ¡°Liam, your dad isn¡¯t here now. When you get older, I will tell you about him, okay?¡±


    ¡°Mum¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, my baby. It¡¯s your birthday. We have to be happy.¡±


    ¡°Clean your tears, son,¡± Emily said, offering him a handkerchief.


    ¡°Go and fetch Aunty Yanxi so that we will leave. We don¡¯t have any more time left.¡±


    Benny Jones was ushered into Noah¡¯s exquisite office.


    ¡°Good afternoon, President Harper,¡± she greeted bowing low.


    Noah looked at her and studied her carefully. She was indeed a very pretty girl.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Benny Jones, President Harper.¡±


    ¡°And how did you get that ring on your finger?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I ¡­ I woke up one morning in bed with a man and noticed he had slid a ring on my finger.¡±


    ¡°When was that?¡±


    ¡°About four years ago, President.¡±


    ¡°Benny. That¡¯s the name, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Where have you been all these years? You have no idea of how long I searched for you but you seemed to have disappeared into thin air. Now, tell me. Where have you been?¡±


    ¡°I had to put away the ring and go into hiding. When I realized it was customized and it belonged to someone from the upper ss, I knew I was doomed. I had to run away to avoid being caught and punished because I didn¡¯t steal it. Believe me, President Harper. I didn¡¯t steal the ring. If I knew it was yours, I could havee begging on my knees and I could have returned it long ago. President Harper, please, forgive me for anything. But I didn¡¯t steal the ring, I swear it. I didn¡¯t. I am not a thief. Believe me,¡± Benny pleaded as tears ran down her face.


    Noah thought she looked prettier when she cried.


    ¡°No, no, my dear.  You do not have to cry. I have been searching for you all these years. Not because I want to punish you, but because I want to make it up to you. I had taken advantage of you that night. I am sorry. I want to marry you.¡±


    Benny¡¯s jaw dropped open. She couldn¡¯t believe her ears. Marry her?


    ¡°Yes,¡± Noah said in answer to her unasked question. He already guessed correctly what question she had in mind.


    ¡°You pleased me that night. I searched for you those four years because I wanted you again. I also wanted to make it up to you for that night. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    That night  four years ago, Noah, who was tipsy had entered one of the hotel rooms thinking it was his. A young and beautiful woman was lying on the bed. Her gown was provocative and showed clearly most of her feminine curves and body parts. Contrary to his expectations, he was aroused by what he saw. He went closer and touched the delicate face and moved his hands down to her breast. The woman groaned in displeasure and tried to shake him off but he persisted. He noticed she was drunk and wasn¡¯t going to resist his advances for too long if she were straight. It had been years since hest felt aroused around a woman and he didn¡¯t want to let this one slip. He touched her again and she resisted weakly. He bent down and kissed her breasts. Then, her lips. That did the magic and put her in the mood. The rest was history.  During the intense moment, he slid his ring on her finger. He didn¡¯t want to mistake her for anyer in the day. He couldn¡¯t see her face clearly in the dark night. He believed his ring would help him know it was her by morning.


    But it wasn¡¯t as he thought for she was no where to be found by morning.


    When he woke up that morning, he found out that he had slept in a strange room. He also felt bad for having taken advantage of thedy from the previous night. But she had given him a feeling he hadn¡¯t felt in many years. He set out to find her and never saw her till that day.


    Now that he had seen her, he wasn¡¯t going to let go. He was going to seal everything, make it legal and marry her soon.


    Naoh called for his secretary and asked him to usher the men who had brought Benny Jones in, to his office.


    ¡°Send her to Forte Vi,¡± he instructed as soon as they came in.


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Benny?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Make yourselffortable, okay? Feel free to ask for anything and it  will be done instantly for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, President Harper,¡± Benny thanked bowing low. She smiled to herself. How lucky she was.


    Noah settled down to work all smiles. He was so happy to have finally found the mysterious woman after four long years.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°It¡¯s just Emily left. Just you wait! Silly thing. I willy my hands on you and I will make you pay dearly for what you have done.¡±


    He nced around and his eyes fell on the portrait on the wall. It was his picture with Liam. He smiled broadly. He secretely wished to see that boy again. A notification popped up on his phone, attracting his attention. He checked the time and signed in exasperation. He was going to see his father in three hours time. That was one thing he always dreaded. Their meetings seldom ended or turned out well.


    Benny scrutinized the exterior and interior of the vi and a wide smile appeared on her pretty face. She felt so happy and satisfied. The house was big and top notch. She had servants at her beck and call. Naoh had already made arrangements for all assorted food and drinks to be made avable in the house. That was a clear contrast to the life she had known in the past. Shey on thefortable bed with an inscrutable expression on her face.

 Chapter 25

    Growing up, she had always wished to be in the higher ss. Her family wasfortable and wealthy but she wanted more than that. She had always wanted to be part of the most famous families in the country. She had finally achieved it and had stepped into luxury and fame. All thanks to that one night. She was just going to wait for him to propose, then she will broadcast the news to all her friends and enemies too. She couldn¡¯t wait to inform them that she was now way above them in  social status.  She took a tour around the house and kept smiling to herself. She had been so smart. She spent a greater part of the afternoon testing and checking out the clothes on the wardrobe. They were thetest brand from the best fashion designingpany. Just the way she had always wanted it. Now that she had Noah by her side, she was going to hold him and guard him jealously. She knew she was in an enviable position where any woman would give up anything to be.


    Noah opened his drawers and pulled out the divorce papers Emily had sent to him via mail. She had sent via mail and E-mail. She had probably wanted the divorce so desperately. He studied the divorce papers closely for the umpteenth time. He hadn¡¯t signed it even after two years. He still found it difficult to believe and ept the reality that a mere woman, whom he married and proposed a two year contract had the guts to terminate the marriage and the contract before the two years psed. He sighed and put it back inside the drawer. He was going to sign it very soon. He remembered how he met Emily and his hatred for her increased. She had almost ruined his reputation and it cost him his bachelor hood to salvage it. Then she divorced him. He had also left USA to avoid any form of contact with her.


    ¡°And she sent me divorce papers and vanished. Emily, pray I don¡¯t get you.¡±


    He always remembered the incident with a new level of anger. He sighed again and shut the drawer.


    They were both seated and ignoring each other.  It had been thirty minutes since he arrived home. After sometime, his father said to him,


    ¡°Noah, what about your marriage? It¡¯s been four years. When do you hope to produce an heir?¡±


    ¡°I am divorced, Father.¡±


    His mind went back to the unsigned papers in his drawers. Although they were not signed, he was divorced.


    ¡°Divorced? When?¡±


    ¡°I did so at my own time. I got divorced a few years ago.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty good. Now, you are free from that gold digging pleb. You should always distinguish yourself from the lower ss, you are a royalty! You should have told me earlier so that I can get you a lovely girl for a wife.¡±


    ¡°Father¡­¡± Noah interrupted.


    ¡°Yes, you need a wife from the higher ss.¡±


    ¡°Father, I don¡¯t need your help to get a wife,¡± he stated matter of factly.


    ¡°You need a wife and an heir, Noah.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. I will figure it out and decide when I need them at my own convenience.¡±


    ¡°You need an heir to leave your legacy, son.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ¡®son¡¯ me,¡± Noah stated coldly.


    His father ignored his rudement.


    ¡°Noah, you need a son to carry your name. Why can¡¯t you get a wife and bear a son?¡±


    ¡°If you are so much interested in having an heir, why did you put an end to mum and her unborn baby?¡± Naoh retorted.


    ¡°Must you always be silly? You idiot! I am doing this for you and you keep talking nonsense,¡± his father thundered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do anything for me. Let me be. I don¡¯t know what you want from me as a son. Listen father, it seems you want me to say it in in words. You lost me and the bond we had the moment mother breathed herst.¡±


    ¡°Can you not talk about your mum with the slightest opportunity?¡±


    ¡°If you ever want things to turn out well between us, tell me what you to did mum¡¯s baby.¡±


    ¡°Are you crazy?¡± his father yelled.


    ¡°Your mother lost her baby.¡±


    ¡°No, she didn¡¯t. You know something, father. You do¡­,¡± Noah was saying when his father gave him a deafening p that made him see stars. Noah opened his mouth and stared at his father in shock. He hadn¡¯t expected the p. He only gave his father a cursory nce and leaned back on his chair. He didn¡¯t want to challenge his father this time or the house might be in mes. The p was loud enough for the household servants to hear and gossip. He didn¡¯t want to further impress them and increase their topic of discussion.


    ¡°Now, you listen to me, you silly son of mine. I have been ignoring you all these years, not because I don¡¯t know what to do with you, but because I have been giving you time to amend your ways. I will only give you the grace of three months to get a suitable wife, after which, I will get you one if you fail to do so. Is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Mmm.¡±


    ¡°I said, is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Father.¡±


    Noah was finally convinced that his father was not telling him something about his mother. His father always said the same thing like a rehearsed line each time he asked that question. It was always,


    ¡°Your mother lost her baby.¡±


    He had always had his doubts but he had no proof. He was going to revisit that issue.


    They had dinner in silence and Noah was good to go.


    ¡°Spend the night, Noah,¡± his father pleaded as he stood up go.


    Mr. Joshua loved his son dearly and it ailed his heart to see him drift off farther and farther. He didn¡¯t want to loose his only child to acrimony.


    Noah hadn¡¯t spent a night in that house since his mother died. He had been too angry with his father to do that. He didn¡¯t do so all those years, so, he was definitely not going to start it now.


    ¡°Noah?¡±


    ¡°No. I am leaving.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been years since youst spent the night here.¡± Mr. Joshua observed correctly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to. Good night, father,¡± he answered and walked towards the door.


    ¡°Just tonight, Noah,¡± his father pleaded further and Noah got instantly irritated.


    ¡°I have said no! There isn¡¯t anything you¡­.¡± he trailed off. He opened the door and disappeared into the dark night.


    Mr. Joshua had always tried his best to bring his son back to his side all these years but it seemed he had lost Noah. He lost him after his mother died.


    Mr. Joshua was woken up in the morning by the ringing of his phone.


    ¡°Good morning sir. Sir, did you order a re-investigation and re opening of yourte wife¡¯s case?¡±


    ¡°What? Not at all. What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°I was just notified by the hospital management. There is a discreet investigation going on.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

 Chapter 26

    Noah had gone to the hospital first thing the following morning to request for his mother¡¯s records. Some where released to him as a result of his influence while he was asked to hold on for some. Those ones needed the approval of the higher ups in the hospital to be released. This hospital also belonged to the Harper family and was the biggest and most famous hospital in the country.


    It was the chief physician who called Mr. Joshua and gave him thetest update. Mr. Joshua gave orders that no file should be given to Naoh any more. Noah had already left at that time, with the view to return at noon when the chiefs would be avable to give him the files he had requested.


    Seated in his office, Noah went through the papers carefully. To his greatest dismay, he found nothing of interest in them. They only stated that his mum hadplications which led to her death and the death of her baby.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°But why is theplication not mentioned?¡± he wondered.


    He opened the file and began to study them again. He didn¡¯t want to miss even the least details.


    His phone rang and he slid his fingers across the screen and picked the call.


    ¡°Good morning sir. Sir, madam said she needs more groceries in the kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Do that for her.¡±


    ¡°She also said she needed more jewellery.¡±


    ¡°Notify the designers. Tell them to get the type she wants.¡±


    ¡°She also said she needed more hands at home. She said she needs two more household servants, sir.¡±


    ¡°Take care of that.¡±


    ¡°Sir, she also¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey! Are you crazy? Just do what ever she wants. You don¡¯t need to tell me about it. You know what is right and what should be done. Is that understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. But sir¡­ there is one more thing.¡±


    ¡°And what is the one thing?¡±


    ¡°Madam also wants to know if you cane over for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I will.¡±


    Noah had a busy schedule that day, coupled with his investigation at the hospital. But he was definitely going to make out time for hisdy.


    The man who had conveyed the message now ryed the answer to his madam, Benny Jones.


    ¡°Madam, he said we should do all that you asked, ma.¡±


    Benny smiled in satisfaction.


    ¡°How about dinner?¡±


    ¡°He said he will be here, madam.¡±


    ¡°Alright. You may leave.¡±


    Benny set to find suitable and sexy dresses from her wardrobe while humming her favorite tune. She was going to make dinner herself, for her and her husband. And she will make sure to take him to bed that night, he would be sleeping over.


    Noah tidied his desk in a hurry. He was going to the hospital and to Benny Jones that evening.


    ¡°Good day President Harper,¡± rent the air as Noah stepped into the hospital building with an air of nobility around him. He went straight to the office of the chief physician. He needed no formalities to get there. He tapped softly on the door and went it. Without bothering to exchange pleasantries, he went straight to the point, taking the physician off guard in the process.


    ¡°I was here earlier. I am sure you must have been told. Can I have my mother¡¯s records now?¡±


    ¡°Emmn¡­ P¡­. pre¡­. President Harper¡­¡± the physician stammered.


    He couldn¡¯t even look Noah straight in the face. He had heard a lot about Noah but had never seen him in person. His domineering aura and terrifying presence caught him unawares and he was stuttering.


    Noah glued his eyes on him, frightening him all the more. Noah knew the effect of his presence on people but that never bothered him. He actually enjoyed the intimidation his presence came with but not on a day like that. He just wanted the records and nothing more.


    The physician on the other hand was too terrified to tell him that his father had instructed that it should not be released to him. If only he knew that Noah had this aura, he couldn¡¯t have epted to be the one to ry the message.


    ¡°What is the matter? Can I have the records?¡±


    ¡°Emm. Yo¡­ your father, sir¡­ he¡­ he¡­¡±


    ¡°He what?¡± Noah cut in impatiently.


    ¡°He ordered that it should not be given to anyone, sir.¡±


    ¡°What? Including me?¡±


    ¡°Y¡­ y.. yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. Nice. Listen Mr. I want that file. And I am not leaving here without it.¡±


    ¡°Please, President Harper, Mr. Joshua had ordered that I should not give it to you.¡±


    ¡°Mr Joshua had ordered. Now, it¡¯s Noah who is ordering. Give it to me or be prepared to loose your job and step out of the way for someone who would do so willingly,¡± Noah threatened.


    The physician was speechless. He was between the devil and the red sea. He didn¡¯t want to be the middleman in the father and son quarrrel and tossel for power. Left to him alone, he could have obeyed Naoh instantly but he knew Mr. Joshua Harper to be ruthless. He hadn¡¯t had a share of Noah¡¯s wrath. But as the say goes, the devil you know is better than the angel you don¡¯t know.


    Even though, his mind kept telling him that he would pay dearly for defying Noah¡¯s orders. Only his presence alone had frightened him, what more his punishment. He perched ufortably on his seat and prayed for a Messiah or for the ground to open and swallow him up.


    ¡°You are dying me. Give it to me this instant,¡± Noah said with thest bit of his patience.


    ¡°President Harper, please¡­¡±


    A discreet nce at the clock made Noah realize that he had been there for twenty minutes. Too long. He suddenly got angry and his eyes turned red. He was someone who had always hated dy. And he wanted no dy at this time when he wanted to know everything about his mother and also to find out about his sister.


    ¡°Bang!!!¡±


    Noah fists came crashing on the table. He stood up and held the physician by the cor.


    ¡°Will you give it to me right now or you want me to strangle you? Huh?¡±


    The physician who was almost out of breath with shock and fear stammered,


    ¡°I¡­ I will.. give it to you r¡­ right now¡­ sir.¡±


    Noah released him roughly and he fell like a pack of cards.


    A death re from Noah made him rise immediately and he was soon rummaging the shelves for the required documents. It took a while to find it because the files were seperated from every other file on the shelves. He found it and he went towards Noah with it.


    Just as the tip of the file touched Noah¡¯s hands and he was about taking it, the door burst open and Mr. Joshua Harper stormed inside.

 Chapter 27

    The chief physician concealed a smile and heaved a sigh of relief inwardly. He praised fate and nature who had sent Mr. Joshua at that time. Mr. Joshua narrowed his eyes and saw the file in Noah and the physician¡¯s hands. He hade just in time. He strode towards them and held the file too. He nced at the physician who looked like blood was drained from his body.


    ¡°Sir¡­¡± he stammered and let go of the file.


    Noah acted like he was oblivious of his father¡¯s presence. He held unto the file and didn¡¯t even spare his father a nce.


    ¡°Leave it, Noah.¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t buldge.


    ¡°Why are you still holding this file?¡±


    Noah gave the physician a nce and he bowed and left the office instantly. It was when the physician left that Noah found his tongue. He had a reticent nature and didn¡¯t want anyone to know the kind of rtionship he had with his father.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I have this file, father?¡±


    ¡°Noah, leave this. Don¡¯t you dare challenge me.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Noah held the file strongly and his father pulled at it. Noah guessed his n. He wanted to shred it. Noah left the file for his father and walked out of the office. He was going to try out another approach.


    Seated in his car, he took a deep breath and gulped down the bottle of water he kept in his car.


    ¡°Mum, I will surely find out what happened. I promise,¡± he said and turned on his car ignition.


    He drove to the vi where Benny Jones stayed. He opened the door and he was greeted with a kiss. He frowned his face. He wasn¡¯t used to feminine touch and rebuffed it immediately.


    ¡°Benny?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Naoh walked passed her and went into the house. Benny served dinner herself and they ate. While at dinner, Benny tried all she could to get Noah to talk to her but he wasn¡¯t interested in talking to her.


    ¡°Did something happen at work?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Noah answered and said no more.


    She tried getting him to talk all to no avail. His failure that day really provoked him.


    ¡°President Noah,¡± she called trying to act coquettish. She rubbed her head on his chest like a kitten and smiled coyly at him.


    ¡°Common Benny, I will get married to you soon, and we will have all the time to ourselves,¡± Noah answered guessing her intentions correctly.


    ¡°But, we have done this before.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know. I promise, I will hasten up with the marriage and you will have me all to yourself.¡±


    She still kept her hands on Noah. He let her lean on him until she was satisfied. Her clothes were sexy and attractive. Her cleavage was clearly visible, enticing and inviting but surprisingly, he wasn¡¯t moved. Probably because he was worried and angry.


    When she had leaned on him to her fill, he kissed her forehead and bade her goodbye.


    Benny was smiling as she sorted through varieties of clothes. They were all thetest designs and were very costly. She was so happy to be shopping in the best boutique.


    She heard a familiar voice say,


    ¡°Look around properly. Colour ck is preferable. It will be there. It¡¯s thetest designs.¡±


    She turned and spotted Tessy Clinton.


    They had always been rivals right from time. Tessy was from a higher ss than hers and Tessy, who was very proud treated every one as trivial. She had no regard for anyone who wasn¡¯t in her social status. Back then in high school, a lot of girls had wanted to hang out with her and be in her clique but she snubbed them all. Benny was also among them. She had even told Benny at some point that she wasn¡¯t in the same ss with her and they couldn¡¯tpare orpete financially. Benny had been so hurt then. The clothes and shoes Benny wore were nothingpared to Tessy¡¯s. That made Tessy despise her further and she in turn felt more inferior.


    Now, she was in the same boutique with her. She was finally in the most famous store. She walked towards her and pretended to be looking for bags.


    ¡°Hi, Tessy!¡±


    Tessy turned to see who it was. She had expected it to be one of her friends from her clique. She was bbergasted to see Benny.


    ¡°Benny? What could she be doing in this store? Did she escort someone?¡± she wondered.


    ¡°Hi! Tessy, are you here to shop? We could make choices together,¡± Benny parroted trying to emphasize the fact that she hade to shop too.


    Tessy couldn¡¯t hide her surprise.


    ¡°You, shop? Or did you escort someone? Or are you a maid somewhere?¡±


    ¡°Madam, the ck one is here. Do I pick it for you?¡± Tessy¡¯s servant called out to her interrupting her taunts.


    ¡°Yes, do so quickly.¡±


    ¡°Well, just watch me pick the things I want. I shop here right now,¡± Benny returned and turned around to continue her shopping.


    They both stumbled on each other again at the area for wedding dresses.


    ¡°Is Benny getting married to some rich guy?¡± Tessy couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    She couldn¡¯t imagine herself buying a wedding dress from the same store with someone who didn¡¯t match up to her. She turned to her servant and said,


    ¡°Never mind. I will wear a customised dress. These ones here are not up to my taste. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Customized wedding dresses?


    That was a brilliant idea. If Tessy could get one, she too could. She never wanted to feel inferior any more. She was going to hurry and tell Noah that she wanted a customised wedding dress. And she will definitely make sure to choose something that has not been seen anywhere. She must outshine Tessy.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I will do that for you. I will contact the designers,¡± was Noah¡¯s answer when she told him she wanted a customised wedding dress.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t nice. I want something better.¡±


    ¡°Not this. It¡¯s too simple.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t fabulous. It needs more touch up.¡±


    Benny had a negativement for every proposed design of the wedding dress Donmack designers came up with. She felt Tessy, herpetitor would wear something better.


    After series of trials and rejected works, Donmack designers, the most famous designers in the country decided to implore the aid of a famous designer. It couldn¡¯t be in record that they failed to satisfy a customer, talk more of the fianc¨¦e of the CEO of ckwood Towers.


    The question tabled before them was this:


    ¡°Which famous designer should they call to? Who was going to do this job as desired by the insatiable bride to be?

 Chapter 28

    ¡°Yanxi! Yanxi! Yanxi!!!¡± Emily screamed as she ran into the house. There was a broad smile on her tired face. A smile that seemed to invigorate her.


    ¡°Where is she now that I need her? Gu Yanxi! Gu Yanxi!! Where are you?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Gu Yanxi answered from the background.


    Emily turned around.


    ¡°Where are you?¡±


    Gu Yanxi emerged from the room soon after. She was running and her hands were wet. She was a bit frightened. She was very surprised to hear Emily scream her name in that manner. Emily usually returned from work quietly and told her what ever gist or newster and not by screaming.


    ¡°Had something bad happened to her?¡±


    Gu Yanxi was even more bbergasted when she saw a broad smile on Emily¡¯s face.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°And where have you been? Where were you, Yanxi?¡± Emily asked pulling her into her embrace.


    ¡°I was in the restroom. So now, can you please spill? What¡¯s go on? What happened? Start talking. You nearly scared me. In fact, you did. When I heard you scream, I thought something bad had happened. I was so relieved to see you smiling when I got here. So, what is with the smile?¡±


    ¡°Yanxi¡­. I¡­ I¡­¡±


    ¡°You what? Calm down and speak.¡±


    ¡°I was awarded the jewellery designing contract.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I am confused. Which jewellery contract exactly?¡±


    ¡°Ye Sheting Night¡¯spany.¡±


    ¡°Ahhhhhhhhh! I am so happy for you! Come here. Give me a hug.¡±


    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe I made it. The most famouspany in China has offered me a contract. Wow. Now, I will put in all my best. I will make sure they win thatpetition. Ten million Yuan! That¡¯s the deposit. And another five million Yuan if the work ispleted. You won¡¯t even believe it Yanxi. I will also be offered twenty million Yuan once they win the contract! You need to read these terms yourself. Here,¡± she sang on and handed the papers to Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°You need to see for yourself. It¡¯s so amazing.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Let me see for myself. The benefits are too amazing that I can¡¯t even believe it too. I am proud of you, Emily.¡±


    ¡°Yanxi, I hope I am not dreaming? This is too good to be true!¡±


    ¡°No, you are not dreaming, dear. We need to celebrate this. We really need to.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Sure. But,ter please. What¡¯s for lunch, I am literally starving.¡±


    ¡°I know you will be very hungry. I made meatballs and soup including General Tso Chicken. It¡¯s very delicious.¡±


    ¡°I trust your culinary skills, Yanxi. Let¡¯s hurry please. I am famished.¡±


    The day dawned brightly. Emily jerked awake at the first ring of her rm. Today was going to be her first day at work. She was expected to show up early. She inspected the cloth she had selected the previous night and it didn¡¯t seem suitable anymore.


    ¡°Emily, do you want to change your mind again? We spent hours trying to choose a perfect outfit,¡± Gu Yanxiined.


    ¡°Yes, I know. But, I feel I need something more sophisticated. First impressions matter my dear. I want to put on something simple, yet nice and cooperate. I want¡­¡± Emily parroted. Gu Yanxi quickly cut in without letting her finish.


    ¡°I know what you want. Emily, that cloth you are holding, speaks so much for you. It screams determined, talented and hardworking. It¡¯s in fact, everything you ever want your clothing to say about you. It¡¯s okay and good. Wear it or you will have to spend another hour selecting clothes. You can¡¯t bete today. It¡¯s your first time.¡±


    That morning, Emily stood in front of the imposing facade of Ye Night¡¯spany, her heart racing with a mix of nervous anticipation and excitement. Her determination and hardwork had earned her a reputation as a famous designer, catching the attention of many. She didn¡¯t expect to attract the attention of Ye Night¡¯spany as well. She had always rated it as something way out of her league. She was indeed a famous and a talented designer but she wasn¡¯t yet popr enough to be noticed by toppanies.


    The towering skyscraper seemed to reach for the heavens, casting a long shadow over her petite figure. As she took a deep breath and pushed open the grand revolving doors, her journey to achieving greatness was about to begin. Her progress here would determine where she was going to be in a few years. The allure of working for apany so influential, further fueled her determination. There and then, she pledged to do her best. She was going to make sure thepany wins thepetition for which they employed her. Then, she would be a world renowned designer.


    She walked into thevish lobby of thepany, her gaze immediately drawn to the grandeur of the ce. The marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of crystal light chandeliers and the walls were adorned with intricate artwork. The interior was better than the exterior and it was more beautiful than she had imagined.


    She had only seen such a well designed and furnished office at Noah Harper¡¯s. She remembered the first andst time she had gone to his office, the day their affair went viral on the news. She sighed at the thought.


    The receptionist at the desk nced at her and asked politely and in a very professional manner.


    ¡°How may I help you?¡±


    Emily quicklyposed herself and answered,


    ¡°I am Emily Muxin of butterfly designs.¡±


    A flicker of recognition shed across the receptionist¡¯s eyes, barely noticed before she concealed it.


    ¡°You may sit.¡±


    As Emily settled into the plush couch in the waiting area, her thoughts swirled with excitement.


    The receptionist made a call and said to Emily,


    ¡°Take the elevator, Miss. The third office by your left.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡±


    ¡°Miss Muxin?¡± the man in the office asked as soon as Emily entered. He was already expecting her.


    ¡°Yes, please.¡±


    ¡°You are wee, Miss Muxin. Your duties will be officiallymunicated to youter on. I will show you to your office.¡±


    Emily followed him out and they took the elevator to the fifteenth floor. Her office was next to the office of the CEO, Ye Sheting.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°This is your office, Miss. The CEO¡¯s secretary will be here soon to tell you all you need to know. Is there anything you want to ask me?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you. I will wait for the secretary¡¯s instructions.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I will take my leave then.¡±


    Once he was out of sight, Emily took in the magnificent office. It was tastefully furnished and decorated. She smiled in satisfaction. This was a clear contrast to where she had worked all her years in the USA before she married Noah and worked at Kim Enterprise. She suddenly felt grateful to the unknown father of Liam whom the results of their one night affair had prompted her to leave the country.


    ¡°Good morning, Miss Muxin,¡± the ceo¡¯s secretary greeted distracting her thoughts.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± she replied and studied thedy discreetly.


    She was of average height and plump. She wasn¡¯t as attractive as Emily and expected of Ye Sheting¡¯s secretary.


    Maybe he was more interested in qualifications and not appearances. That¡¯s nice.


    ¡°Miss Muxin, the first task and instruction from President Night is that you draft us a design so that we can see how and what you have in mind for a jewellery decoration. But then, he has samples in mind and would like you to go through them.¡±


    She handed a magazine to Emily.


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Work begun in earnest. Emily was determined not to let herself down. She went through the magazine of over five thousand different designs silently and carefully.


    The door opened and the famous CEO, Ye Sheting Night, walked in.

 Chapter 29

    Emily was so engrossed in her work that she didn¡¯t notice the CEO¡¯s entrance. It was after sometime that she felt and noticed the presence of another. She looked up and recognized the face immediately. It was her first time of seeing him in person but this face was in almost every business magazine.


    ¡°Good morning sir,¡± she greeted standing on her feet.


    ¡°Emily Muxin?¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Of Butterfly Designs?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. I am the one.¡±


    ¡°You look too young. I had expected you would be older,¡± he said studying her closely and carefully.


    What¡¯s wrong with achieving and attaining great heights at a young age? Was she supposed to wait till she grew old? Silly man!


    ¡°Are you done going through those designs?¡±


    ¡°Not yet sir. I¡¯m still on it.¡±


    ¡°Too slow.¡±


    Emily looked up in surprise and almost rolled her eyes at him. What did he mean by ¡®too slow?¡¯ The magazine has over five thousand designs which she had to study carefully. Moreover, she just started twenty five minutes ago.


    ¡°Hasten up with that. I will need you toe up with a design draft before the close of office hours today,¡± he ordered and walked out of the office with an air of nobility and authority.


    Emily thought him annoying, though calm. He wasn¡¯t as domineering as other Ceos¡¯ in USA and China she had heard of ore across.


    She continued going through the designs till she saw the one she thought was unique. She thought of altering some parts of it and adding more designs to make it stand out.


    ¡°I can¡¯t just create a design that has already been drafted by another. That¡¯s why I am Butterfly Designs, Emily Grant,¡± she muttered and smiled to herself.


    She took out her phone and snapped them. She sent them to Gu Yanxi online.


    ¡°What do you think of these?¡± she texted.


    Twenty minutester, Gu Yanxi texted back.


    ¡°They are great and unique.¡±


    ¡°I am thinking ofbining the designs to make a new and better one altogether. I want it outstanding.¡±


    ¡°The better. I trust your designing abilities. Thumbs up.¡±


    Emily decided on the designs she loved and went off to see the CEO¡¯s secretary.


    ¡°Good day.¡±


    ¡°Good afternoon Miss Muxin. Is there any problem?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. I have selected some designs and I want you to look at them. It¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°No, Miss. You don¡¯t show your designs to me. It¡¯s President Night who is to decide, Miss Muxin. I will let him know you are ready.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    From the transparent ss doors, Emily could see President Night seated in the outer part of his office. He was sipping wine and tapping his fancy pen on the table. Emily couldn¡¯t say if he was offended or not. He had an inscrutable expression on his face. He turned towards the door when his secretary entered. Emily couldn¡¯t hear their conversation but she quickly averted her gaze when he looked in her direction. She didn¡¯t know what he said but she saw his secretary shiver, bow and hurry out of the office. She tried her best to conceal her fright and difort from Emily but Emily could see way beyond her superficial smile.


    ¡°You can go in now.¡±


    ¡°Is this the best you could choose from there?¡±


    ¡°Yes, President Night.  They are actually three. I could work with the design pattern to make a more unique one.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait for you to make the design draft then. You know that thispetition entails a lot of hardwork and concentration.¡±


    ¡°I will do my best sir.¡±


    President Night picked up his ss once again and resumed drinking. Emily knew it was time for her to leave and she did so.


    While she was leaving, she sighted a beautiful womaning towards the CEO¡¯s office. She  ignored her and continued on her way to her office.


    President Night turned and looked in the direction Emily had left. He was worried. A lot of questions were going on in his mind.


    Was she going to make the perfect jewellery and dress design?


    Will she help him win thepetition?


    His grandfather as well as his father had both failed to secure the prize in their times as CEO of Ye Night¡¯spany. He had promised himself that he was going to bag that price once he got into office. Now, he was in that office and it was time to actualize his dream and bring the promise he had made to himself to fulfilment.


    He was lost in thought when Xia Lin entered. Xia Lin was his girlfriend. She was very proud and saucy. She always felt on top of the world because her boyfriend was the biggest CEO in the country.


    When she saw him staring in the direction Emily left from, the seductive smile on her face was quickly reced with a frown. She stormed towards him and called,


    ¡°Sheting?¡±


    When he didn¡¯t turn, she tapped him on the shoulder.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡±


    ¡°So, it¡¯s because of her that you are ignoring me?¡±


    ¡°Who is ¡®her¡¯?¡± he asked in bewilderment.


    ¡°That girl who just left. I saw you staring at her from the corridor.¡±


    ¡°She is the fashion designing, Lin.¡±


    ¡°Or my rival? I won¡¯t hesitate to take her out of the way of she is.¡±


    Emily didn¡¯t know she had made some enemies at her new ce of work even before she settled down to work. One was Xia Lin, the CEO¡¯s girlfriend. She was soon to meet the rest of her foes.


    She sat in thepany¡¯s cafeteria having lunch all alone. She so much appreciated the solitude. It helped her observe every other person in the cafeteria. She noticed two girls at a table not too far from her. They both red at her with extreme hatred. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder what the problem was. She had been hated by her own family in the past, hence, the hatred of others meant little or nothing to her.


    She just didn¡¯t want any problems at her new ce of work. She only wanted to do her job, which was to make designs for thepany in respect of thepetitioning up. Afterwards, she would leave thepany. She only had two weeks to stay and wasn¡¯t cut out for any drama of any sort.

 Chapter 30

    ¡°Hi!¡± a bright eyed young girl called smiling cheerfully and warmly at her.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    ¡°Can I join you?¡±, she asked the smile still stered on her face. She was carrying her tray of food.


    ¡°Sure, you can.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    She settled herself on the seat and ced her food on the table.


    ¡°I¡¯m Xuo Yen.¡±


    ¡°Emily Muxin.¡±


    ¡°You are new here, right? I haven¡¯t seen you around.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. I just came today. I am the fashion designer.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Wow. I thought as much. I am very familiar with nearly all the faces here. Nice to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Nice to meet you too.¡±


    ¡°You look lovely, I must say.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Before lunch was over, Emily had already found a friend in Xuo Yen.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°It was that thing you reced me with, Xian. After all I did to get the position. After all the nights I spent in your house, the rough sex and the threesome you made me do. Still, you gave the offer to that silly girl. What did she give you that I didn¡¯t? What has she got to offer? Tell me Xian!¡±


    ¡°Take your voice down, Wei. Don¡¯t yell please. Someone might be near and hear you.¡±


    ¡°No one is around. They have all gone to have lunch. Remember we left earlier. Now tell me, why Xian? What¡¯s my offence? You don¡¯t know how much I eyed this role, do you? Do you even know what it means to me? A famous designer! I eyed that role for years,¡± she screamed grabbing him by the cor.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me Wei. It was the CEO.¡±


    ¡°Do you expect me to buy that?¡±


    ¡°You need to believe me, Wei. I am not lying.¡±


    ¡°What did she give you that I didn¡¯t? I satisfied all your sexual needs, all. You didn¡¯t even care if I enjoyed it or not. I satisfied you as much as you wanted, anywhere, anyhow and anytime you wanted it. Only for you to relegate me to the background and give her the contract. Why Xian?¡± she broke down in tears.


    ¡°It was President Night, Wei. You know I won¡¯t do anything to hurt you. I love you so much.¡±


    ¡°Pre¡­. pre¡­ president.. Ni.. Night?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I was surprised too. I submitted your name to him but he rejected it instead.¡±


    ¡°I thought it was you. Are you not the one who had the sole power to choose fashion designers?¡±


    ¡°It was me. He rejected my decision at the dying minute. Believe me Wei. I sent your name to him. I spoke so well of you to a point that I was certain that you were going to get the contract.¡±


    ¡°And why didn¡¯t you tell me? You kept using me, you slimy bastard!¡± she yelled hitting him hard and crying all the more.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t use you. But hey! I have a good idea.¡±


    ¡°You used me. And to hell with your damn ideas.¡±


    ¡°Just listen. You know how much I love you and how much I want you to get this contract. I have a n. We can do something to take that designer out of the way.¡±


    That evening was Gu Yanxi¡¯s turn to rejoice. She was finally promoted after her many years of hard work. They both decided to celebrate themselves in a grand style. They agreed to attend a party that evening.  They needed to spoil themselves silly.


    The music was ring and everyone was dancing to the tune of the music. Gu Yanxi wasn¡¯t left out either. She swayed her waist to the tune and rhythm of the music and enjoyed every bit of it. Emily was rather a bit quiet. She did enjoy the party but she took care not to get drunk. Her ordeal of almost five years ago was still very fresh in her memory.  She didn¡¯t want a reurrence. She just sat all by herself and watched Gu Yanxi dance to her heart content. She suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom.


    On her way out of the restroom, a young and handsome man stopped her.


    ¡°Hello, pretty.¡±


    She took a discreet nce at him and was pleased by what she saw. He was handsome and had very good physical qualities. He was about 1. 7 metres tall and had a perfect profile. She however concealed her satisfaction.


    ¡°Hello pretty. How are you?¡± he asked again when he received no response from her.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, thank you,¡± she answered and made to walk away.


    ¡°Not so fast, pretty,¡± he said as he grabbed her hand. Emily looked at him in surprise. It was then he realized what he had done. He left her hands that instant.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    There seemed to be a spark and they both hit off so well that they wereughing hysterically on their way back to the party hall.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and seat somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I came with someone.¡±


    ¡°Can I have your phone number please?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± and she took his phone and input her digits.


    She turned to the direction of her table and saw that her seat was already upied by a guy. He was talking to Gu Yanxi and they seemed to be having a nice time. She didn¡¯t want to disrupt.


    When Greg noticed she wasn¡¯t moving, he asked,


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡±


    ¡°No, not really.¡±


    He traced her line of sight and asked,


    ¡°Your seat is probably upied?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she sighed.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s nice. You cane join me anyways.¡±


    Emily finally gave in and went with him.


    He turned out to be a very nice guy and she wasfortable with him.


    ¡°Are you kidding? A fashion designer?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Why are you this surprised?¡±


    ¡°I just love them and I love staying around them. I can be of very great help if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    Wow! That was really going to be nice. She could swear she needed all the help she could get. She was capable of making the design on her own but she needed healthy criticisms and encouragement as well. She was grateful.


    By the time she realized it, the night was far spent. She bid Greg goodbye and went back to look for Gu Yanxi. They needed to hurry home as it was a working day the following day. She looked around but there was no trace of Gu Yanxi!

 Chapter 31

    She looked around the party venue and everywhere she could think of but there was no trace of Gu Yanxi. Other attendees of the party were dancing away their worries. No one knew what was happening.


    She took out her phone and called Gu Yanxi but she wouldn¡¯t answer her phone. Emily panicked all the more.


    Had someone taken her away? Or has that guy she was with probably kidnapped her?


    Was she okay where she was?


    Was she in danger?


    What if she was having a very difficult time?


    ¡°Do I have to be so negative? She will definitely be fine wherever she is,¡± she said to herself trying her best to pull herself together. She looked at her time and saw it was almost time for Liam¡¯s caretaker to leave. They had only hired her for a while as they hoped to return early from the party.


    She took onest careful look around the hall, called Gu Yanxi¡¯s number again before she decided to hope for the best and go home.


    ¡°Ahhhh!! Harder¡­. Jessy¡­. ohh¡­¡±


    Gu Yanxi was somewhere in a guy¡¯s house making out while Emily was worried sick about her.


    It happened that she found the young man from the party pretty cool and easy going. They talked for a long time and everything ended in the bedroom.


    Gu Yanxi gave him her virginity that night and Andy had in turn given her the best sex ever. Gu Yanxi¡¯s phone kept ringing throughout the making out process. Emily called non stop as she was disturbed. She paced about all night and only fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning. What she did not know was that the girl she was worried about was in someone¡¯s arms, moaning and enjoying herself.


    The sex was so intense that they both fell asleep immediately after.


    Gu Yanxi rubbed her eyes as the sun rays from the half open windows shone on her face. The guy beside her opened his eyes at that time and smiled at her. She couldn¡¯t help but smile back. His smile was very beautiful and seductive. He pulled her closer and sealed his lips with hers. There wasn¡¯t any need to take off their clothing as they were both naked. He grabbed her breasts and gently caressed her nipples. She gave out a soft moan which was like music to his ears. He bent down and took one of the pink teats in his mouth. His other free hand moved delicately between her legs and was soon at the entrance of her delicate part.


    Gu Yanxi¡¯s phone rang again and jotled her to reality. It urred to her that it was morning and a working day. She disengaged herself from Jessy to his greatest dismay and picked up her phone. It was another call from Emily. She had seventy eight missed calls from her!! She grabbed her clothes and bag, dressed up and ran out of the house admist questions from the confused Jessy.


    Emily was about locking the door with a dejected look on her face when she saw Gu Yanxi approach her. She smiled broadly and hugged her dearly and tightly.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°What happened to you?¡±


    ¡°I have been calling you. I was bothered about you. Tell me Yanxi, what happened?¡±


    Gu Yanxi didn¡¯t know what to say. How will her friend who had been worried all night feel if she told her she had slept in a guy¡¯s house?This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    She was carried away the previous night that she forgot to inform Emily if her whereabouts.


    ¡°I.. I..¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. It¡¯s great to have you back hale and hearty. I made breakfast. Hurry up and go to work. You can¡¯t bete or you will have some nasty exnations to make. I will see you when I get back.¡±


    Emily left hurriedly leaving Gu Yanxi at the door. Gu Yanxi stared at her retreating figure and smiled slightly.


    She had a friend, a sister, a mother, in fact, everything in Emily. She felt bad for not informing her of her whereabouts the previous night. She promised herself that it would never happen again. She sighed and entered the house.


    The smell of chocte wafted into her nostrils and she felt her stomach rumble. She was hungry but she needed to have her bath first. She needed to clean up fromst night.


    She spent more time thinking about the previous night¡¯s affair than bathing. With every thought and memory that urred to her, she smiled broadly and closed her eyes to imagine the moment again. She could swear she wanted more.


    Emily walked into the office building and noticed that many people were staring at her and making faces at her. She normally resumed work one hour after the normal office hours. She was just a designer and had limited tasks. The serious atmosphere changed to a less serious one and everyone had a nastyment to make. They made suchments in hused tones so she could not find out what the problem was.


    ¡°Oh no! This is thest thing I want. Drama! I don¡¯t want this kind of thing at my work ce. Heavens please,¡± she prayed in the silence of her heart.


    ¡°She couldn¡¯t even make a simple design.¡±


    ¡°Then it means all her works were fake.¡±


    ¡°Who knows how she got the job? Maybe she had crawled up into the  Master¡¯s bed and the beds of so many top shareholders. She¡¯s so shameless.¡±


    Emily was finally able to point out something from their whispers. But they all didn¡¯t make sense to her. What did they mean by she couldn¡¯t make a simple design? Did they see her work the previous day? Or some of her sample works?


    She dismissed theirments as in jealousy. It was normal for people not to be pleased with your sess. But what she did not understand was why everyone was suddenly against her that morning. Who could it have been that had sown the seed of discord and enemity? And what was her offence?

 Chapter 32

    She walked steadily to the elevator and got in. She opened her office door and everything was normal. She heaved a sigh of relief. She didn¡¯t know she was in for a shocker that morning. She input her codes on the drawer and pulled it open. Her design of a few days ago was missing. Where could it be? She had taken time to make that draft that day and she was not going to find it funny if it went missing. She ransacked her drawers in search of it but it had disappeared into thin air.


    ¡°I am sure I left it here. Right here. That¡¯s where it was. I returned from the ceo¡¯s office and thought of how to keep this safe. I checked the table and I guessed the drawer was the safest ce. Yes. Then why is it not there?¡± she asked herself while calling to mind what happened that day.


    She searched for about ten minutes in all possible and impossible ces but she didn¡¯t see it. She sat down on her seat in dejection and tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall at any moment.


    There was a soft knock on the door. She wiped her tears and tried to act like all was well.


    ¡°Yes,e in.¡±


    The ceo¡¯s secretary walked in.


    ¡°Good morning Miss Muxin. The CEO wants to see you.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Thank you,¡± she replied but the secretary had already left.


    ¡°Please, he shouldn¡¯t ask for the design till I figure out what to do,¡± she prayed.


    Sadly, her prayer wasn¡¯t answered.


    ¡°Can I see the design again?¡± President Night asked without waiting for any formalities.


    ¡°Good morning sir.¡±


    ¡°Morning. The design,¡± he answered almost impatiently.


    Emily didn¡¯t know what to do. Telling the CEO that she was looking for the design will portray her an undisciplined and ipetent person. At the same time, she didn¡¯t want to tell lies that might lead her to trouble.


    ¡°Miss Muxin?¡± President Night called to her when she didn¡¯t reply to his question.


    She finally mustered courage and decided to tell the truth. It wasn¡¯t her fault it happened after all.


    ¡°Sir¡­ President.. Pre.. Sir¡­¡± she stammered.


    His cold gaze swept through her and he studied her silently increasing her unease. The look on his face seemed he was expecting her to say something that would create a bad image and impression of her.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Sir, I got to my office this morning and I found out that the design was missing. But I will make another one right away, sir. I am very sorry.¡±


    She waited for him to yell at her and tell her how ipetent and inept she was but she didn¡¯t hear anything. She raised her head and found him looking at her closely. She didn¡¯t know what he was thinking. When he finally spoke, he asked a question that surprised her.


    ¡°Where did you keep it?¡±


    ¡°Sir¡­ in my  drawers sir.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s the pass code?¡±


    ¡°6205¡±


    ¡°Default?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you change it? Do you never think security?¡±


    ¡°I am sorry sir. I never thought it could go missing from the office. I promise to be more careful next time.¡±


    ¡°When will the new design be ready?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow morning sir.¡±


    ¡°No. I want it today. We don¡¯t have time on our side.¡±


    ¡°Okay sir.¡±


    ¡°Go then and be fast about it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you sir.¡±


    Emily sighed and looked wearily at her table. She didn¡¯t know where and how to begin again. She was also given a time limit. It had to be ready that day! She took out her phone and decided to do something that will calm her a bit so that she would be ready for work.


    President Night smiled after she left. He had wanted to tell her that he had taken a photo of her design that day but he didn¡¯t want her to have things done easier. It might make her careless next time. He had snapped the design that day so that he would study it further. He wanted nothing but the best and devoted his time and energy to it. When he showed the design to his best friend, he was amazed and he told him that was the best design he could evere across. He further told him to hold Emily tight and not let her go. His friend believed that if Emily continued at that rate and pace, the Ye Shetingpany would win thepetition.


    His friend¡¯s opinion on the matter made him admire Emily and he started to see her in a different light. He saw her as an industrious andpetent young girl. He no longer thought her too young for her job.


    Earlier that morning, Xian hade to his office toy aint about the new designer.


    ¡°Good morning President Night.¡±


    ¡°How are you Xian?¡±


    Xian was Night¡¯s friend and employee. He enjoyed a few privileges as a result of their friendly rtionship.


    ¡°Sit, Xian. What¡¯s with the troubled look on your face?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about the new fashion designer. She isn¡¯t who we think she is. She is highly unskilled.¡±


    ¡°Why do you say so? Haven¡¯t you seen some of her designs?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the problem. Those designs aren¡¯t hers probably. She must have taken them from somewhere. You know how a lot of people eyed this position.¡±


    ¡°This is serious. How did you find out?¡±


    ¡°She submitted her design to me yesterday and it was qwack. I asked her a few things about it and she was unable to exin in professional terms. You know how much we want this prize and can¡¯t settle for less. We need to hire someone better. Someone who will give us what we want and in record time.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I will look into the matter and take necessary actions. Thanks for your findings.¡±


    It was then that it dawned on President Night that Xian was not happy about the selection. He had rejected his candidate and and he was bitter. He could have believed the story but Xian hadn¡¯t done his findings well. Fortunately for Emily, she scaled through.

 Chapter 33

    Xian was jubting with Luo Wei thinking that they had sessfully taken down their enemy.


    If Xian had done his findings well, he could have known that Emily was given the rare privilege ofing in contact with President Night. She submitted her design directly to him that day.


    Now, not only did he loose this battle, he also lost President Night¡¯s trust and confidence.


    When Emily said the design was missing, he knew immediately who was responsible. It was definitely Xian, and there was no two ways about it. He decided to keep calm and y cool and not let Xian know he was aware of his plot.


    After Emily had sweated over the design for an hour, she was called to the CEO¡¯s office. President Night printed the design from his phone and handed it to her. She was overjoyed.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Begin the design as soon as possible. The draft is good. Work on it and I want nothing but the best from you, Miss Muxin.¡±


    ¡°I promise to do my best, sir.¡±


    The working day was almost over and Emily was still thepany¡¯s fashion designer. Xian was worried but Luo Wei was even more troubled. She had bragged to her friends that she was going to be the new designer. It was going to be very shameful and a huge blow if it turned out to be false. She was going to loose face too. She sneaked into Xian¡¯s office when no one was watching.


    ¡°Did you meet the president this morning?¡± she asked in almost a whisper.


    ¡°Yes. He even agreed to look into the matter.¡±


    ¡°Then, why hasn¡¯t he done anything yet?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know either. Let¡¯s wait for some time and see what happens.¡±


    ¡°Wait for what? We have waited for too long. Go and remind him.¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s not a good idea. If I remind him, he might get suspicious of me.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense. What silly suspicion are you talking about? He would not do that. There is no reason or proof for that. Or is it that you don¡¯t want to go? Did you even go in the morning?¡±


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t say that. I went in the morning and¡­¡±


    ¡°Then why does your attitude not say the same?¡±


    ¡°Fine. If you want me to go and remind him, then I will.¡±


    ¡°Perfect. Remember what to say. She isn¡¯t a good designer. The works she submitted were all fake. None was hers. The design she made for the jewellerypetition isn¡¯t top notch and thepany will definitely be put to shame if such a designer is allowed to spend one more day. Tell him to be quick and find a substitute. He is your friend and will listen to you. Go, good luck.¡±


    The door was pushed open from outside startling both of them. A male colleague came in.


    ¡°So, this is what you guys do in here? Plotting to defame the designer? I will report you both.¡±


    Now, this young man had always hated Xian and Xian in turn hated him too. The reason was that Xian thought him intelligent and industrious and there were high prospects that the young man might be used to rece him in thepany if he didn¡¯t sit up and do something. As a result of that, he sat on and deprived this man of his due promotion for so many years. The man had troubled him a lot of times to give him what rightly belonged to him but he paid deaf ears. The man, Jace couldn¡¯t report to a higher authority. Due process was always followed in handling issues and he couldn¡¯t by pass his boss to have ess to the higher ups.


    But today, fate has smiled at him. He had met the senior staff on his way to his office and he was instructed to call Xian, the manager of the human resources department. When he got to the door and was about knocking, he heard whispers that prompted him to wait and listen.


    He heard every bit of their conversation and recorded it in his phone to serve as a concrete proof. He was sure he was going to be rewarded for exposing someone who posed a threat to the progress of thepany. Moreover, he would also get revenge and have his enemy taken out of the way. That also meant that he would get his due promotion.


    Xian knew he was doomed. He couldn¡¯t swallow his pride and ego to beg his enemy. Luo Wei on her own knew that she was going to be sacked from work that day if the information got to the CEO. Seeing that Xian wasn¡¯t saying or doing anything, she decided to take matters into her hands and save herself. Who knows, President Night might give Xian a second chance because of their friendship but there was no hope for her.


    ¡°What do you mean by plotting? How dare you use us?¡±


    ¡°Well, let me show you that it¡¯s nome usation. I have it all recorded in my phone,¡± he replied and  proceeded to y the record for them.


    Luo Wei nced at Xian and knew she had taken the wrong turn. She quickly retraced her steps and resorted to begging.


    ¡°Please, Mr. Jace, we could sort this out. You don¡¯t have to take the matter up.¡±


    Mr Jaceughed.


    ¡°Ohh! Now, you have decided to admit that you did something wrong, right?¡±


    ¡°Please, Jace, just say what you want. It will be done for you. We can negotiate this and you delete that record,¡± Xian suggested to the amazement of Jace.


    He couldn¡¯t believe his luck woulde so fast. His arrogant boss was finally asking him what he wanted. He thought of asking for his promotion and many other things that he had been deprived of. But first of all, he would love to have his boss beg him a little more.


    ¡°Yes, Mr Jace. Please, just say what you want and it will be done for you. Xian has promised.¡±


    ¡°His promise isn¡¯t enough.¡±

 Chapter 34

    ¡°What do you want, Jace?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anything. I will report you, unfailingly. Meanwhile, I came in here to tell you that the senior officer sent for you. For your information, I will take this record back to him and you will pay for your sins in a record time,¡± Jace threatened and made to leave the office. Luo Wei went on her knees and held him at the hem of his shirt.


    ¡°Please, Mr. Jace, have mercy on me.¡±


    Jace stopped. Luo Wei wasn¡¯t really his problem. He had never had issues with her in all his years in thepany. She had only spent about two years in thepany.


    ¡°Why are you the only one begging?¡±


    ¡°No Jace. She isn¡¯t. I am too.¡±


    Xian swallowed his pride and went on his knees before Jace!  Jace couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. He rubbed his eyes to be sure he was seeing correctly. He also pinched himself to ascertain that he was neither dreaming nor imagining things. It was real! His boss was on his knees begging him! He nearly screamed with joy but he held himself.


    ¡°Jace, I am on my knees too. What do you want? Just say what you want and it will be done for you.¡±


    Jace decided not to further waste the opportunity; for opportunity they say,es but  once. He thought carefully and responded,


    ¡°I want my due promotion and you are going topensate me for those years and also pay me to keep my mouth shut.¡±


    ¡°Is that all you want Mr. Jace?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Xian, please, save us. Please, I can¡¯t loose my job. You know how long I suffered and how I waited for so long to get this job? Please, help me,¡± Luo Wei pleaded with tears in her eyes.


    Her tears infuriated Xian. He wondered why she was acting like the only victim. They were both involved in that mess for crying out loud!


    He pondered on Jace¡¯s request. It was actually a simple one but he couldn¡¯t believe he was being ckmailed into giving h a promotion he had sworn to deny him of. Not only that, the bastard was asking forpensation and bribery to keep his mouth shut. What insolence.


    ¡°Well then, if you don¡¯t want to do it, I will be on my way.¡±


    ¡°Wait. How much do you want?¡±


    Jace concealed a smile and replied,


    ¡°One million Yuan.¡±


    ¡°One million what? Are you insane? Why¡­¡± Xian shoutedpletely forgetting that he was the victim and the one who was supposed to be begging. Jace too cowered when he heard the shout but he quickly remembered he was in charge and took control of the situation.


    ¡°One million Yuan and nothing less.¡±


    ¡°I will give you a promotion and one hundred thousand Yuan.¡±


    ¡°Xian, please¡­¡± Luo Wei began.


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    ¡°No, Mr Xian, it¡¯s one million Yuan or nothing.¡±


    ¡°Then I bloody dare you to go ahead and report and see if anyone will listen to you,¡± Xian sneered and stood up from his kneeling position.


    Jace quickly calcted fast and saw the golden opportunity was slipping from his hands. Xian was very capable of turning the tales against him if he wasn¡¯t careful.


    ¡°Fine then. I will ept the money.¡±


    Luo Wei heaved a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Mr Jace.¡±


    ¡°Delete the record first.¡±


    ¡°Not until I get the promotion and the money.¡±


    Xian narrowed his eyes at him and asked him for his ount details. He transferred the agreed sum and went ahead to fill a promotion form in fury. He signed it and ced his seal on it. Then he handed it to Mr Jace. It was then that Jace smiled broadly and deleted the voice record. He walked out of the office triumphantly and Luo Wei followed suit.


    Xian didn¡¯t bother going back to President Night with hisint. He knew they had to discard the n. Maybe he hadn¡¯t yed his cards well or heavens and some other unseen forces were on the side of Emily.


    Days kept going by and Emily got more engaged. She was putting finishing touches on her design. President Night too hadn¡¯t rested the whole time. He was determined to win this prize. There were days he even had to work overtime at the office or have Emily spend the night in his ce for the sess of this work. He didn¡¯t hand over the responsibility to a manager or any other employee. He did it himself and that got Emily impressed about him. She enlisted him in her good books and swore not to let him down. She worked as tirelessly as he did to make sure no stone was left unturned.


    Xia Lin stormed into Emily¡¯s office and pped her hard. Emily didn¡¯t think twice before returning the p. Hers was way hotter than Xia Lin¡¯s and her finger prints were imprinted on thetter¡¯s face.


    Xian Lin yelped and held her burning face. It was then that Emily looked closely to see who her enemy was. It turned out that it was thedy who she had seen walking towards the CEO¡¯s office on her first day at work. She didn¡¯t have time to ask questions because the girl held her face and ran out of the office. She turned towards the president¡¯s office and kept running. Emily was too busy to be bothered by lousy drama. She out the event behind her and got back to work.


    Meanwhile, in the president¡¯s office, Xia Lin came crying and cursing.


    ¡°Sheting! Now you have given that girl some guys that she had to p me.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    President Night turned to her and a sixth sense told him that it was her who had gone in search of trouble.


    ¡°You now ignore me because of that girl. I even learnt she spent the night at your ce. You have distanced me since she came. What have I done wrong? Do you have to rece me with that thing? She hit me too. See my face,¡± Xia Linined while shedding crocodile tears. She wanted Emily out of the way. She believed she was her rival and the reason for her boyfriend¡¯s attitude ofte.


    President Night looked at her face and truly, Emily¡¯s fingerprints were embroided on her face.

 Chapter 35

    He pulled her to a warm embrace and cleaned her tears with his handkerchief. He kissed her on the lips and ced her on hisps. He took an ointment on the table and applied it for her on her face. He didn¡¯t want to make an issue out of nothing. He knew there wasn¡¯t anyway Emily woulde in contact with Xia Lin if she didn¡¯t go to find her.


    ¡°I will make it up to you sweetheart. Just give me three more days. Thepetition will be held on the third day and everything will be over by then. I will do everything I didn¡¯t do for you these past few days. I promise.¡±


    Finally, the day of thepetition came. There was tension in the air when the exhibition was over. It was finally time to hear the results. People and dignitaries from all walks of the earth were in attendance. The third position was called and President Night didn¡¯t hear hispany¡¯s name. Second was called too and nothing. He sighed in disappointment. It was always the same old story. He felt so bad for putting in a lot of effort to get the prize.


    ¡°And the first position goes to¡­¡± the announcer paused to wet the appetite and increase the curiosity of his listeners. Everyone  stirred on their seats. They all wanted to hear from the horse¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°The grand winner of this year¡¯s jewellerypetition, is no other than Ye Night¡¯spany.¡±


    A loud apuse and cheer filled the room. Ye Sheting Night couldn¡¯t believe his ears. He was sure he heard wrongly. Hispany?


    ¡°And not only did Ye Night¡¯spany win thispetition, their design has the best so far in the fourteen years of thispetition. The CEO of Ye Night¡¯spany, please step forward for your prize.¡±


    Ye Sheting Night stepped forward to im his prize. He smiled broadly like never before. He had finally attained this enviable position which he had always hoped for.  He was also going to hold the position of the winner of the jewellerypetition for the next four years till anotherpetition is held.


    ¡°Alright distinguisheddies and gentlemen, we have finallye to the close of the fourteenth jewellery designingpetition. We thank you all foring and for participating. A new version will be held in four years time. Let¡¯s all give our grand winner a standing ovation.¡±


    Emily who was seated in her sitting room watching a live show of thepetition was overjoyed. She jumped and screamed so loud. There was no Gu Yanxi to share her joy at the moment. She had to wait for the close of the day when she would return from work. She thought of the fame and the money she was going to get for winning thepetition and she felt very fulfilled. She was very proud of herself for leaving marks in the sands of time and making a name for herself in the fashion designing world.


    News men and journalists hovered around President Night to get a word from him.


    ¡°How did you get to this height?¡±


    ¡°How  did you do it?¡±


    ¡°Who was your designer?¡±


    ¡°You must be very proud of yourself right now, aren¡¯t you sir?¡±


    ¡°Can we hear from you sir?¡±


    President Night finally spoke up,


    ¡°It tookmitment and the aid of my fashion designer, Emily Muxin of Butterfly Designs.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    News quickly spread like wildfire. Everyone acrooss the globe now knew of Emily Muxin and her Butterfly Designs. Thepetition was hosted in Los Angeles but the news had spread to all the attending countries and many more. Butterfly designs was now a very popr one.


    Gu Yanxi wasn¡¯t left out. She heard the news too at her ce of work. She wanted to call Emily immediately but sadly, they weren¡¯t allowed to use phones during work hours.


    ¡°Mummy, everyone in my school is talking about Butterfly Designs. Isn¡¯t that your brand name?¡± Liam asked when he returned from school.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t greeted mummy.¡±


    ¡°I am sorry mum. Good afternoon mummy.¡±


    ¡°How are you?¡±


    ¡°I am fine. Was that your brand name?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It is,¡± Emily satisfied his curiosity.


    ¡°What happened? Everybody is talking about it. In my school and even on the road. I couldn¡¯t ce what they were saying. What did you do mummy?¡±


    ¡°Baby, your mummy¡¯s design won apetition.¡±


    ¡°Wow. I am happy for you mummy,¡± he shouted and ran into her arms.


    ¡°Emily! Where art thou!!¡± Gu Yanxi yelled running into the house.


    ¡°Where is thetest celebrity? Butterfly Designs baby?¡±


    ¡°Yanxi, could you stop teasing me?¡±


    ¡°Teasing you? You are seated inside here without knowing the stir you are causing out there. Your fame is all over the country.¡±


    ¡°Are you just exaggerating?¡±


    ¡°Hell no. Everyone has heard that Ye Night¡¯spany won thepetition and that the designer is you, Butterfly Designs. They don¡¯t know your real name and possibly a lot of people don¡¯t know you in person. But your brand name is painting the town red. You don¡¯t need to act moderate. You have to be proud. This is by no means a small achievement.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this.¡±


    ¡°Emily of Butterfly Designs is now Ten million Yuan richer. Wow.¡±


    ¡°You stand to be corrected. Twenty million Yuan you mean to say,¡± Emily corrected and theirughter echoed across the room.


    President Night took the next flight and returned to China a happier and richer man. His efforts had yieled fruits. He was very happy to have employed Emily. His father and grandfather were very proud of him for attaining such heights. They even arranged for a grand asion to celebrate the sess.


    The Ye Night¡¯spany was thrown into jubtion. All those who were jealous of Emily now had sealed lips. Xuo Yen was also happy for her friend Emily. She had stood by her all those days.


    President Night was seated in his office waiting for Emily who he invited a few minutes ago. There was a soft tap on the door, he invited the person in and Emily entered. When he saw her, he did something that surprised her.

 Chapter 36

    He hugged her! He let go of his ego, dignity and mighty status and thanked her profusely. He promised to contact his ountant to send her bnce to her in a few hours.


    A weekter, Emily was seated in the Night¡¯s residence. She was invited by President Night to the family celebratation. His father and his grandfather had thought it wise to invite the fashion designer who had lifted their family high after so many trials.


    There were a lot of dignitaries in attendance. She sat in the garden enjoying the beautiful scenario and watching the guests. She noticed a young girl who was well dressed and her outfit made her stand out in the crowd. She wore a shouting red dinner gown and walked gracefully while holding hands tightly with a rich man. Emily could tell that the man was a stinkily rich business tycoon at a nce. Emily looked at the girl carefully and thought she knew her. She had seen the face somewhere but she couldn¡¯t remember where and how. She racked her brain for answers but answered weren¡¯t forting. The girl passed by a second time and this time, she was alone. Emily took the chance and studied her more carefully this time. Then boom! It clicked. It shed into her memory who this girl was. Grace Shields. Grace Shields was the daughter of Governesses Shields who had raised Emily when she was younger. She had Autism and was sent to a treatment centre owned and managed by Governesses Shields. Having recognized her, she stood up to say hello and also ask after the governess. The girl disappeared as before and Emily searched frantically for her and was able to spot her because of her conspicuous outfit. She hurried over not wanting to loose sight of her again.


    ¡°Hi!¡± she smiled and greeted as she got there.


    Grace turned to see who it was. She saw Emily and regarded her in disdain.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    Emily wasn¡¯t pleased with her reaction but she wanted some information about Governess Shields.


    ¡°I¡¯m Emily. You are Grace Shields, right?¡±


    ¡°Pardon? How do you know my name?¡±


    ¡°We grew up together in the treatment centre owned by your mum, Governess Shields.¡±


    ¡°Well, whatever that means, that¡¯s in the past now and I don¡¯t want to know you. Excuse me.¡±


    Emily was surprised and angry at the same time at the girl¡¯s rude attitude. She merely wanted to say hello and ask of her mum. She didn¡¯t evene to act familiar with her. She really wanted to know about the governess but she didn¡¯t want to get insulted by her rude daughter. Maybe she felt on top of the world because she had a rich business tycoon by her side.


    ¡°Mtcheew. Silly girl.¡±


    Greg, the guy she had met at the party showed up at her door a few dayster. He wanted to take her out to celebrate her sess. Emily didn¡¯t want something much, so she just opted they ate lunch. Emily ordered a foreign dish of rice and chicken while Greg ate their local Chinese dish.


    Emily hadpletely forgotten about Grace and had given up and getting any information about Governess Shields but fate hasn¡¯t forgotten her utmost desire. It happened that Governess Shields was also having lunch in the restaurant at that time. She was with an older woman who was about five or six years older than her. It seemed like they were two friends who had reunited. They they talked andughed heartily and ate with so much relish. They were sincerely happy to see each other.


    Emily and Greg were done with lunch and were good to go. Emily stood up and stole a look around the restaurant. She spotted the two happy women and recognized Governess Shields.


    ¡°Excuse me, give me a minute,¡± she said to Greg and hurried over to that side.


    ¡°Good afternoon Governess.¡±


    The Governess turned in her direction the moment she heard ¡°Governess.¡± Only the children she raised at her centre in the United States called her by that name. Her eyes lit in happiness when she saw her.


    ¡°Good heavens! Emily my dear child, how are you?¡±


    Emily was surprised that the Governess recognized her and even called her name. Despite that time span, Governess Shields could still recognize most of the kids from her treatment centre especially the ones who hade from troubled homes and were closer to her back then.


    ¡°I am fine, Governess. How about you?¡±


    ¡°God be praised dear child. You have grown so big.¡±


    Emily smiled at that. The Governess was still healthy and strong despite her age.


    ¡°You just left the United States Governess and there was no trace of you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I just had to leave suddenly. The situation was beyond my control.¡±


    ¡°I missed you Governess,¡± she said and hugged her. They stayed in that position for a few seconds before Emily released herself.


    ¡°Here,¡± the Governess said handing Emily her card.


    ¡°If you are free tomorrow, try to see me. It¡¯s important.¡±


    ¡°Sure Governess, I will.¡±


    She took the card and inspected it. It contained her residential address and phone number. She tucked it safely in her bag and went back to Greg.


    ¡°Where are you heading to?¡± Gu Yanxi asked that afternoon.


    Emily turned to the door where the voice hade from.


    ¡°And where have you been since yesterday?¡±


    ¡°I sent you a text. Didn¡¯t you get it?¡±


    ¡°I did get your silly text which said you wouldn¡¯t being homest night. The question now is this: Where were you?¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Gu Yanxi smiled as the memories of the previous night flooded her mind. She had gone to see Jessy.


    ¡°Yanxi? Why are you just smiling and not talking? Hmmmmm. There must be something fishy. Spill it. Tell me.¡±


    ¡°I went to see my boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°Boyfriend? Wait. So, Yanxi¡¯s got a man in this house and I don¡¯t know? That¡¯s not fair.¡±


    Gu Yanxi sat down and patted the space next to her.


    ¡°Sit. Let me brief you.¡±

 Chapter 37

    ¡°Brief? Hell no! I want full details.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going out?¡±


    ¡°Oh! Alright. Make sure you don¡¯t miss out on the main points.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so, his name is Jessy. I met him at the party and girl, he¡¯s so nice, handsome, hot and sexy. Above all, he¡¯s good and amazing in bed.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Was that where you were that night?¡±


    Gu Yanxi nodded with a smirk on her face.


    ¡°Crazy child. I was here worried about you. You have many more exnations to make and I will deal with you when I get back,¡± Emily threatened and stood up.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°I am off to see the Governess. The one I told you about. She requested to see me. There are some things she wants to tell me.¡±


    ¡°How has life been all these past years, Emily?¡±


    ¡°Governess, it hasn¡¯t been easy. I  lived an unhappy life at home with my parents as you know. Some yearster, I decided to leave the USA for China and I am d I did.¡±


    ¡°I am happy you don¡¯t regret your decision.¡±


    Emily  had carefully avoided telling the Governess the exact situation of things. She didn¡¯t tell her she had gotten married and was now a divorcee. She didn¡¯t tell her she had a child out of wedlock. This was because she didn¡¯t want the older woman asking too many questions and getting worried about her.


    The Governess cleared her throat and began.


    ¡°I sent for you because I wanted to tell you something. It¡¯s important you listen carefully.¡±


    For a full minute, she said nothing more. Emily decided to break the ufortable silence.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°What is it, Governess?¡±


    ¡°Listen¡­¡±


    She stood before the imposing buildings of ckwood Towers and thought to herself,


    ¡°I am back to im my possession.¡±


    Then she walked majestically to the entrance. As was expected, the security denied her ess for security reasons. She was neither a staff nor a visitor on appointment.


    Thirty minutester, the automatic gates opened to usher in  President Noah. He was dressed in a corporate outfit, a suit but he still looked handsome. He was the only upant of the car, there was no driver. He had driven himself that morning. Noah didn¡¯t notice the woman at the gates. He merely drove in and went straight to the parking lot. People and things had always been trivial to him.


    Noah adjusted his tie and put down his pen. He had been reading documents and endorsing his signature for the past one hour. The coffee on his table had gone cold. He stirred it with the teaspoon for two whole minutes in deep thought.


    His father had posed a stumbling block to his progress in finding his sister. He had ordered the chiefs at the hospital not to release any more documents to him. He had been too busy mapping out better strategies and making time for his fianc¨¦e, Benny Jones to pay his father a visit. He would not let his father stop him from finding his sister, dead or alive. He needed to know what happened after she was born.


    He sent for his secretary and asked him to make him another cup of coffee.


    His phone rang and it was Benny.


    ¡°Good day, my dear president Noah.¡±


    His eyebrows furrowed slightly.


    ¡°Afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Can we go out to have lunch, please?


    Noah wanted to say no. But he didn¡¯t want her to feel sad and neglected.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Thanks sweetie. Will you send someone to pick me up?¡±


    ¡°I will do it myself. Get ready. I will be at the Vi in thirty minutes,¡± and he hung the call.


    His secretary entered with the cup of coffee.


    ¡°Sir, you have a visitor. It¡¯s a scheduled appointment.¡±


    ¡°Who is that?¡±


    ¡°Mr Francis Lee, from Donmackpanies.¡±


    Noah sipped his coffee and said nothing.


    ¡°Should I let him in, sir? the secretary asked cautiously. He didn¡¯t want to offend the president; he knew the consequences. Questioning President Noah was a taboo and an unwritten but the most importantw in thepany.


    ¡°Yes. Get him a cup of coffee too, with plenty of milk.¡±


    Mr Francis and Noah were friends.


    ¡°You don¡¯t look good,¡± Mr Francis was quick to notice when he entered the office.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m troubled but I will sort it out. Have a seat. How are you doing?¡±


    The coffee was brought in and handed to Mr Francis by the secretary.


    ¡°You know, ckwood, we haven¡¯t gone for the lunch we agreed on.¡±


    Noahughed.


    ¡°Can you stop calling me ckwood, Francis? My name is Noah!¡±


    ¡°ckwood sounds better. I can¡¯t stop.¡±


    ¡°Maybe because I didn¡¯t correct this mess on time. I think I will throw you a punch next time.¡±


    Bothughed heartily.


    ¡°I always do a good job lightening your mood.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you do. It¡¯s a pity we rarely get to meet. It¡¯s always work and schedules.¡±


    ¡°Well, my presence here today isn¡¯t any different from work, either.¡±


    ¡°Sadly.¡±


    ¡°Common, ckwood. We could hang out this weekend.¡±


    ¡°I would love to but I will be busy during the weekend and¡­¡±


    ¡°Move your schedule.¡±


    ¡°Hey man! And why?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s Francis Lee asking! You gats put me first before that silly schedule of yours.¡±


    ¡°Francis Lee indeed. You are still the same, you haven¡¯t changed one bit. Alright then. Let¡¯s see how the weekend goes.¡±


    ¡°Nice coffee I must say. You enjoy this everyday. I could steal yours now, you know.¡±


    Noah jokingly rolled his eyes at him.


    ¡°Okay. Over to business. You know your fianc¨¦e had rejected virtually all our designs, despite how good and grand they were. I have decided to hire a renowned designer.¡±


    ¡°Well, you know best. I just want the best and I want to give my fianc¨¦e the honour of making the decision. As long as she likes it, it¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Alright then. We will proceed to hire her. See you.¡±


    Francis gulped down his coffee and off he went.


    Noah stopped him at the door and asked,


    ¡°Who is this designer?¡±


    ¡°Her name is all over the news. She helped Ye Night¡¯spany bag the Asian world jewellerypetition. She¡¯s called Butterfly Designs. She will surely deliver,¡± he answered from the door and shut it.

 Chapter 38

    ¡°Butterfly Designs,¡± he muttered.


    The smile on his face slowly vanished. He thought about his rtionship with Benny. He had longed to see her again those four years. But now she was by his side, he didn¡¯t feel the same anymore. Was it because he was too busy or because he was worried about his sister?


    He shrugged and stood up to meet his appointment with her. As he drove out of thepany, his eyes fell on the woman who was standing there. Were his eyes deceiving him?


    No! He was indeed seeing Grace Shields. Mixed emotions of hatred and painful love flowed through his heart that instant. Their eyes met and she shed him a charming and disarming smile. He quickly averted his gaze and drove off.


    ¡°Why was she back in town? And what does she want in mypany?¡±


    Lunch with Benny went smoothly and he drove her back to the vi. He kissed her and made to leave.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you spend more time with me?¡±


    ¡°Next time Benny. I will.¡±


    She pouted and he smiled.


    ¡°I said I will next time, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay. I want to go shopping.¡±


    ¡°You are free. You can go if you wish. I will send someone with you. Pick anything you want and I will pay for it. Just let me know when you are ready. I need to go back to the office. I have a meeting.¡±


    The automatic gates opened and Noah made to drive in. Grace stood in the way and this time, there was no way he could pretend not to see her. The security men around opened their mouths in shock. They all thought in the same direction.


    ¡°Was this woman crazy? Did she want them to lose their jobs?¡±


    They all looked on to see the President¡¯s reaction. They also braced themselves up for what would follow. A sack or a query for ipetence depending on the president¡¯s mood. However, they prayed for the lesser evil.


    Noah wound down his ss and beckoned to her and she walked gracefully and elegantly to his window. He wanted to say something but he noticed the security men all had their focus and attention on him. Before he could even figure out what to do next, she was already tugging at the passengers door, indicating to him to open it. He pressed a button and the door opened. She hopped in and made herselffortable. He didn¡¯t spare her a nce, he just drove in.


    No words were exchanged from the parking lot to Noah¡¯s office. Even inside the elevator, he kept a good distance from her. When they got to the office, Grace took it upon herself to break the ufortable silence.


    ¡°I missed you, Noah.¡±


    Noah stopped abruptly in his tracks and she identally collided with him. She used the opportunity to hug him from behind and he quickly withdrew like he had touched something hot.


    ¡°Are you crazy?¡±


    ¡°Common Noah. I know you still want me.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. And to think you followed me here to do this is disgusting. Get out of my office if this is what you came for.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s talk it out.¡±


    ¡°I said no! What don¡¯t you understand? Is it ¡®no¡¯ that you no longer understand? I hope you are not misinterpreting the fact that I let you into my office for love bec¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s definitely what it is.¡±


    ¡°I could have dismissed you out there but for the prying eyes of the security personnel. I don¡¯t want any more scandal or dirty news about me from the press. Now, get out.¡±


    Was he really turning her out? Does it mean that he needed more persuasion? She had done her findings well before trying.  Noah was not married and has no reason to be extremely cold towards her.


    Had he found another woman?


    She quickly countered the thought. She knew how much he loved and adored her and believed he would never love any woman like that.


    All these thoughts fueled her determination to get closer to Noah and take what rightly belongs to her.


    ¡°Look Noah, I am sorry for what happened some years ago. I still love you and I know you feel the same for me. We can make amends and let bygones be bygones.


    ¡°Noah! Please, you can¡¯t be this cold towards me.¡±


    Noah said nothing. He sat on his seat, his face buried over a file he was pretending to read.


    Grace looked around the exquisite office and her eyes widened when she saw his picture with Liam that hung on the wall.


    Was he his son? Does Noah now have a son? When and how?


    ¡°Who¡¯s he?¡± she asked.


    Noah looked up to see the ¡°he.¡± He nced at the portrait and returned once more to his book.


    ¡°Jewel¡­¡± Grace called him the pet name she used for him back in the years. The name usually had a positive effect on him then. He always smiled and did what she asked whenever she called him that. But today¡­


    ¡°Bang!¡± he hit his fists on the table and stood up, his eyes brewing fire.


    ¡°Get out right now,¡± he said,ying emphasis on every single word.


    ¡°Noah¡­ I¡­.¡±


    ¡°Get out or I will ask the security to throw you out.¡±


    Grace knew he always carried out his threat so she walked quietly out of the office.


    Noah slumped on his chair and took his train of thought back to the years they were together. He remembered how much he loved her and everything he did for her. He said ¡°I love you¡± and meant it but she didn¡¯t. She just left him without looking back. He lost the girl he devoted three whole years to religiously and she didn¡¯t feel bad for leaving him.


    And now, how dare she think she could walk her way back into his life like a space was permanently left for her? Was she insane? He looked out of the window and spotted her walking towards the gate. He didn¡¯t ever want to see her again. Never!


    ¡°Good riddance,¡± he thought as she stepped out of the gates. Sadly and unknown to him, there was no good riddance for someone like Grace Shields.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

 Chapter 39

    Noah left the meeting hall and stumbled on Rose on his way out. This was his first official appearance in thepany since he became the owner. He had assigned a manager to handle the affairs of thepany. He decided to show up that day to see how things were going.


    ¡°Good morning President Noah,¡± she greeted, smiling broadly.


    ¡°This silly girl. Why is she here?¡± he thought.


    ¡°How are you doing?¡± she pressed further.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you working? Get back to work, now!¡±


    She was surprised at his tone. She had thought her smile was going to have its usual effect. Her smile always had the power to melt hearts. It had worked on virtually everyone but Noah. She raised her eyes and met his eagle eyes fixed on her. They seemed to bore into her soul and could see through her. She realized she hadn¡¯t obeyed hisst order. She turned and walked back to her office.


    ¡°It¡¯s just because I haven¡¯t sent her and her entire family out of thepany,¡± he sighed and continued on his way.


    When Noah sessfully bought the shares and became  the owner of thepany, one thing he did not do was retrenchment of workers. He even left Mr Williams a position as a senior staff member of thepany.


    But Olivia was still bitter that they had lost the full rights of ownership in thepany. She had thought of possible means to reim thepany but none was realistic.


    Rose sat in her office, seething in anger. It was supposed to be her issuing orders in thatpany and not the other way round. President Noah had just ordered her to get back to work. How dare he! This was still her father¡¯spany and there were no two ways about it. She put her work aside and decided to map out her ns.


    Should she seduce him and make him relinquish power? That sounded like the perfect solution. But heck! She had tried it before and failed woefully. Should she try again? No. He might find out her aim and punish her before she recorded sess. She hated to record any failed ns.


    Elimination? No. He probably had a next of kin and such a great man could not be eliminated just like that.


    ¡°Arrgh!¡± she screamed in exasperation. She had always loved, wanted and craved power and just as she was about clinging to power as the new CEO of thepany, Noah appeared from nowhere and took over thepany. Just like her mom, she wasn¡¯t going to sit back and let this go on since it had already happened. The factors that made her ns unrealistic weakened her. She decided to seek help from an external source since it was clear she couldn¡¯t do it alone. She thought of who to beckon to and her mind screamed ¡®Ben.¡¯  Yes. Ben was the answer.


    She stood up and went to the restroom with her phone. She looked around to make sure no one was in sight or eavesdropping. Having made sure that there was no one around, she entered inside and shut the door.


    ¡°Hello! Good morning.¡±


    ¡°Rose?¡±


    ¡°Yes Ben. It¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°What a pleasant surprise. It¡¯s been a while. Have you decided to consider my proposal?¡±


    ¡°Common Ben. Stop that please. I have a business for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m all ears. Fire on.¡±


    ¡°My dad¡¯spany has been taken over by some rogue. I need your help to get it back from him.¡±


    ¡°Elimination?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°No. That¡¯s not the best idea. He isn¡¯t a small fry and I am sure he has a next of kin.¡±


    ¡°He isn¡¯t a small fry? What do you mean by that? Who is he?¡±


    ¡°Noah Harper.¡±


    ¡°Huh? President Noah?¡± Ben screamed over the phone.


    ¡°Yes. And can you stop shouting, please? Someone might hear you.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what you are talking about? Do you know the social status of the man in question?¡±


    Rose frowned.


    ¡°Why are you asking me all these questions? This is business. Are you interested or not?¡±


    ¡°It will cost a huge sum to get this deal done. It is neither a small nor easy job.¡±


    ¡°I am willing to pay. How do we go about it?¡±


    ¡°The best way is to prepare an agreement and make him sign it.¡±


    ¡°Great. How will it be done? How do I make him sign it?¡±


    There was a pause for a moment as both were thinking of the best ways to carry out the n. Ben came up with an idea.


    ¡°We could drug him, seduce him and make him sign it and this is a huge task. I will need to prepare a legal document, monitor his schedule, know when to spike his drink and arrange a girl to seduce him and get him to sign it.¡±


    ¡°How much will it cost?¡±


    ¡°Five hundred thousand dors.¡±


    ¡°Ben. That¡¯s outrageous!¡±


    Before Ben could speak, there was a sharp knock on the door and she ended the call abruptly.  She put her phone away and washed her hands.  She opened the door and pretended like she came to use the restroom like every normal person on any day.


    Fortunately, she thought, she hadn¡¯t said anything that would give her away and hopefully, she had spoken in hushed tones and there was no way thedy could have overhead her.


    Thedy looked at her suspiciously and her heart skipped a bit.


    Was she mistaken? Had her tone not been low enough?


    She nced at thedy expecting her to say something but she didn¡¯t. She braced herself to her something like,


    ¡°I heard all you ns and I will expose you,¡±


    but she didn¡¯t hear anything like that. She assumed thedy had not heard anything. She acted in a veryposed manner to avoid arousing suspicion. She entered her office and met her colleagues all working seriously. The atmosphere was a bit tense and the seriousness in them seemed enforced. She asked the girl next to her what it was about.


    ¡°The  manager was here on the instruction of President Noah. He took down your name as absent from work.¡±

 Chapter 40

    Rose opened her mouth in surprise. President Noah was running a check on thepany workers? Was she going to be sacked for ipetence?


    She panicked inwardly but maintained a brave face on the surface. She must finalise her deal and carry out the n with Ben soonest  before she will be thrown out of thepany. It didn¡¯t bother her that what she wanted to do was a herculean task. She would get herpany back by hook or crook. Moreover, she had apetent and capable person by her side.


    That evening, she sent a text to Ben.


    ¡°I will pay you one hundred thousand dors for us to begin this. I have to be fast please.¡±


    Two hours passed and he hadn¡¯t replied yet. Those two hours, she kept checking her phone for any notification but got none. When. He responded atst, he disagreed. He said it was the initial five hundred thousand dors or no deal.


    She wanted to take over thepany badly and as soon as possible but the money was too much and she didn¡¯t have enough money to fund the n.


    Rose got to work the following morning and was given a query for her absence the previous day. She was not only given a query, but was threatened with a sack the next time she would be found wanting.


    She thought of how to raise the required amount and decided to go see one of her admirers. She knew how to get money out of some of them.


    She did what she was asked to do in exchange for the money. It didn¡¯t matter to her that she was in a rtionship.


    Clinton, her boyfriend, couldn¡¯t be of help at the moment. Of course, he had the money but he wouldn¡¯t give her that huge sum at the snap of her fingers. She was allowed to cheat on him to get what he can¡¯t do for her done by another.


    That was her theory.


    Now that the money was in her hands, she set to work immediately. She didn¡¯t want to waste any more time.


    Ben began to n and strategize to get Noah¡¯s schedule. The required agreement was prepared ording to Rose¡¯s instructions and under her close supervision. She wanted more than just thepany. He was going to return thepany as well as his shares in thepany. She wanted to erase every trace of him. It was a disgrace her father sat back with his arms folded and let her inheritance disappear.


    If she didn¡¯t fight to get thispany back at the moment, she would have nothing to boast of in the near future and will definitely loose ss. And that was something she dreaded and would do everything in her power to stop it from happening.


    She had already envisioned the n as sessful. Ben had given herplete assurance and she had absolute confidence in him. He always delivered business brought to him perfectly, hers would go smoothly too.


    Finding out Noah¡¯s schedule was a hard nut to crack. It was harder than he had expected but as a pro in this kind of business, he manoeuvered his way and was able to keep track of Noah¡¯s schedule. He was about to strike the next shot and move to the next level when he discovered he had failed woefully in the first. He didn¡¯t know Noah¡¯s schedule.


    Days went by and Rose¡¯s impatience increased with each passing day.


    Then one day, a silver lining appeared in the sky. ckwood Towers was celebrating its tenth anniversary under the management of Noah Harper. Noah had never been someone to celebrate anniversaries. It was Benny¡¯s idea. She painted the picture like she was solely talking about the anniversary and celebrating his achievements. After all, he had taken thepany to it¡¯s apex and made it the most powerfulpany in the country and its environs.


    But what she really wanted was a public appearance with him. She wanted the world to know that she had climbed the socialdder. She wanted to gain recognition and respect as well as envy in the eyes of her foes.


    He had never attended any social gathering with her. When she asked, the answer she got was that he seldom attended them. All he attended were business social gatherings and he couldn¡¯t bring her along.


    He told her to choose a wedding dress as fast as possible so he could get married to her and she would attend all the gatherings with him.


    The anniversary celebration was organised for all thepanies under ckwood Towers; the major firms and the subsidiary firms. Rose¡¯spany was among. She informed Ben and he took it up from there.


    Royal suites hotels was given the contract of hosting the asion. A work free day was dered for ckwood Towers and a party was to be held in the evening. The workers were overjoyed as this has never happened in all the years of thepany¡¯s existence. Although work free days were dered, there had never been a party to mark the celebration. But what excited the workers more was that the president was going to be in attendance! He was going to be there in person and not send a delegate. A greater percentage of his workers haven¡¯t seen him before. Neither have they shared the same space with him. They all looked forward to meeting this handsome and powerful CEO everyone spoke about.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Benny spent much time looking for the right and perfect outfit to present herself to the world as Noah¡¯s fianc¨¦e. That very enviable position needed her to appear at the asion looking more elegant than anyone else.


    It was D-day. Only employees were invited and they had to input their employee cards at the door to be granted ess.


    Rose swiped her card at the door and was given ess to the hall. She looked towards the VIP section and smiled. It was time to take back what was hers.

 Chapter 41

    She went to the position assigned to herpany and sat down. Where she was enabled her to get a good view of the hall. Then she took a good look at the hall. It was grand and well decorated. It was the most beautiful and perfect decoration she had ever seen.


    But that wasn¡¯t her main focus.


    She was only concerned about the sess of her n. She wanted to enjoy the party to the fullest knowing fully well that she was going to be an independent CEO soon, as a matter of fact, after that night.


    Noah entered the hall and everyone stood up  to wee him. There was a loud noise as the workers pped and cheered. Many of them were stunned at his physical qualities. He was well built and exceptionally handsome. Somedies even imagined themselves in his arms. They envied Benny by his side. She looked very radiant in her attire and her beauty dazzled like the sun. She smiled sweetly and proudly by his side.


    ¡°Who is she?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s that girl beside him? Do you know?¡±


    ¡°Is she his wife?¡±


    ¡°She must be his fianc¨¦e.¡±


    ¡°Oh! What a lucky girl.¡±


    Different people with different opinions whispered about Benny in the crowd.


    Noah thought of granting his workers some liberty and he allowed them to get closer to him. He had made sure that only employees were allowed and during the card swiping to enter inside, they were searched by the machine without their knowledge.


    No one who had anything was allowed to enter so he felt very safe with his workers.


    He sat down quietly and enjoyed the party. Throwing a party to celebrate his anniversary wasn¡¯t a bad idea at all. He was amazed by the number of workers under his control. Possibly, some weren¡¯t even present, so he had more than those in the hall that evening. They were all happy to have a massive party and somehow, their happiness brought joy to his heart. He found himselfughing at some point at their hrious dance steps and actions.


    His perceptive nature came to y and his eagle eye spotted one of his workers and his instinct told him to watch her closely.


    He however acted like all was normal while tactfully keeping an eye on her.


    The workers rallied around him which was a very rare urrence and a once in a lifetime privilege for every one of them.


    They said congrats and dropped whatever gifts they had to offer. Each person tried to outdo the other as they all made efforts to curry the president¡¯s favour.


    It was at that time that the girl tactfully, and like a master in the act, slipped whatever it was into his drink. Noah couldn¡¯t believe it. He was even more surprised at her audacity. She dared to spike his drink.! Of course, he was the only one who noticed this discreet act. Noah had well developed sense organs. He lifted the ss and brought it closer to his nose. His sensitive nose picked up the smell.


    Why will someone drug him on that day? What was the person¡¯s aim? It wasn¡¯t poison. His great knowledge of drugs made him know the purpose of each. This one in question was to make him feel weak, dizzy and consequently subconscious or worse still, unconscious. He kept his cool and the party continued. He refilled another ss and exchanged it with the other. He wanted to see the aim of whoever it was. He wanted to know the bastard who dared to mess with him!


    He pretended to feel dizzy and excused himself.


    ¡°Is there a problem baby,¡± Benny asked


    ¡°No, I just feel a bit funny.¡±


    ¡°Maybe because you aren¡¯t used to parties like this?¡±


    ¡°Maybe. Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.¡±


    The rest room at the VIP section was well secured with security measures put in ce. He was washing his face when a very beautiful young girl showed up. She was half naked and her dressing could arouse any sexually bnced man. Well, Noah wasn¡¯t so he was disgusted at her. She came closer to him and smiled seductively. She rubbed his back and said sweetly,


    ¡°You must be feeling tired. Let me guide you to your room.¡±


    He knew immediately that this was all part of the conspiracy and yed along. He let her guide him to a room and even helped him open the door with his card. Sheid him on the bed and gave him a good massage. He shifted his face when she tried to kiss him. When she thought it was time and he was nearly  half conscious, she brought out a paper and a pen and tried to get him to sign the paper. This was what he was waiting for. He wanted to know who was behind this and was surprised at what he saw. The Grant family was behind this. Having confirmed it, he stood up and quit the act.


    His sudden action took the girl unawares. She knew she was doomed. She fell on her knees, shedding tears and pleaded for mercy before he could say anything.


    ¡°I¡­. I¡­ am.. I am so.. sorry sir. Please sir¡­¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Who sent you?¡±


    ¡°I am sorry sir. It wasn¡¯t me¡­¡±


    Noah locked the door securely and there was no escape for her. She quickly spilled it hoping to obtain pardon for her honesty or maybe, a lesser punishment.


    She was paid to seduce him and make him sign the papers. She was to slip out and never show up on his face again or breathe a word of it to anyone after the deal is done.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even read it, I swear. I was given strict instructions not to open it. President please, I am sorry sir. Please forgive me sir. I will never do this again.¡±


    Shey t on the floor pleading for mercy.


    ¡°Who sent you?¡± Noah asked again after she was done pleading.

 Chapter 42

    ¡°My boss sir.¡±


    Her answer infuriated Noah.


    ¡°Will you speak up and say something sensible or I p sense into your thick skull this evening.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Dan.¡±


    ¡°Call your colleague. Tell her toe here right now.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any colleagues here,¡± she denied.


    The rule of the game was that sess was a shared value while failure was a personal thing. If you got caught in carrying out your task, it was secrecy at all costs. She only exposed her boss to reduce her punishment.


    ¡°You still have the guts to lie to me? Are you crazy?¡±


    Noah resisted the urge to give her a deafening p.


    He called the security and handed her over to them. He also asked them to arrest the other girl quietly.


    Rose was on her bed smiling and thinking of the respect and honour she was going to start getting soon. She was already envisioning herself as CEO. She was going to be CEO Rose. A very nice position she had always wanted. She was just waiting for Ben to call her and deliver the good news.


    Ben called a few minutester and asked her to see him.


    ¡°Did everything go as nned?¡±


    ¡°I will tell you everything. Come, and be quick too. I will text you the address.¡±


    Rose had her bath and got dressed. She hurried to the arranged ce, her heart bubbling with joy. She couldn¡¯t wait for the good news. She even yelled at the cab driver for being too slow.


    ¡°Hey, can you drive faster?¡±


    ¡°This is the highest I can go, Miss. Security and safety entails that you don¡¯t drive above the speed limit and¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough of that your sermon. I only gave a simple instruction.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    The cab driver kept quiet and continued driving within the speed limit. He didn¡¯t let her naggings bother him. He wouldn¡¯t let some bitter woman spoil his day that early morning.


    Rose ran into the office that they agreed to meet and found Ben seated in handcuffs!


    ¡°Ben? What happened? Why¡­¡± Before she couldplete her question, the police apprehended her. Finally, all the perpetrators of the crime have been caught. Rose couldn¡¯t believe what was happening. Their n failed? And not only did their n fail, they were also arrested by the police. She was done for. Noah would go any length to get them all severely punished. She was taken to the other room with Ben. There, she met the three people who were part of the n. Not even one of them escaped! They were hauled into the waiting police van and taken to the police station. Rose was worried. Was she going to be behind the bars soon? She even got more annoyed with Ben for flopping the n and giving her away. Now, they would all pay for it.


    Couldn¡¯t he have done without involving her? Hadn¡¯t she paid him? She looked at him and felt like strangling him.


    Ben on his own thought her a terrible ill luck. He had sessfully carried out shady deals in the past and had gotten away with all but hers was a mess. He had even been more careful in handling hers than he had been in all others. He scaled through in others but failed in hers. There was no doubt she was bad luck. He wished he hadn¡¯t done this with her.


    Sadly, this was no time for regret and the hands of the clock could not be turned back. They all had to face the consequences. It wasn¡¯t time to apportion me. They were all in it together. However, each person prayed for a lesser punishment.


    ¡°Now you are all here, I want your statements. Nothing but the truth,¡± said a pot bellied policeman who seemed to be the boss there. He gave each of them a paper and a pen. He sat his fat self on the seat and read his newspaper while waiting for them.


    About two hourster, President Noah showed up at the police station. The criminals were all brought before him and he looked at Rose directly in her eyes for a full minute. She looked down in shame but he kept looking at her. His interest and focus was on her. She probably masterminded the whole thing. He recalled her vain attempts to make him let go of thepany.  He walked closer to her and stood a few inches away from her.


    ¡°Hey! Look up.¡±


    He sounded like an investigating officer. One could mistake him for the officer in charge, just that he wasn¡¯t in uniform.


    ¡°You masterminded all these, right?¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you speak?¡± a policeman nearby shouted at her.


    ¡°President Harper is asking you a question and you are not responding.¡±


    He moved menacingly towards her but President Noah motioned him to stay calm. He shifted his attention from Rose and swept his gaze across the others. They shivered and hung their heads. Noah came to hear the story from the horse¡¯s mouth. He wanted to know how and where they got the courage from.


    Merely looking at them, he could guess how it all happened.


    Rose had paid Ben to make Noah sign the document and release her father¡¯spany. Of course, Ben couldn¡¯t carry out the task alone. He contacted Dan and paid him to get him two girls to do the job. Rose was required to give the girl an employee card. She simply got her colleagues card. She had helped her hold her purse the previous day and she picked it out.


    The girl entered sessfully and wouldn¡¯t have been spotted but for Noah. Thest girl had also entered the same way and was well hidden in the restroom. The n was for her to sneak out of the room, change her outfit and join the party like every normal employee once the document was signed.


    Everything went as nned and just when they were about to gloat, the n fell through.


    Noah turned to the police man and said, ¡°Put them all behind bars.¡±

 Chapter 43

    No! She couldn¡¯t spend her days in jail. Her heart was too filled with anger to beg Noah. She would never do that. After all, she did nothing wrong as far as she was concerned. She was merely taking what rightfully belongs to her. Who gets punished for taking what is hers?


    The others, knowing how powerful, mean and merciless Noah was, fell on their knees and pleaded for mercy but Noah ignored them and went out.


    He took a deep breath as he sat in his car. The Grant family had stepped on his toes. How dare they! Was it because he didn¡¯t show them the way out? Was it because he still let them retain employment in thepany? He will make them have a taste of his wrath.


    Could it be possible that this was the sole n of Rose? No! There was no excuse. The whole family was involved and they will all pay dearly for it. Do they know who he is? Noah Harper of ckwood Towers! He was very pissed at the moment. It took a lot of effort for him to stay calm in the police station. He didn¡¯t want to show his anger because he knew he might murder someone. He hated being challenged. The Grant family has bitten more than they can chew. First was Emily, she nearly defamed him and she still sent him divorce papers when the contract was still valid. He hadn¡¯t even forgiven her or found her to punish her and her family had started ying funny games. His heart was filled with anger. He needed to vent it out. Heavens save the unfortunate person to taste his wrath.


    ¡°Arrrrggghhh!¡± he yelled in anger and his hands came crashing on his steering wheel.


    He thought of going to their house at the moment to deal with them but he thought against it. He might do something stupid. He needed to calm down before things went out of hand. His eyes were brewing fire and his muscles tightened. He took a deep breath and turned on the ignition. The burial ground was the answer and only remedy.


    In the private burial ground, Noah crouched in front of his mother¡¯s grave. He traced his hand on her tombstone and sighed heavily. He hade without flowers that day. He was too angry to go to a florist¡¯s. The life Rose flower he brought to her tomb previously had withered. He plucked from their family garden thest time he was there. He picked it up and pulled out the falling petals.


    ¡°I will get another, mum.¡±


    He spent some time there and when he felt he was calm enough, he started homeward.


    Noah looked up to the sky. It was bright. The weather was clement. He thought of going home to their garden. His father wouldn¡¯t be home by that time. He would spend some time there and be gone before his father returned. He drove home quietly with loud music ring from the car stereo.


    He drove into their familypound and parked his car. He walked slowly to the garden and sat down in his favourite spot. Many years ago, when he was a kid, he always sat there with his mother looking at the beautiful flowers and nts.


    The garden was still as beautiful as it was in the past years. That was the only thing his father maintained for his  mother till date. Maybe because he liked the garden as well.


    The sun washed the garden with a golden glow. The sun rays hit the garden pond and the frogs glistened like mini moons. Past the pond was a green meadow. At the end of the garden, there was a small groove of trees with colourful flowers which added colour and life to the garden.


    Noah loved spring in the garden so much. The grasses always seemed to whisper in the spring. He remembered those days as a child when spring brought the sounds of cooing pigeons in the garden and bunnies bounced through the garden like frogs with fur. Buds began to flower on the trees and there was a baked apple smell in the air; the smell of nts growing. He didn¡¯t missing out to the garden every morning to see the bunnies and pigeons.


    He also recalled a bright morning as a twelve year old boy. His mother had called him out to look at the garden. They sat on the bench watching the sun slowly rise. At first, the rays weren¡¯t brilliant. Then it¡¯s full splendour revealed itself and soaked the garden with the effulgence of its smile.


    ¡°Wow! Mum, this is so beautiful. We need toe out every morning to see more of this. Let me call daddy. He needs to see this.¡± He stood up to go and get his Dad. Their attention was attracted by a song bird which broke into a song, interrupting the silence of the morning. It was a wee intrusion and the silence it disrupted wasn¡¯t unpleasant in any way.


    The garden gave them the bliss, air and atmosphere they needed and so they made sure to nt the kind of flowers and nts that did the same for the nts, flowers and nature.


    He got up from the bench and took a stroll around the garden. Some of the flowers and shrubs he nted with his mum were still surviving. He plucked a flower from one of them and smelt it. The smell was lovely. He closed his eyes and inhaled the pleasant and sweet smelling flowers for a while. As a child, it used to be a regr routine in the family to go to the garden in the evening during the weekends. They yed in the gardenughing hysterically. They often swam in the river that flowed across the garden. They were a perfect description of a happy family.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    The memories brought joy, anger and grief to his heart and he hated his father all the more for destroying their happy family and those happy moments. For the umpteenth time, he wished he hadn¡¯t suggested the outing that led to his mother¡¯s untimely death.

 Chapter 44

    He nced at his expensive wrist watch. There was still more time before his father came home. He continued his stroll and stopped in front of the pond. He admired it for a while and moved to the green meadows.


    ¡°The Meadows where we y,¡± he mummered and smiled.


    He used to be a yful little boy. Once, he had yed for straight six hours with his friend Jessy in the meadows. They climbed all the trees in the garden, swam in the river, yed with the frogs and the bunnies. They even uprooted a beautiful nt which earned them a great shout from his mother and she sent them out of the garden in anger. That brought the y to an end. Shd however forgave them when they apologized and gave them pizza to eat!


    ¡°Hahaha,¡± heughed at the memory.


    He looked at a tree close by and saw a funny drawing on it. He had made it with Jessy and Mabel. He took a deep breath and continued walking. When he was done looking at and admiring the river, he walked back to the bench. On his way back, he plucked his mum a rose flower to send to her grave. He sat down once again on the bench and admired the garden from his position.


    After some time, he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned and saw his mum seating beside him on the bench. The exact ce she used to seat when she was alive. She smiled sweetly at him and called,


    ¡°L.¡±


    L was her pet name for him. Noah smiled back and hugged his mother tightly.


    ¡°Mum, how did you get in here?¡±


    ¡°Through the gates. I came to see the garden just like you did. It¡¯s lovely, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes mum. It is.¡±


    ¡°Just like the past years, L.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I am sorry I left you early.¡±


    ¡°Mum, I miss you,¡± Noah cried tears falling slowly down his face.


    She smiled.


    ¡°Look how grown you are now. The achievements you have made. I am proud of you.¡±


    She held his hand and squeezed them gently. No other word was exchanged. They just enjoyed each other¡¯spany in silence, holding hands while seated on the bench.


    Someone tapped him again on his shoulder and his eyes flew open. He looked beside him and the bench was empty. No one was holding his hands but the tears had actually fallen down his face. It was all a dream. He had cried from the dream world into reality. He missed his mum so much. The person tapped him again on the shoulder. He turned and saw his father.


    Had he slept for a long time? He didn¡¯t even mean to sleep. He took a discreet nce at his wrist watch. He had slept for three hours!


    ¡°Good evening dad.¡±


    His father studied him for a while and said nothing. He simply moved to seat beside him.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°You are crying,¡± he pointed out. Noah fumbled in his pockets for his handkerchief. His father was faster. He handed him a handkerchief. Noah stared at him, wondering why he was offering him a handkerchief. Their rtionship didn¡¯t permit that. His father surprised him further by helping him wipe his tears. He was too stunned to utter a word. He just sat there like amb and watched his father  treat him like a baby. When he was done, he inhaled sharply and asked,


    ¡°Why did youe home?¡±


    When Noah didn¡¯t say anything, his father continued.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t enter the house.¡±


    When Mr Joshua drove in, he noticed Noah¡¯s car in the garage. He was surprised because Noah never came home until he sent for him. Other times he came to see him for one reason or the other, he always came when he was around. Noah knew his father¡¯s schedule very well. He entered the house and found out that his son didn¡¯te into the house. He came out and asked the servants where he was. They didn¡¯t have any idea where he had gone but they knew he was still in thepound. Mr Joshua guessed where he could be and he wasn¡¯t disappointed. He was in the garden, sleeping on the bench just where he had expected him to be, although he didn¡¯t expect to see him sleeping.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I didn¡¯te to the house. I only came to visit the garden.¡±


    ¡°And the flower in your hand?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±  He wanted to tell him what it was for but he changed his mind.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t bother you.¡±


    He dropped the flower on the bench and noticed the blood on his hand. The thorns had pricked him while he was asleep.


    ¡°Go in and treat your cut.¡±


    Noah took out his handkerchief and wiped the blood from his fingers. He turned and faced his father.


    ¡°Why are you suddenly being nice?¡±


    ¡°I have always been nice to you, Noah.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡±


    ¡°It is son. You have just failed to see that because you refused to. You keep drifting farther and farther and it ails my heart. You are my only child.¡±


    There was silence for a minute and it seemed they both pondered on the words and let it sink in.


    ¡°We used to be closer, Noah. Very close. We yed in the garden, went on a ride together, had so much fun, and I had the best son in you. Everything changed when you turned fourteen. You distanced yourself from me.¡±


    ¡°That was after my mother died.¡±


    ¡°And why did her death have to ruin our family?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because there are things you are not telling me. My mum was pregnant before she died and she was almost due to give birth. What happened to that child?¡±


    ¡°Noah, I have told you times without number that the child died.¡±


    ¡°I know that isn¡¯t true. I don¡¯t believe you. There is something you are hiding.¡±


    ¡°Damn! What is wrong with this boy? Can¡¯t he bury this topic? Every time we talk about this he believes something is fishy.¡±

 Chapter 45

    Noah waited for his father to talk but the man was in a world of his own. He was thinking.


    ¡°Noah,¡± he finally called.


    ¡°Dad.¡±


    ¡°I am not hiding anything from you.¡±


    ¡°Then why have you denied me ess to mum¡¯s records?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not necessary to reopen old wounds. Reviewing your mum¡¯s records will only hurt you and bring back memories of her demise.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°I am notining. It would hurt me even more if I don¡¯t get the records.¡±


    ¡°And what has that got to do with our rtionship? Why is it severed?¡±


    ¡°Because you murdered mum!¡± he screamed within.


    There was an ufortable silence that lingered for two minutes. Noah stood up to leave.


    ¡°What can I do to please you? What can I do to cement our rtionship? Your mother wouldn¡¯t be happy to find out that the bliss and peace left her family after she died.¡±


    Noah stopped in his tracks and listened to what his father had to say. Mr Joshua loved his only son, Noah more than anything in the world. He would do anything to please him but Noah didn¡¯t want him anymore. It gave him sleepless nights and he thought of what to do to make things right. But each meeting with his son never ended well. It was always Noah provoking him and finally walking out on him without looking back.


    Noah turned around and faced his father, looking directly at him.


    ¡°Hand me my mother¡¯s hospital records. Release them to me. I want to see them.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I will do that for you.¡±


    Noah raised a brow. It didn¡¯t feel right for him to agree instantly.


    ¡°I want them as they are. They shouldn¡¯t be falsified. No shady deals or alterations.¡±


    ¡°Noah.¡±


    ¡°Yes Dad.¡±


    ¡°Do you have respect for me at all? Have you lost your respect?¡±


    ¡°Not at all, dad.¡±


    ¡°Listen to yourself again when you talk to me. What makes you think you haven¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t because I respected your wish and left mum¡¯s records as you instructed. If I had no respect for you, I would have challenged you to a fight and will not stop until I have my way. But I didn¡¯t. Again, I always honour all your invitations to this house. I stay out of your way and do nothing to tarnish your image.¡±


    Naoh was just like his father. He was as stubborn as his father and as dogged as his mother. His mother stopped at nothing to get what she wanted if she  believed it was right. His father was very stubborn and powerful in the business world.


    ¡°Yet, you use me of falsifying your mum¡¯s records.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I will release them to you tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡°Happy now?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better.¡±


    The news of Rose¡¯s arrest and imprisonment got into the ears of her parents. They were grieving for their favourite daughter. What hurt them most was that there was nothing they could do to save her. She was imprisoned ording to the instructions of the most powerful CEO in the country. They only heard that she offended the first master but the offence wasn¡¯t disclosed.


    ¡°What has she done? I¡¯m sure she did nothing wrong. Oh! My dear child,¡± Olivia cried.


    ¡°Williams, we need to go and see our child. Let¡¯s know what happened and how to bring her out. She can¡¯t spend a night there.¡±


    ¡°I hope she hasn¡¯t offended the first master. We might as well be in for more trouble. He can ruin our family. It will take him nothing to do that.¡±


    ¡°I knew that was his n all along. When he started buying shares, you kept mute. He took over thepany and you were still dumb. Why won¡¯t he go further? Tell me, why?¡±


    ¡°What did you expect me to do? Are you the only one who doesn¡¯t know how grievous a sin it is to offend President Harper? How could I have fought back?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and see our daughter first.¡±


    They weren¡¯t allowed to see their daughter. Noah had given strict instructions that no visitors should be allowed to see them. Olivia was furious.


    Who does he think he is? Why can¡¯t she see her daughter?


    ¡°Call him! I need to see my daughter right now.¡± Olivia blurted out.


    The policemen looked at her like she was insane.


    Call President Noah?


    ¡°I said I want to see my daughter. I will not leave without that.¡±


    Williams was however calmer.


    ¡°Gentlemen, can you at least tell us what she did?¡±


    ¡°She and some others connived to drug the President and make him sign a document.¡±


    ¡°No! That can¡¯t be true. I want to see her.¡±


    One of the policemen went inside and reported to the officer in charge. He called President Noah. He had ordered him to contact him once any of the perpetrator¡¯s family called.


    ¡°Alright. Let them go ahead and see them.¡±


    The officer in charge passed the instruction to his subordinate.


    The Grants were eventually led into the visiting room and Rose was brought out. Her mother hugged her.


    ¡°What happened? How did you get here?¡± Williams asked.


    ¡°Dad, I was only taking what was rightfully ours.¡±


    ¡°Speak in clear terms. What happened?¡±


    ¡°I only got a few people to help me reim ourpany from President Harper and we were imprisoned. I mean, who gets punished for fighting for their rights? He¡¯s abusing power.¡±


    ¡°What? You challenged President Harper? Have you gone nuts?¡±


    ¡°I did nothing wrong father. We would not watch him take ourpany. It is ours and will remain so. You kept quiet and watched him take it. I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Enough, Williams. Don¡¯t yell at her. She did nothing wrong. You will give us the detailster. What matters now is how to get you out.¡±


    Olivia wanted to say a lot more. She wanted to say how much of a jerk Noah was but there was a policeman there to monitor the visitation.


    Noah opened his eyes and everything seemed blurry. He looked around the room and sat up immediately. Where was he?

 Chapter 46

    His eyes got ustomed to the room and the dim light for it waste in the evening. He was in one of the bedrooms in his father¡¯s house. How did he get there? He only remembered having lunch and that was all. There was a knock on the door and his father entered with a man. The man was dressed like a doctor. Noah recognized him as their family doctor, Doctor Alex.


    ¡°I hope you are feeling better,¡± said the doctor.


    Feeling better? How? Was he ever sick or weak? His father saw his puzzled expression and came to his rescue.


    ¡°You passed out after lunch. The doctor said you are stressed physically and mentally. You need to have maximum rest,¡± he exined.


    ¡°Do you feel pain anywhere, President Noah?¡±


    Noah shook his head in negative.


    ¡°All right. I have prescribed some drugs for you. Please, ensure that you take enough rest to avoidplications. I will take my leave now, Sir.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, Dr,¡± Joshua thanked. The doctor bowed and went out.


    ¡°Thank goodness you agreed to stay for lunch. I wonder what could have happened on the road.¡±


    ¡°I suggest you take some time off work. You are probably working too hard.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t a lie. He had worked so hard in the past few weeks to keep up his schedule. Business, sales and deals were on the increase and he had to supervise them and sign necessary documents. Also, he was working on a new project that he hoped to bring the greatest revenue ever to ckwood Towers. He was also thinking of how best to find out about his sister. Indeed, the past five weeks had been hectic but he had kept pushing nevertheless. He had been alright till that afternoon and his body had showed no signs of over stress. He was going to take sometime off as his father suggested.


    ¡°I will dad. Thank you,¡± he replied standing up.


    ¡°Where to?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving. I¡¯m going home.¡±


    ¡°You just heard Dr. Alex ask you to rest.¡±


    ¡°I did. I will rest at home.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you drive like this. Rest more. I will assign you a driver to take you home tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m okay. I can go¡­.¡±


    ¡°Good night son,¡± his father replied and left the room, closing the door behind him.


    Maybe he actually needed some rest. Hey back on the bed and picked his phone from the bedside table. He had missed three calls from Benny, two from a business partner and he had a text from Benny. Since he left the house that morning, he hadn¡¯t paid attention to his phone. He had been too angry in the morning and too engrossed in the memories the garden broughtter on.


    ¡°Baby, can we go for a dinner date today?¡±


    Benny¡¯s text read. He looked at the clock and sighed. It was past time.


    He was drifting away from Benny of recent. Maybe he would heed the doctor¡¯s advice and take some rest. He would take a week off work and spend time with Benny. He left the room and headed to his. He would need a book to pass time before he slept because of his insomnia.


    The days that followed were spent with Benny or seated in silence and enjoying solitude. He was really taking his rest seriously. It was during one of these outings with Benny that the press captured the news. It made news headlines and many people tried to guess who she was. A lot of people  believed her to be lucky. The gay CEO never moved about with a woman in the public. The news articles said there were possibilities that she was his fianc¨¦e. Reading these articles about her made her happy. Now, everyone would know she wasn¡¯t in the same level with them. She wanted Noah to affirm to the press that she was actually his fianc¨¦e.


    Noah was seated in the balcony drowning in the silence. The silence of his presence. It was dead quiet save for the tune of the guitar he was ying. It was a very nice tune and he was such a fine yer.


    Benny had always wondered why he loved solitude. He lived alone and his household servants came during the day and left in the evening.


    ¡°I love the silence. It¡¯s bliss. I don¡¯t want people intruding my private space or meddling in my affairs. That¡¯s why I love my house this way,¡± he had answered when she brought up the topic. The second time she tried talking to him about it, he waved the topic off.


    ¡°Hello, Noah!¡±


    Naoh stopped ying and put down the guitar. He hugged her and brought her to sit on hisps and gave her a light kiss on the lips.


    ¡°How are you?¡±


    ¡°I am fine. And you?¡±


    ¡°Very well too, dear. I wasn¡¯t expecting you.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to surprise you.¡±


    ¡°Ohh! And that you did.¡±


    They talked for a few minutes before Benny went to the business of the day.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°What are you going to say about the news?¡±


    ¡°What news?¡±


    ¡°About us. The news the press has published.¡±


    ¡°Well, nothing. I have nothing to say.¡±


    ¡°Really, nothing?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Let them publish what they like.¡±


    Benny was troubled. He didn¡¯t even want to tell the press the truth. He didn¡¯t want to bring her to light as his fianc¨¦e.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you want to go public about us?¡±


    ¡°Go public? What¡¯s the need?¡±


    Benny got up from hisps when she heard that.


    ¡°Are you kidding? What¡¯s the need? Noah, do you just want to humiliate me because I had a one night stand with you? If you didn¡¯t want me, why did you look for me? Was it just your ring you wanted? Fine, I will go and bring it for you and stay out of your life.¡±


    ¡°Can you calm down? For starters, I have no intentions of humiliating you. Most importantly, it¡¯s you I want, not the ring. I looked for you for those four years because I wanted you and I still do.¡±


    ¡°Then why can¡¯t you rify issues and state my position in your life?¡±

 Chapter 47

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it better to announce it as a wedding?¡±


    Benny¡¯s face lit at that time.


    ¡°A wedding?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You decided to have your wedding dress customised and till date, you haven¡¯t made a choice.¡±


    ¡°I will, soon.¡±


    ¡°A designer will be hired by Donmack designers to make you a wedding dress. I hope you will like it this time.¡±


    ¡°Surely, I  will. Thank you baby.¡±


    Tessy and Jayden¡¯s wedding was to be held in two days. She would see Tessy¡¯s wedding dress and then choose something much better and prettier.


    Grace Shields saw the news and was troubled. Was Benny the reason for Noah¡¯s inattentiveness? She wasn¡¯t going to let her man slip into another woman¡¯s arms. It was time to act.


    She monitored them and went to the restaurant with them.  She wasn¡¯t a nobody. She couldfortably afford the meals in that restaurant. She sat in a corner a few paces away from them and ordered lunch while waiting for the right time to strike.


    Benny sat down pressing her phone. The pictures of Tessy and Jayden¡¯s wedding were all over the inte. She observed and studied the wedding dress closely. She recalled that Donmack had once given her a design that looked like it. She was d she had rejected it. She wanted to dress better and do everything better than Tessy. Now she had seen Tessy¡¯s attire, she would have no reason to reject the design of the specialist. There was no doubt the fashion designer would make a difference.


    President Naoh and Benny were served and they ate lunch smiling at each other like two love birds. Grace arranged her clothes and straightened up. She put on a bright smile and carried her food towards them.


    ¡°Hello, Noah!¡± she greeted, attracting his attention. He saw her and his facial expression turned sour. Grace¡¯s greeting didn¡¯t fail to catch Benny¡¯s attention too.  She called him ¡°Noah.¡± Everyone around him attached  President to his name, including his few friends. He kept no female friend and Grace¡¯s presence got her alert. She studied Noah¡¯s reactions closely.


    ¡°Can I join you guys, Noah?¡± she parroted, caring less about his anger. She didn¡¯t wait for his response. She ced her food on the table and pulled out a seat.


    She turned to Benny and said,


    ¡°Hello! I¡¯m Grace. May I know you?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Benny.¡±


    ¡°Benny. Nice to meet you,¡± she stretched her hands for a handshake and Benny obliged.


    ¡°Noah here is my very good friend. Aren¡¯t you, Naoh?¡± she rambled on.


    This bastard. She was rendering him speechless with herments. He hadn¡¯t been able to digest the fact that she interrupted his meal and sat down without his permission; yet, here she was introducing him as a very good friend. Was she insane?


    ¡°What is it?¡± he asked when he finally found his tongue.


    ¡°Common, is that how you treat me after all these years?¡±


    She stretched her hands and yfully tugged his chin. He caught her hands and pushed them towards her.


    ¡°Grace, get up and go to another vacant table.¡±


    ¡°Why? I am not disturbing you. It¡¯s been a while. It¡¯s so good to see you.¡±


    ¡°I know. Move to another table. I don¡¯t want to have lunch with you.¡±


    ¡°Oh. I get that. You are too much of a gentleman. Bon appetit,¡± she finished and shed him a smile. She picked up her cutlery and started eating.


    Benny was speechless all along. She calmly watched the unfolding drama. Who was this Grace?


    Grace on her own sat still and enjoyed her meal caring less of his anger. She knew him too well to know that he would be a gentleman in public even in the heat of his anger.


    The following day, Noah was seated in his living room watching television when his phone rang. It wasn¡¯t a saved contact but he went ahead and took the call.


    ¡°Good morning, dear,¡± the caller greeted.


    ¡°Who?¡± Noah asked. The caller ignored his question and went ahead to say,


    ¡°You haven¡¯t changed your number all these years. It simply shows and means you have expected my call for so long. I am just sorry it took this long.¡±


    It was Grace. Her voice, tone and what she said gave her away. He didn¡¯t need to ask who it was again.


    ¡°Hey! Listen Grace. I ignored what you did in the restaurant because it was a public ce. The next time something like that happens, I will not care where it is.¡±


    ¡°Are you threatening me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t force me to take rash actions and give you the punishment you deserve. Stay away from me or I will put you in your ce. The ball is in your court.¡±


    ¡°Noah?¡± she called, trying to be coquettish.


    ¡°How can I stay away from you? We can work things out again, babe.¡±


    ¡°I will say it one more time. Know your ce,¡± and he hung up.


    That same day, Benny, who had been worried about Grace¡¯s presence in the restaurant, came to see him at home. He was still watching television when she entered. He was quick to notice her unease.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡±


    Benny walked closer and stood in front of him and looked him straight in the eye.


    ¡°Who was that girl at the restaurant?¡±


    ¡°Oh! Is that why you are pulling this face? She¡¯s no one.¡±


    ¡°But she was fawning all over you and even called you by your name.¡±


    ¡°I know. Now, I am telling you she¡¯s no one.¡±


    ¡°You are cheating on me,¡± she used.


    What nonsense. How could she say that? Even if he wanted to cheat, why would it be with Grace? That¡¯s highly ignoble. He didn¡¯t want to further the discussion. He hated to hear anything of Grace. He returned his focus to the television.


    ¡°Who is Grace?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever mention that name around me.¡±


    ¡°And why is that? Tell me, who¡¯s Grace?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t repeat myself,¡± he answered in the coldest voice she had ever heard. His answers confirmed her fears. Was he cheating? Does he have ns to ditch her? He was hiding something. But what was it?

 Chapter 48

    Now that she knew who the other woman in the picture was, it was time to pay her a visit. Yes. It was time to pay Benny Jones a visit. She needed to inform her that Noah belongs to no other person but her.


    Benny alighted from her car with an air of importance. She was a junior worker at her ce of work yet she drove one of the best cars in town. All thanks to Naoh. Her colleagues gossiped about her but she wasn¡¯t bothered. She knew she was going to leave thepany in a matter of time. She was only there temporarily till Noah married her.


    She walked like a queen towards thepany. She felt a soft tap on her shoulder and she turned spontaneously. She came face to face with Grace.


    Goodness! This girl again. She had given her sleepless nights and she felt like strangling her at the moment. She kept calm and watched what would happen. She needed to know her rtionship with Noah. She didn¡¯t want to be inpetition with anyone. From the look of things, she might be ying the second fiddle.


    ¡°Good morning,¡± she greeted.


    ¡°Good morning to you too. I¡¯m sure you remember me, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Grace.¡±


    ¡°I want to speak to you for a while.¡±


    Some of the employeesing into thepany stopped and stared. Grace was dressed like a woman of high ss and they all wanted to see what would happen. After all, they all knew Benny had something up her sleeves. Firstly, she was a new employee, a junior worker and yet, she drove one of the finest cars. She has also been seen moving around with the high and mighty President Noah. Now, it was this high ss girl. They didn¡¯t want to miss getting the first hand gist.


    ¡°Emmn, I have work to do. It¡¯s working hours.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Wow, you work here? You aren¡¯t even a manager? Or a senior staff member? What lowly position you must have to be running along at this time. Isn¡¯t it too early?¡± Grace mocked checking the time on her wrist watch.


    ¡°Oh! I forgot this is the time people of your ss go to work. Why don¡¯t you stick to your level and people who are in your league?¡± Grace continued.


    Benny got angry andnded a p on Grace¡¯s face.


    The onlookers gasped and murmurs of ¡°Ahhh!¡± ¡°Oh my gosh!¡± rent the air.


    Grace held her burning cheeks in shock. She didn¡¯t imagine even in her wildest dreams that someone would darey a finger on her. Before she coulde to terms and process what happened, Benny walked out on her and went into thepany.


    Grace wished for nothing more but for the ground to open and swallow her. She would bebelled a weakling by everyone. She was just hit and she let the person go without doing anything. Entering into thepany to cause trouble will only be embarrassing herself. Benny must pay for this humiliation.


    Grace had spoilt her morning. She had woken up bothered because Grace¡¯s issue had given her sleepless nights. As if her memory wasn¡¯t enough, Grace showed up in person to further ruin her day. The p she gave her was just the beginning.


    ¡°Low ss employee.¡±


    ¡°Aww. She¡¯s pondering on the words.¡±


    ¡°Or is she thinking about sticking to people of her ss or her league?¡±


    ¡°She thinks she is all high and mighty but she has to report to work like a low ss worker. That girl just gave her a perfect description.¡±


    Benny¡¯s colleagues who had been looking for every opportunity to daint her image gloated at the golden opportunity they got that morning. Benny ignored thempletely and turned on herputer. This was working hours and not time to engage in a battle of words. Moreover, she wasn¡¯t in their level, they were soon to find out.


    ¡°Hey!¡± one of them said, pushing her shoulder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to be a super woman again?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s so scared right now.¡±


    These actions andments infuriated Benny. She had to put them in their ce else they would make her aughing stock and a pushover. They only had the courage to speak to her that way because Grace had. Initially, no one had the courage to stand up to her.


    She stood up in anger and pped the girl. Everything happened at the same time. Benny pped the girl and she fell back hitting her head on the table and consequently throwing down the things on the table. Everyone but Benny gasped.


    The keyboard and three people¡¯s phones fell on the ground as well. They picked their phones and inspected them. Andrea, the girl who was pped, stood up and picked her phone too. Hers was the worst hit. The fall had damaged her screen.


    ¡°You must rece my screen, you will pay for it,¡± she yelled at Benny.


    Benny didn¡¯t want something that trivial to bother her. She only turned and said,N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Next time, you mind who you talk to and how you talk to them. Everyone is not your mate.¡±


    That brought silence in the room. It was still the same Benny, with her cold, aloof and distant attitude. They all went back to their seats in shame. Benny had carried the day.


    Grace looked up Benny on the inte and found some information about her. She was no one important. The only thing avable about her was her involvement with Noah. She was a nobody! It hurt her so much that she didn¡¯t have the chance to retaliate.


    Benny stepped out of the shopping mall and went to the underground parking lot. A car was wrongly parked making it impossible for her to drive out. The car had its rear light on meaning the driver was still inside. Benny honked her horn repeatedly but the driver didn¡¯t bulge. She came down and went to the car. She tapped on the driver¡¯s window and the driver opened the door.

 Chapter 49

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± the driver said. Benny moved back and waited for the driver to alight. The driver¡¯s leg came in sight and then she alighted totally.


    ¡°You again?¡±


    ¡°Kindly take your car out of the way. I need to drive off.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Go ahead and drive off the same way to drove in,¡± Grace retorted and entered her car.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be unreasonable. Take this metallic scrap out of here this minute.¡±


    Grace didn¡¯t move an inch. She satfortably in her car pressing her phone. Benny sighed and opened the door roughly.


    ¡°Have you gone mad?¡± Grace yelled.


    ¡°It¡¯s you that is mad, in fact you are daft.¡±


    ¡°Hey, youngdy. Listen to me carefully. I will not have you talk to me in that manner, else¡­¡±


    ¡°Else what? What will you do?¡±


    ¡°Now, I dare you to make one more nastyment and see what I will do. Earlier this morning, you put up a show and because I was taken unawares, you felt so triumphant. I am just being calm with you up to this moment because of my good rtionship with Noah. I don¡¯t know what you are to him, maybe some whore at his service. Whatever it is, you should know you stand no chance in the life of such a dignified man for I, Grace Shields is back,¡± Grace saidughing mockingly.


    ¡°Move back and shut my door, you good for nothing, shameless whore.¡±


    Benny charged at her in anger but she had anticipated the move. She held her hands in the air and said,


    ¡°Easy baby girl. You need not pour out your frustration on me. I don¡¯t want to hit you because I can¡¯t soil my pretty hands. I mean, look at my well manicured nails. Jeezzzz. Why will I ruin them on your rough face? And why will I stoop so low to engage in a squabble with a cheap prostitute who doesn¡¯t know her ce? Get lost,¡± she finished and shoved her so hard. Benny staggered and almost fell to the ground but for the timely intervention of a young man. He happened to be walking towards the car when Benny came staggering almost hitting the floor. He hugged her to himself, saving her from the fall. Benny couldn¡¯t be more grateful. She thanked him profusely, he saved her from a great embarrassment.


    ¡°Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You are wee. You should be more careful.¡±


    ¡°I will. Thank you once again.¡±


    She was still in his arms taking in the scent of his male cologne. This man was well built and had the most beautiful green eyes she had evere across. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes off.


    Two seconds passed and she was still in his arms. He wondered why she hadn¡¯t stepped out. He wasn¡¯t that surprised though. He was used to such reactions from thedies. A lot of them drool at his sight and seem they can¡¯t take his eyes off him.


    ¡°Emm¡­ I need to get going.¡±


    Benny came back to reality, her face flushed red in embarrassment. She broke loose from his embrace and straightened her short dress.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she apologised and walked back to her car without looking back.


    From her side mirror, she saw it all clearly. She was fuming and waiting for the ¡®saviour¡¯ toe. He was an old friend who hade shopping with her. He continued his walk and stopped at the door. He tapped on her window and she wound down the ss. Her anger was visible on her face.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°What were you doing with her?¡±


    ¡°Common Grace. Don¡¯t be ridiculous. She nearly fell and I saved her. That¡¯s all. She nearly had an ident and I saved her, else, we might be on our way to the hospital trying to save an ident victim.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the problem with you. Why did you save her? You could have just let her smash that thick skull of hers on this floor.¡±


    ¡°Damn! Grace. Don¡¯t be cruel. Why are you even wishing her evil? Or, don¡¯t tell me it was you that pushed her.¡±


    Grace kept mute and rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Oh my God! Grace! How could you be so callous? I know you think you know your way around here, since it¡¯s your home country, but trust me, a lot has happened and things have changed since you werest home. Just be calm and do what you came here for. I don¡¯t want you returning to China as an ex convict. Now, be a good girl ande down. Or, just move to the next seat. I¡¯m driving.¡±


    Grace moved to the passengers seat speechlessly. The man got in and turned the ignition.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Don¡¯t feel bad. I¡¯m just concerned about you. I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t talk again if that¡¯s what you want,¡± he apologized, hugging her. She cheered up a bit and he drove off.


    Benny seated in her own car, finally saw room to drive off. She was sorry that she got carried away in that man¡¯s arms. She took short, steady breaths to keep calm and then she turned her car towards the road.


    Bennyy on her bed eating chips and watching television. She was staring at the television but her mind was elsewhere. It didn¡¯t matter to her that it was her favourite TV show. She thought of how she got to her present position as Noah¡¯s fianc¨¦e. Any careless move will make her lose out on everything. The fact that Noah was doing nothing about Grace and telling her nothing about Grace worried her to a fault. An idea urred to her and she implemented it immediately. She had her bath and got dressed in a sexy outfit, wearing her sweetest smelling perfume. They smelt like flowers and she knew Noah loved the smell of flowers very much.


    She met him in his study crouched over a file. After the necessary pleasantries, hugs and kisses, she decided to ask her question.


    ¡°Baby, please, tell me, who¡¯s Grace?¡±

 Chapter 50

    Her hands which were massaging his shoulders noticed the change. His body stiffened at her question. He continued reading his documentpletely ignoring her question. She was determined to get an answer, and an explicit one too. She wasn¡¯t leaving without getting one. She continued massaging his shoulders for two minutes, yet no response. She tried another method. She turned his face gently and kissed him. The kiss was very brief. Something was off. The kiss felt empty too. No emotions, no love, no connection, nothing. He picked his pen and went back to his writing.


    Did he ignore a romantic moment with her because of that girl?


    ¡°Baby, that was too brief,¡± sheined, leaning in for another kiss. He rejected her totally. That sent warning signals to her brain.


    ¡°Baby, it¡¯s because of her right? Who¡¯s she? What¡¯s my position in your life then? Who is Grace Shields?¡±


    Noah¡¯s pen fell from his hand and he stood up in anger.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Get out!¡±


    ¡°Babe?¡±


    ¡°I said get out of my study! In fact, get out of the house. Out!¡±


    Benny stood still in shock. Was he really asking her to leave?


    ¡°Get out or I will get the security to throw you out! Be gone this instant.¡±


    Benny left the room trying hard to prevent the tears from falling. They welled up in her eyes threatening to fall at any time. She would stay still and cry a river once she got to her car.


    Noah on his own part was burning with rage. Benny has broken the firstw in his life.


    ¡°No mention of Grace Shields.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t stand her name. He sat down and tried to concentrate but he couldn¡¯t. He took off his shirt, revealing a broad chest and arbs. He went into his bathroom.


    For the next thirty minutes, nothing was heard but the sound of water in the shower. Shivering and naked, Noah let the cold water drip on his body. The shower water hit his body in the right ways, steady, calm and soothing. He felt his pulse rise as the water dripped from his hair to other parts of his body. He ran his hand over the beautiful tatoo on his shoulder. He wished he could spend more time in the shower, enjoying thefort it offered but the day awaits and his work was undone. He was still working to set up a new business, probably the first of its kind in the country. It was going to generate higher revenue for ckwood Towers.


    Ten more minutes passed before he turned off the shower. He wrapped himself in his big towel and came out of the bathroom. His dripping wet hair helped to entuate his beauty making him look more handsome than ever. Still wrapped in his towel, heid on the bed and drifted off to sleep.


    The house was thrown into a wild excitement. Emily organised a mini house party for the three of them to celebrate her sess. She was a very rich high ssdy now. She could afford anything she wanted. She was twenty five million Yuan richer than she was a week ago! The loud ring music didn¡¯t prevent her from hearing her phone beep. She took the phone and checked the notification.


    ¡°Is there a problem, mummy?¡± Liam asked attracting Gu Yanxi¡¯s attention to Emily.


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    ¡°You sure, Emily?¡±


    ¡°Very,¡± she answered and dropped her phone.


    They danced,ughed, yed and ate all evening. Soon, Liam fell asleep on the sofa. Emily took him inside andid him on the bed.


    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe I havee this far.¡±


    ¡°You better believe it. It¡¯s reality.¡±


    ¡°I mean, shback to five years ago. With my pregnancy, in a strangend, not knowing my way around and all that. I even started as a mere cleaner, but look at me today¡­¡±


    ¡°You deserve it, Emily. I¡¯m happy for you. It¡¯s quite unbelievable though. Someone would think you had high backgrounds and high connections. To be honest Emily, you are amazing. It¡¯s really surprising how you did it but girl, you did it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Yanxi, thank you for everything. Taking me in, helping me rediscover myself, encouraging me, ahh! Just thank you¡­¡± She broke down in tears and Gu Yanxi held her close, consoling her.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me. You did more for me too. You and I know I can¡¯t even begin to list the things you have done for me. Remember, how we first met, my job was all thanks to you and my position at the office today, it¡¯s still you. Should I talk about the¡­. Let¡¯s not talk about all that. I¡¯m indebted to you, Emily.¡±


    They held each other closely and warmly, each person¡¯s heart, whispering words of thanks, gratitude and appreciation to the other with every heartbeat.


    ¡°Sir, she declined the offer.¡±


    ¡°Double the amount. We can¡¯t lose her.¡±


    ¡°Okay sir.¡±


    Twenty minutester, the man returned to the office again.


    ¡°Sir, she turned us down again.¡±


    ¡°Make it fifteen million dors.¡±


    ¡°Alright sir.¡±


    Donmack designers were doing their best to get Emily to work with them. They offered fifteen million dors and she rejected the offer. It wasn¡¯t because the money was too small. It was simply because it was the USA! That was thest ce she wanted to step foot in.


    She was showing some designs to Gu Yanxi on her phone when an email came in. She opened it and her expression changed.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    She took a deep breath and answered,


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing important. Let¡¯s continue.¡±


    ¡°No, tell me. I don¡¯t like the way your face changed. What happened?¡±


    Emily gave the phone to her and she read the mail.


    ¡°Oh my goodness! This is great news. Twenty million dors! Wow.¡±


    Emily looked at her like she was a lunatic. Realising she was the only one celebrating, she was forced to ask questions.


    ¡°Why? Why aren¡¯t you happy? This is a lifetime offer. Do you think the money is too small? You could negotiate prices with them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about the price. It¡¯s high enough. Yanxi, it¡¯s the USA!¡±

 Chapter 51

    ¡°So? It¡¯s the USA and so? Emily, you don¡¯t mean this, do you?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? I can¡¯t go to the United States. You know that too well. It¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°Listen my dear. Stop all these it¡¯s United States. You need to stop it. Can¡¯t you put all these behind you? It¡¯s been five years. You haven¡¯t let go. This is a life time offer and I won¡¯t sit still and watch you let such offer slide for some lousy and silly reason.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do right now? Go to the United States and surrender myself to Noah Harper?¡±


    ¡°What nonsense surrender? Why do you still think he is looking for you? Take that thought off your mind. He probably doesn¡¯t know you. If he wanted to find you, since he is that powerful, he would have found you many years ago.¡±


    ¡°Noah and I had a contract marriage, in case you have forgotten. It was a two year contract and I signed that. I also promised not to do anything to tarnish his image. I sent him divorce papers after a year and half. Why won¡¯t he be mad? I have a feeling he has been looking for me all these years. Imagine he finds out I have a child out of wedlock? Common going back to United States is totally out of the n. I can¡¯t and that¡¯s final.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s say, he was and is still looking for you. Let me remind you that you are no longer the Emily you were then. Now, you are a public figure. You are a famous designer. Damn! Do you even know your worth?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about that. Noah will¡­.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I know. Noah will and Noah will not. I can guess all he will do. He will threaten fire and brimstone. Don¡¯t speak like Noah lives at the airport or he is air. He isn¡¯t all over US.¡±


    Emily took a deep breath and shook her head in negative. Gu Yanxi continued before she could say anything.


    ¡°ept this contract. Go to the USA. You are a public figure. You will not meet Noah. He has no business with your designing job. If you ever stumble on him, you need to face him. Why will you be scared of him? You have divorced him and you owe him nothing. You don¡¯t have to exin about your child.¡±


    Emily thought for a while and looked up at Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°That¡¯s true. You may be saying the truth. I just can¡¯t take chances. I am living a happy life here. I want noplications.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense. You will be happier when you face your fears and challenges. If you don¡¯t do it now, it will still linger. One day, you will have to face it. You can¡¯t run from it forever.¡±


    ¡°Yanxi. Please, it¡¯s enough. I am not talking about this with you again.¡±


    Gu Yanxi stepped forward and took Emily¡¯s phone.


    ¡°Well, there isn¡¯t any need to talk about this. Trust me, if you face this now, you will be happier. Twenty million can¡¯t be lost under my nose.¡±


    ¡°Yanxi? What are you up to?¡±


    ¡°I am epting the contract for you.¡±


    Emily stood up in a rush and nearly fell. She got her steps steady and hurried to Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°No! You can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Sadly, I have. Emily, you are going. Make up your mind about this. Get ready to travel. I will always be here for you and I wille down to USA if need be,¡± Gu Yanxi answered and walked out of the room like she did nothing out of normal. Emily stared at her in shock.


    She looked at her phone and it was no joke. Sure enough, Gu Yanxi had epted the contract.


    She recalled thest time she had listened to Gu Yanxi concerning the USA. She let Liam go for thepetition and Liam returned announcing Noah Harper as his friend.


    ¡°Why do I feel something worse will happen? Can I just be positive? Emily, calm down. You got this.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Emily thought of declining but it was going to be a dent on her image. It was degrading for a famous designer not to have strong will. She couldn¡¯t just ept an offer and decline it at the same time. She would not be trusted with big jobs next time. She took a deep breath and epted the fact sadly.


    She was going to the United States.


    Jiang city, China.


    Tuesday 7:55 am.


    Liam looked very excited to be traveling for dragon boat festival break. He was going to USA, that very beautiful city and he hoped to see his friend, Noah Harper.


    ¡°You can do this, Emily. I am and will always be here for you. If there is any problem, don¡¯t hesitate to call me.¡±


    Emily nodded and smiled warmly.


    ¡°Aunty Yanxi, will you stay all alone?¡± Liam asked in  concern.


    ¡°Yes, I will. But I will be fine. Go and make sure to have so much fun. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay Aunt Yanxi. I will miss you.¡±


    ¡°Come here,e and give me a hug.¡±


    ¡°Yanxi, please, take care of yourself. Now, you have time to have all the fun with Jessy,¡± Emily said and winked.


    ¡°Common, don¡¯t say that,¡± Gu Yanxiughed.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I? Isn¡¯t it true?¡±


    ¡°Well, Jessy travelled on a business trip.¡±


    ¡°Oh my! Where and when?¡±


    ¡°He travelled a week ago. He¡¯s travelling around. First to Germany then to some other countries that calls for his business attention.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Please, take good care of yourself.¡±


    ¡°I will. Liam, be a good boy, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay, Aunty Yanxi.¡±


    ¡°But, Yanxi, are you sure it¡¯s right for him toe?¡±


    ¡°I have never been so sure. Let him have fun. You could also find him, you know.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go Liam.¡±


    Emily turned and looked at Gu Yanxi again. Her eyes silently asking the question,


    ¡°Are you sure this is right?¡±


    Gu Yanxi smiled in response.


    She helped them take their bags to the waiting car.


    Holding Liam and  their ne tickets, they walked to the departure hall. The United States was in sight.

 Chapter 52

    Donmackpany was making arrangements to receive the new fashion designer. Their joy knew no bounds when she finally epted the contract.


    ¡°Is everything ready?¡± the manager asked his secretary.


    ¡°Yes sir. Everything is set.¡±


    ¡°I hope the hotel has been booked and they have been informed she will be arriving today? And where is the driver?¡±


    ¡°He is waiting outside sir. I made sure I supervised the booking sir. Everything is all set.¡±


    Donmackpany was doing everything within their power not to lose the fashion designer. They got her an apartment where she was going to stay for two or three weeks throughout the duration of her work.


    ¡°Nice. Tell Mr. Zade to go with the driver to pick her. She will arrive at the airport any time soon.¡±


    ¡°Alright sir.¡±


    Emily looked at her son seated beside her in the ne. His initial excitement gave way to nature and he fell asleep. Even while sleeping, he was still smiling. It seemed travelling out of China to the USA was the perfect summer holiday for him.


    A week ago, Gu Yanxi had persuaded her to take her son along.


    shback:


    Emily was seated in her room packing her clothes in readiness for the journey when Gu Yanxi came in. Her travel documents were on the bed.


    ¡°Emily,¡± she called softly.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°How long will you be away?¡±


    ¡°Emm, maybe two weeks. At most, three weeks. Is there a problem?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. I was thinking you should take Liam.¡±


    Emily studied her for a while.


    ¡°And why will you think so?¡±


    Gu Yanxi sat on the bed and held her close.


    ¡°It¡¯s summer break. Let him travel with you and enjoy his vacation. He will remember it all his life. Let him leave China on a vacation. Moreover, you need to take him to his roots. You might find his father.¡±


    ¡°Father? Common Yanxi. How am I supposed to find his father?¡±


    ¡°Somehow, you will. If you want to. One day, he will ask about his father again and you will have to tell him what he needs to know. Go to the USA with him and luck may shine on you. You might spot his father.¡±


    ¡°Find his father and what next? Hand him over to his father ande back without him? I don¡¯t want to find his father anymore. We are happy the way we are.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I will just leave. I didn¡¯t mean to upset you. But please, give it a rethink.¡±


    She did give it a rethink and decided to take him along. She didn¡¯t want to bother Gu Yanxi with his upkeep and a holiday in another country wasn¡¯t a bad idea.


    Mr. Zade and the driver waited for the fashion designer to arrive.


    A mother and son pair walked out of the arrival hall with their travelling bags. They were the centre of attention. They looked lovely and stood out in the crowd. Most people couldn¡¯t help but stare twice before going about their business.


    ¡°What a lovely boy!¡± a middle aged womanmented.


    ¡°That¡¯s probably his mum or something. She¡¯s pretty too. Such a nice family. They are adorable,¡± herpanion joined in.


    She couldn¡¯t stop herself from appreciating such beauty.


    Emily smiled when she heard that. Liam was her carbon copy. So, why not? He was very handsome. Although he had a few physical features that were not simr to hers, he looked more like her than his father. He only had his father¡¯s character, brain and probably physique. Staring at her son made here to a conclusion that his father must be a really handsome and perfect guy in all ramifications.


    ¡°Wow! Mummy, this ce is so beautiful. This wasn¡¯t the ce wended when we came for thepetition. Do they have other airports?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they do. They have so many.¡±


    ¡°Mummy, can I see them? Can you take me there whenever you are free?¡±


    ¡°Of course my baby. I will.¡±


    ¡°And other interesting ces too.¡±


    Emily didn¡¯t answer because she was looking around for the driver that was assigned to pick her.


    Meanwhile, Mr. Zade spotted her and said to the driver,


    ¡°That must be her; Butterfly designs. Let¡¯s go and find out.¡±


    ¡°Good day Miss.¡±


    ¡°Good day too.¡±


    ¡°Good afternoon Mister,¡± Liam greeted politely. Mr. Zade was impressed at the polite and respectful attitude of a little boy of that age.


    ¡°How are you boy?¡±


    ¡°I am fine sir.¡±


    ¡°Are you Miss Muxin of Butterfly Designs?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. And you are?¡±


    Mr. Zade pulled his business card out of his breast pocket and showed it to her.


    ¡°Mr. Zade, the personnel manager of Donmack designerspany. Nice to meet you. You are highly wee.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The driver took the bags from her and led the way to the car.


    Throughout the drive, Liam was looking out of the window and observing the environment. He smiled asionally in contentment. He was already enjoying the ce.


    Emily on her own part was trying to rx. She was back in the country and city she left five years ago. Her only constion was that she didn¡¯t return the same. Instead, she became a better person. She returned happier, richer, sessful and more beautiful.


    Her son was happy to be here. Little did he know that this was the city that caused his dear mother pain for twenty two years of her life. Her family probably thought she was dead or even if they considered her alive, they didn¡¯t remember her anymore.


    ¡°I am back as a different person and I must make every moment I spend here count. That joy and happiness I longed for, I will get it to the fullest now. Yanxi is right. I need to free myself from the past and be happy. I am a new Emily now,¡± she said to herself and smiled. She felt better afterwards.


    The car pulled to a halt in front of Donmack designerspany. They alighted and she discreetly studied the environment. Her eyes fell on a man standing near a car and she froze.

 Chapter 53

    It was as if blood was drained from her body. Could it be him? She looked at the building to be certain she hadn¡¯te to hispany. Sure enough, she was in Donmack designerspany. What could he be doing there?


    The man turned around and took off his sses. He nced in their direction and Mr. Zade waved at him in greeting. It was then that Emily released her breath which she didn¡¯t realise she had been holding. It wasn¡¯t who she feared it was. It was just a random employee in thepany. She heaved an inward sign of relief and went back to her discrete observation.


    Thepany was a big one from an exterior view. It was nice but she thought Ye Night¡¯spany was a bit more sophisticated than this. Liam admired the beautiful pathways and flowers nted along the walkway.


    ¡°This way Miss,¡± the driver directed.


    Liam was asked to wait at the reception while Emily followed him in. They got to the manager¡¯s office and the driver knocked. They went in when they heard a voice say, ¡°Come in.¡±


    ¡°Good day sir,¡± they greeted in unison. A full minute passed and there was no response.


    ¡°Good day sir. The fashion designer is here.¡±


    The general manager who hadn¡¯t looked at them nor uttered a word since they entered looked up from hisptop at the mention of ¡°fashion designer.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Good day. Please sit,¡± he replied politely. The driver bowed and left the office. Emily didn¡¯t need a soothsayer to tell her that the manager was a proud jerk. He had totally ignored them and only attended to them because she was the fashion designer.


    ¡°You are highly wee Miss. How was your flight? I hope you had a safe flight?¡±


    ¡°I did, sir. Thank you.¡±


    The manager sent for his secretary and instructed him to get a ss of juice for Emily which she declined politely.


    ¡°Well Miss Muxin, I believe you must be tired after a long journey. We had to bring you to thepany first for formalities. We will talk about the nature of the work and everything else tomorrow morning. That will be all for now.¡±


    ¡°Alright sir.¡±


    The manager opened his drawers and took a card.


    ¡°Miss Muxin, this is the card for your room at the hotel. The driver will take you there. Please, make yourselffortable and don¡¯t hesitate to reach out to us if there is any problem. He will also be there at 9am tomorrow to pick you up for work.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Liam sat quietly and obediently at the reception. The receptionist admired his beauty and quiet nature. Liam admired the beautiful designs on the wall. The receptionist changed the channel to a kids channel for him. He thanked her and amused himself watching the television. His mother came out of the office and they went back to the car.


    ¡°Where are we going mum?¡±


    ¡°We are going to where we will stay.¡±


    ¡°Stay? Do you have a house here already?¡±


    Sheughed.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. We¡¯ll just spend the three weeks in a hotel.¡±


    ¡°Okay mummy.¡±


    The meeting room was silent. One could hear a pin drop. Some of the employees present even held their breaths to avoid making the slightest noise. Noah studied them all for two minutes without saying anything. It only made the atmosphere tense and increased their difort. They couldn¡¯t guess what he was thinking. His expressionless face wasn¡¯t helping matters. He drank some water from the ss in front of him and sat up.


    ¡°Three months ago, I made this correction and you all bluntly failed to adhere to that instruction, that¡¯s why you have the audacity to make such mistakes again.¡±


    ¡°We are sorry sir¡­¡± they apologised but he cut them short.


    ¡°Hey! Will you all be quiet?¡± he thundered and silence returned that instant.


    ¡°Kim¡¯s Enterprise doesn¡¯t embark on certain projects. Can I see the manager?¡±


    The manager stood up and put up a brave look and approach trying to hide the fact that he was shaking like a leaf.


    Noah¡¯s eyes bore directly into his soul.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°Do you need a reminder for the purpose of Kim¡¯s Enterprise?¡±


    ¡°N.. No.. no.. sir.¡±


    ¡°See how he stammers. Is that how you handle thepany?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir.¡±


    ¡°Most of you are supposed to be shown the way out. But, I have gone through the reviews and it¡¯s good. Listen carefully all of you. ckwood Towers will embark on a new project by next month. It¡¯s going to be the only one of its kind. I am going to supervise that work myself.  Any failure on your part will not be treated with mercy. I will have to restructure a few things and I need you all to go back and review the focus of each of the subsidiary firms you handle.


    Again, those proposals you all submitted have to be revised. I won¡¯t reject them, but you will have to make a lot of adjustments. I won¡¯t make this correction again. Is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Good. You all can leave.¡±


    It was quite unusual. Noah always left the meeting room before any of them stood up. Again, he was calm and extra nice that day. They all sat still waiting for the first to move. They weren¡¯t sure they had heard him correctly.


    ¡°Have you all gone deaf?¡±


    They scrambled to their feet and hurried out of the meeting room.


    Seated in therge and empty meeting room, Noah studied the file in front of him. Everything was set in ce for this project. He had wanted to finish with his wedding before embarking on the project so that he would focus on it full time but since Benny was yet to make a choice of a wedding dress, he decided to start now.


    The next thing that urred to him was his sister. He looked at his wrist watch and saw that it was almost time for his appointment at the hospital.


    A text came into his phone. It was from his friend, Frank.


    ¡°I was just informed that the fashion designer has arrived.¡±

 Chapter 54

    Noah picked his food. He could barely eat. The documents he received from the hospital contained no news at all. He didn¡¯t know what to think.


    ¡°Did Dad alter this file? Or am I mistaken? Does he really know something or am I just assuming?¡±


    That day, he had crawled up to the window and he heard the cry of a baby. His sister! He was so happy to finally have a sister. He couldn¡¯t see her clearly and he ran away as soon as he heard footsteps approaching. But then, he heard nothing more about her. He was told that she died.


    He had refused to believe that story all those years.


    And that day, he went through the hospital file closely but everything was as he was told. His mother died while having the baby because she was too weak to push the baby and the baby died a few hourster.


    He pushed the te of food aside and grabbed an apple from the fruit tray on the table. He hade to the death end. It was crystal clear to him at this moment that he had to ept fate. His sister was dead. Or maybe, alive somewhere. He consoled himself with the fact that he tried so hard but couldn¡¯t seed. He had at least yed his part. He hoped and felt it within him that he was going to see his sister someday.


    Her first day at work was uneventful. She was only informed and told at length what was expected of her. She was given an office as well. She was going to have a sort of interview with the bride to be in order to find out her taste and choice of a wedding dress. They had scheduled a meeting the following day at a hotel.


    Emily was seated in a seat, herptop ced on the table in front of her. It waste at night but she hadn¡¯t slept. Liam was sleeping peacefully on the bed. He turned, yawned and opened his sleepy eyes.


    ¡°Mummy? You haven¡¯t slept yet?¡±


    ¡°Oh Liam. Why aren¡¯t you sleeping? Is there any problem?¡±


    ¡°No mum. I was sleeping. I just woke up and I saw you awake. Won¡¯t you sleep? Whatever it is can wait till tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I will go to bed soon, don¡¯t worry. Go back to sleep my dear.¡±


    ¡°But mummy, my teacher said we should not stay upte into the night. He said it¡¯s not healthy.¡±Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°Okay. Sleep then. Mummy will join you shortly.¡±


    ¡°Okay mummy.¡±


    Emily continued with her work. She seemed confused as she stared at the screen. After some time, she stood up and left the room.


    She returned shortly with a ss of orange juice and was surprised at what she saw. Liam was in her former position, pressing herputer. A close look at the screen showed that he had set her right. She had been trying to configure theptop but failed even after trying everything possible. She had spent three hours without achieving anything but her son just did it in a few minutes. He was only five years old!


    What Kind of IQ does he have? She knew he was very smart but she didn¡¯t expect him to even know more.


    She had also registered him for coding and decoding sses in China upon request.


    ¡°What is China turning my son into? A genius?¡± she asked herself.


    She moved closer to him and asked,


    ¡°How did you figure it out?¡±


    ¡°Let me show you. It¡¯s quite easy.¡±


    He showed her how he went about it and ended by saying,


    ¡°Very easy. It doesn¡¯t take time.¡±


    ¡°Mmm. Yeah. Thank you so much. Go to bed baby, you need rest.¡±


    ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°I am too. Good night baby.¡±


    Emily turned and looked at the little boy in shock.


    How did he know so much? Even what he said was quite easy was soplicated. She didn¡¯t understand a single thing. She just had to keep nodding her head like a lizard.


    If he knew so much at this age, what more will his father know since he inherited the man¡¯s intelligence?


    Benny sipped her juice as she waited for Emily. For some reason, she wasn¡¯t angry that the designer was a bitte. She couldn¡¯t tell why but she already loved the designer even without seeing her. She was very impressed when she heard of her skills and fame. She didn¡¯t mind having to wait for her.


    A few minutester, she turned towards the door and saw this very beautiful young woman enter the restaurant. Her beauty was dazzling and it made heads turn. A lot of people, male and female alike couldn¡¯t take their eyes off her as she walked in.


    ¡°This must be Butterfly Designs!¡± she guessed. She waved at her and she walked towards her.


    ¡°Hi, you must be the fashion designer.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you. Please sit. I¡¯m Benny.¡±


    Benny admired her alongside every other person in the restaurant. Some men even had their cocks bulging in their trousers as they imagined her under them. She was a perfect description of beauty.


    ¡°Emily. I apologise for showing upte.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she answered and smiled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get started then Miss Benny. I have seen the styles you rejected. That¡¯s why I decided to have a one on one talk with you. It¡¯s very necessary to work with the taste and preference of the customer. So, tell me, what kind of design do you want?


    ¡°I want a very ssy, beautiful, unique¡­¡± Benny then proceeded to describe the kind of design she wanted. Something that waspletely out of this world. Emily just smiled as she listened to her. She let her ramble on and when she was done, she replied her calmly,


    ¡°I will do as you said. When the draft is ready, you will see and approve it before I proceed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nice. Okay.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I have to get going,¡± Emily apologised and left.


    Benny took out her phone. She needed to tell Noah how her meeting went with the designer.


    After three rings, the call connected.

 Chapter 55

    His long and slender fingers were tapping away on the keyboard. He looked very handsome and adorable even in his corporate wear. Of course, there was a cup of coffee on the table too. His attention was distracted by the ringing of his phone. He frowned and slid his fingers across the screen to take the call.


    ¡°Hello dear. Good afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Afternoon.¡±


    Her enthusiastic greeting contrasted sharply with his cold and distant reply. She was taken aback and didn¡¯t speak. The silence lingered and no one said anything. Noah went back to his keyboard.


    ¡°Noah?¡±


    ¡°Are you still on the line? I¡¯m sorry. How are you?¡±


    ¡°Why did you sound so cold in the beginning?¡± she questioned trying to act coquettish.


    ¡°Work stress. I was busy, that¡¯s why.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Baby I met with the fashion designer.¡±


    ¡°Oh! That¡¯s true, I was informed of her arrival but it escaped my mind to let you know. How did it go?¡±


    ¡°Well, it went well. She¡¯s so easy going and I think I like her already. She said she will make a draft and send it to me. I am so sure she¡¯s the perfect person for the job. I wish she was employed earlier. We would have been married a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°I hope you will like her design this time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I will. She sounds like she¡¯s very talented and she knows what she¡¯s doing. I have this rare and total confidence in her.¡±


    ¡°Fine then. If you say so.¡±


    ¡°Please, can youe over in the evening?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I will be out in a social gathering and I have a meeting as well.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help it. I will see you when we are done. I am upied this week please.¡±


    ¡°Okay then. But¡­¡±


    ¡°I need to get back to work, Benny.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Bye dear.¡±


    ¡°Bye. Take good care of yourself.¡±


    Noah stared into space after the call ended. He didn¡¯t understand what was going on. He wasn¡¯t getting close to Benny as he had expected. He had expected that he would be all over her after waiting for four years. But the reverse was the case.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    A soft sigh escaped his lips and he went back to his work.


    Rose and her partners in crime had spent two weeks in the prison and Noah hasn¡¯t said anything about their release.


    Early that morning, Mr. Williams was preparing for work when a delivery guy came up at his door step with a mail.


    ¡°Can I see Mr. Williams Grant?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I am the one.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I have a mail for you. Sign here please.¡±


    Mr. Williams looked at mail and signed the delivery book.


    He wondered who it was from since he wasn¡¯t expecting any mail. He however decided to open the mail after breakfast.


    He tore open the mail and the first thing that caught his attention was the caption.


    ¡®ckwood Towers.¡¯


    The letter came directly from the high and mighty head office. He held the letter with trembling hands and read it.


    Noah had finally done it. He has been thrown out of thepany. Why Noah decided to make it very formal, when he could just say the word, ¡®you¡¯re fired¡¯ was beyond his understanding and it made the situation more difficult. He read the lines again, he wanted to be certain he wasn¡¯t dreaming or imagining things.


    ¡®The head office owes no one no exnation for the sack of any employee. But, yours is different. I gave you a rare privilege of remaining in thepany after I had taken over the ownership. Yet, the Grant family deemed it fit to do the unimaginable.


    On no ount should any member of the Grant family be seen in that premises. The Grant family will pay dearly for their actions. It had toe as a mail to serve as a constant reminder and for documentation purposes.¡¯


    Mr. Williams tried to process the information. Vintpany, the family business which he inherited from his father was no more. He had invested a lot, time, effort, money to take thepany higher and had lost it all. When Noah took over thepany and retained him as an employee, he believed there was a chance of getting back thepany. That day changed everything. He didn¡¯t know whose fault it was. Was it his wife and second daughter, Rose who spent so much money that thepany started going bankrupt or Emil who failed to get married to Jayden to save the family business? He looked at his suit onest  time, he was no longer an employee in his ownpany. He had lost it all and he was jobless. He felt his head spin and he passed out.


    About ten minutester, Olivia walked into the sitting room to grab a bottle of wine she left on the table. She saw her husband on the floor and rushed to him.


    ¡°Williams?¡± she screamed, shaking him. There was no sign of life in him.


    She fumbled his pocket for his car keys and drove to the hospital in a mad rush. She jumped the traffic lights and was nearly penalised by the road officials. Fortunately, he still had life in him and the medical practitionersmenced treatment. She opened the letter and read the contents. She was angry and worried at the same time. She was angry that Noah had further stripped them of their possession and worried about what would happen next. Noah had said they were going to pay and there was no two ways about it. Maybe they had already started paying since her daughter was in prison with no hope of release any time soon. The only thing was that he had allowed their family members to visit them. He was just waiting for the right time to give them a punishment that they deserved.


    The secretary to the president was on leave. He was reced temporarily by a young girl in herte twenties. She knocked on his door and said,


    ¡°President Harper, you have some visitors¡±

 Chapter 56

    Noah¡¯s face greased into a frown. The manager hadn¡¯t done his job well.


    ¡°Call me the personnel manager.¡±


    ¡°Okay sir.¡±


    ¡°Good morning President Harper,¡± the manager greeted when he showed up. Noah looked at him like he would strangle him.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you give her the required job description?¡±


    ¡°Sir¡­ sir¡­ I did. I¡­¡±


    ¡°Then why do I have to be informed of visitors without a schedule?¡±


    ¡°Forgive me sir. It¡¯s my fault sir. I didn¡¯t get that sir,¡± thedy apologised.


    ¡°One more lousy mistake and I will fire you. Get out.¡±


    Mr and Mrs Grant were informed that the president doesn¡¯t see just anyone. They had no appointment and wouldn¡¯t just walk into the office like that.


    Olivia¡¯s eyes widened when the receptionist said that. They were seated in the reception. She was a bit relieved when the receptionist gave them audience and even called the President¡¯s secretary when they arrived. She was going nowhere without seeing the President. Her daughter has to be released and the family given a second chance.


    ¡°Madam, you have to leave or I will get the security to throw you out.¡±


    ¡°I said I want to see the president,¡± she stated vehemently.


    Williams tried to make Olivia see reasons to leave but she shut him up.


    ¡°Be quiet, you good for nothing man. Do you expect me to sit still at this point? This is what you could have prevented, useless man.¡±


    ¡°Sir, Madam, please leave.¡±


    The receptionist was forced to call the security. Olivia was still trying to be stubborn.


    ¡°What is going on here?¡± a voice which was firm, loud and clear asked. Almost as a reflex action, everyone stopped as soon as they  heard the voice.


    ¡°Good morning Sir Harper.¡±


    ¡°I asked a question,¡± Mr. Joshua Harper stated firmly.


    ¡°Nothing serious sir. They aren¡¯t visitors on appointment and they have refused to go. Don¡¯t worry sir. We have it under control. The security is here already to do their job.¡±


    Mr. Joshua nodded and turned to the couple.


    ¡°And who are you?¡±


    ¡°Good morning sir. I¡¯m Williams Grant sir and she¡¯s my wife¡­¡±


    ¡°Grant?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± they both affirmed, hoping that he would help them get through to the President.


    ¡°Oh! I see,¡± he answered and walked away to their disappointment.


    The first thing that came to Mr Joshua¡¯s mind at the mention of Grant was Emily. He didn¡¯t like her and felt she was too poor and lowly for his powerful son. What have theye to do again?


    He knocked and entered when he was given permission to. Noah turned and saw his father. He wasn¡¯t expecting him. In fact, that was the first of its kind. Mr. Joshua never visited him.


    ¡°Dad? What a surprise!¡±


    ¡°What did the Grant familye to do again?¡±


    ¡°Grant? What do you mean?¡±


    Noah guessed immediately that they may be the unwanted visitors he had earlier that day. Although he was expecting them, he didn¡¯t expect them toe too soon. He would have loved to grant them audience.


    ¡°That crazy family. They  shouldn¡¯t be seen in this premises.¡±


    Naoh sent for his secretary and asked her to tell the Grant family to see him at twelve noon. His father looked at him like a lunatic.


    ¡°Are you insane? See you for what?¡±


    ¡°Dad, rx. Everything is under control. It¡¯s a surprise to see you here. Why did youe?¡±


    ¡°You are still my son. I called to check on you. You haven¡¯t picked my call in two weeks. I hope you rested as the doctor instructed?¡±


    Noahughed.


    ¡°Common Dad. Don¡¯t tell me you came all the way just to ask after me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what it is. You are my only child.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t been picking your calls Dad. I¡¯ve been busy. I did have enough rest and thank you for checking up on me.¡±


    ¡°I thought I did what you asked me for? I gave you ess to the hospital files. What more do you want? Why do you still keep your distance?¡±


    ¡°What distance, father?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. How is thepany going?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going well Dad. I¡¯m looking at embarking on a new project.¡±


    Noah watched them leave his office and smiled. They hade to plead for mercy. They couldn¡¯t afford to go bankrupt. They also pleaded for mercy on their daughter¡¯s behalf. They asked for a second chance to set all wrongs right.


    Hell no! It wasn¡¯t that easy. They were surely going to face the consequences of their actions.


    This was only the beginning. By the time he was done with them, they would realize who he was. The family was always getting on his nerves. It was him, of all people, they dared to provoke. They were yet to start their plea.


    A knock on the door brought back his attention.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    His secretary came in carrying some files. It was then that he remembered he had a very important meeting in half an hour. It wouldn¡¯t be good for his image if he showed upte. It was an international meeting with business tycoons from different countries.


    ¡°Sir, here are the files for the proposals.¡±


    Huh? Was he imagining it or was it real?


    His secretary, why was that voice different? Was she¡­


    He turned to face her squarely and sure enough, it wasn¡¯t his imagination.


    She was trying to seduce him. Her office shirt which was initially buttoned up was now opened revealing her cleavage and voluptuous breasts. She smiled seductively and inclined her body towards him.


    She mistook his silence for admiration.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Where do I drop the files sir? Should I¡­¡± she asked, moving towards him.


    Noah wanted to shun her immediately but time wasn¡¯t on his side and he was in no mood for more drama.


    ¡°Drop it on the table and leave,¡± he replied without looking up from his table. He was arranging the files on his table. He had wanted to take his secretary along for the meeting but with the act she disyed, he changed his mind.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    Noah  frowned and turned. His eyes widened at what he saw.

 Chapter 57

    Has she gone nuts?Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Lily, his secretary had further exposed her breasts, they were almost out of her clothes. Herps were also very visible. It could even be said that she was undressed in his office.  Noah was used to a lot of girls and women, including the married ones drooling at his sight. And why not? He was absolutely handsome and rich at the same time. But he wouldn¡¯t tolerate anyoneing into his office to seduce him. He didn¡¯t care about the meeting anymore.


    ¡°Lily, listen. I give you three seconds to get out of my office¡­¡± his voice was t, cold and mean.


    ¡°¡­. You mean you don¡¯t want this?¡± she interrupted, licking her lips and touching her breasts.


    Noah hated being interrupted. He mmed his hands on the table startling Lily.


    ¡°Have you gone mad? Get out of my office. And you are fired.¡±


    Lily scurried away, too scared to say one more word or spend another second in the same space with him.


    Noah stared at her retreating figure in disgust. This was one reason he hated female secretaries. His secretary, James Sullivan was due to go for a leave. He gave him the role of assigning a temporary recement and he selected Lily. She was the most qualified of all the applicants. He also made sure to brief her on the job requirements and description. Noah hadn¡¯t wanted a female in the beginning but he didn¡¯t mind anyway. Now, what he didn¡¯t want has happened.


    He took his suit and car key and walked out of the office.


    Lily was panting in her office. It seemed she had done a marathon. Maybe she had. It was a marathon race fleeing from Noah¡¯s office. When James selected her for this position, she was overjoyed. She would finally get close to the president and warm her way into his heart. She had a very sexy physical appearance, so she thought it would not be difficult. She had heard of his cold and aloof personality but she knew the power of her feminine charms. Unknown to her feminine charms had no power and were inactive in Noah¡¯s world.


    She has lost her job in a twinkle of an eye. She looked around thefortable and luxurious office and tears dropped from her eyes.


    Her very good friend Mira called at that time.


    ¡°Hey girlfriend, how are you?¡± she greeted with a trill in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± came the t reply.


    ¡°Girlfriend? What¡¯s the problem?¡±


    ¡°Mira¡­¡±


    ¡°Mira? Whatever it is that has made you call me Mira must be serious. Calm down and tell me, what¡¯s the problem?¡±


    ¡°I just lost my job,¡± she cried and broke down in tears.


    ¡°What? Your enviable job? No, it can¡¯t be. What happened?¡±


    ¡°Babe, I..¡±


    She narrated everything to her, excluding no detail.


    ¡°Oh my dear. Is that why you are weeping? Common baby girl. You¡¯ve got this. He might have ignored you because he was in a hurry. Babe, you are irresistible. You know you will neverck anything once you get into his bed. I¡¯m sure he has a big stuff that will satisfy you unlike other men.¡±


    ¡°Can you be serious for once? We aren¡¯t joking here.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, I¡¯m not kidding. The secret to happiness in your workce is to have a hit on your boss. You know my story now, or have you forgotten?¡±


    ¡°So, what do you suggest I do?¡±


    ¡°Try again. You know the game very well. Just make sure to go when he¡¯s calm. I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t reject your fat ass.¡±


    They both burst into a loud and longughter.


    Lily thought of what her friend had said and it was the perfect idea to her. She can¡¯t quit her job. No! She wouldn¡¯t leave yet. She would try again.


    Noah drove calmly to the five star hotel where the meeting was to be held. He parked his car and went into the building. The meeting began in earnest andsted for an hour. They had lunch and moved to the next stage of the meeting. Soon, they were done and refreshments were provided. In the next few minutes, everyone was either leaving the hall or greeting some friends. Noah wasn¡¯t left out. Having made a name in the business world, he had a lot of business partners and friends from all over the world.


    Somewhere at the end of the hall, some youngdies who had rank in the business world were having snacks and getting along. Tessy was one of them. She was representing her father¡¯spany for the meeting. Her father handed thepany over to her a long time ago. He trusted in her abilities and she hasn¡¯t failed till that moment.


    Although she was angry with her father for marrying her off, she didn¡¯t use thepany to pay back. She treated thepany like hers. There was no grown up  male child in the Clinton family at the moment. Her younger brother was still ten years old hence the mantle of leadership fell on her and she handled the responsibility so well, even more than ten sons would.


    Her friends wereughing hysterically but she was absent minded. Her focus was on Jayden who was in attendance as well. When they got married, her father fulfilled his own part of the bargain by helping them rise to their feet. But now, what bothered her was that her father wanted to take over thepany by tricks and she was also the one to whom the task was assigned. Although she had never liked Jayden, she wasn¡¯tfortable with using tricks to take over thepany. She wasn¡¯t that kind of person but she was at risk of losing thepany if she didn¡¯t do what her father wanted.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it true, Tessy?¡± one of her friends included her in their joke. She smiled politely.


    Noah was just done greeting friends and was about leaving when he felt someone tap him. He turned and froze immediately. He looked like he had seen a ghost.

 Chapter 58

    ¡°Jess?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s me.¡±


    ****************************************************


    ¡°Jess! Jess! Jess please don¡¯t leave. We can sort things out. I know you didn¡¯t mean it.¡±


    ¡°I meant it and could have done worse, get that into your head.¡±


    ***************************************************


    ¡°Noah!¡± Jessy called when he saw Noah was absent minded. Noah jolted back to reality and stared at him coldly.


    ¡°Jess, what do you want?¡±


    ¡°You really haven¡¯t changed.¡±


    ¡°Get out of my way, Jessy.  Move!¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t time to yell. You should be happy to see me after all these years.¡±


    ¡°Happy!¡± Noah snorted with annoyance.


    ¡°Yes. Happy.¡±


    ¡°And why on earth should I be happy to see you? After what you did? Move, Jess. You are obstructing my movement,¡± Noah finished and made to walk away. But Jessy stopped him.


    ¡°Not so fast, man.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t force me to push you out of the way.¡±


    Jessy looked at him and smiled oddly.


    Noah was obviously taller, bigger and more muscr than he was. A single push from Noah was enough to send him flying in the air and he knew that too well. But he wasn¡¯t disturbed. He ced his hands on Noah¡¯s shoulders and smiled saying,


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t do that, would you? You can¡¯t bear to, right?¡±


    Noah took a deep breath and a sigh escaped his firm and sexy lips.


    ¡°Move,¡± he said, taking Jessy¡¯s hands off his shoulder. When Jessy didn¡¯t move out, Noah carefully pushed him aside and made way for himself to pass. Jessy didn¡¯t stop him, he just watched him walk away until there was no trace of him.


    Noah got to the underground car park and went straight to his car.


    ¡°Jessy?¡± he murmured.


    Meeting Jessy, whom he least expected to see and whom he thought he wasn¡¯t ever going to meet in his lifetime; brought to mind what he had forgotten years back.


    Jessy and Noah were very good friends while their  fathers were worst enemies. Jessy yed with Noah every other day and they were inseparable. They yed together in the Harper family garden. It was always Jessy, Noah and sometimes, a girl called Mabel. Noah and Jessy didn¡¯t let their fathers differences ruin their rtionship. They loved each other to a fault and no one would bear to hurt the other or see him hurt. Their parents tried to break the bond between the boys, but all their efforts proved abortive.


    Noah and Jessy attended the same primary school and high school. Their parents didn¡¯t want them to attend the same school but none wanted to take their child out of the prestigious school because of the other. They fought for supremacy and none wanted to be the weaker one.


    Noah exhaled deeply and looked at his upper arm where the scar was supposed to be. It  was no longer there, all thanks to Dr. Alex¡¯s medical knowledge and expertise.


    Jessy stabbed him ten years ago.


    That evening, he just got out of the meeting room. His father was preparing to hand over the business to him and was taking him along for business meetings. The business wasn¡¯t as grand as it is now.


    ¡°Hey guy!¡± Jessy greeted.


    ¡°Ahhhh! Jess! Jess!! I haven¡¯t seen you for some days now. I hope you are good.¡±


    ¡°Of course. I am, and you?¡±


    ¡°Never better.¡±


    ¡°Why are you smiling so broadly?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I¡¯m happy that I¡¯m almost there.¡±


    Jessy stared at him nkly.


    ¡°There? Where is ¡®there¡¯, please?¡±


    ¡°Thepany. Dad is making the final ns to let me take over. We just rounded up a meeting. I¡¯m famished and all that¡¯s in my head now is food.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡±


    ¡°No. I need to eat. I will have the servants fix me something before I do anything else.¡±


    ¡°Common Noah. You can still eat at my ce. It¡¯s a good evening to hang out.¡±


    Noah thought for a moment and epted.


    ¡°Alright. But whatever happens, it¡¯s food first, deal?¡±


    ¡°Hungry boy. Deal.¡±


    And they bothughed and went out.


    They sat on the balcony of the second floor after eating.


    ¡°The food was delicious. I enjoyed it.¡±


    ¡°Anyone who looks at you won¡¯t believe how much food you eat.¡±


    ¡°Oh no! I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you do. You ate everything on your te.¡±


    After theirughter died down, Noah took out his phone and began operating it.


    ¡°Where do we go this evening?¡±


    There was no response from Jessy for twenty seconds.


    ¡°Jess?¡±


    Still no response. Noah was forced to turn. Jess was standing behind him with a penknife.


    ¡°Jessy? What¡¯s the knife for?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± he screamed as Jessy pushed the knife into his stomach. Fortunately, he was putting on a protective outfit and the knife only gave him a small cut. He didn¡¯t have time to take it off after wrestling practice earlier that evening. He just rushed off to the meeting in thepany.


    ¡°Jessy?¡±


    Jessy shed the knife dangerously at him and stabbed him on his shoulder. Noah screamed as blood gushed from his shoulder. He held Jessy and they struggled with the knife. Noah was stronger and could have pushed Jessy down the balcony but his heart wouldn¡¯t let him. He loved Jessy even at that point. He knew Jessy wouldn¡¯t survive a push down the balcony because he knew Jessy¡¯s strengths and weaknesses like the back of his palm. Noah then jumped down from the second floor. Hended sessfully on his feet and struggled to his car. He drove off groaning in pain as blood poured uncontrobly out of his wound.


    Jessy came to see him at the hospital the following day. There was no trace of regret or apology in his eyes. He stared nkly at his friend for a while and turned to go.


    ¡°Jess! Jess!! Jess! Please don¡¯t leave. We can sort things out. I know you didn¡¯t mean it,¡± Noah called out to him.


    ¡°I meant it and could have done worse if you hadn¡¯t escaped! Get that into your head. I wanted you dead.¡±


    ¡°Dead? Why? What is my offence? Where did I go wrong?¡±

 Chapter 59

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask. What matters is the goal.¡±


    ¡°Do¡­ do.. you¡­ re.. really mean this?¡± Noah asked in a shaky voice.


    ¡°Yes. I regret not stabbing you properly,¡± he finished and walked out. Naoh stared at his retreating figure and pain filled his heart. His friend from childhood tried to kill him. What hurt him more was that he admitted it to his face and had no remorse whatsoever. He wished he pushed him down the balcony but his ever loyal heart would not let him.


    He even asked his father not to go ahead with the investigation. He wanted to protect Jessy even after what happened because he loved him so much. That was thest Noah ever saw of Jessy until that afternoon after an international meeting.


    Noah waited for Jessy toe back and apologise but there was no trace of him. Slowly, the love in Noah¡¯s heart was reced with great hatred. Each moment he saw the scar on his hand, his hatred for Jessy increased further until they became arch enemies.  Noah¡¯s father quickly guessed Noah¡¯s refusal to talk to be a protection for the criminal. He knew immediately who it was. The whole family disappeared into thin air some dayster. Noah felt his father had a hand in Jessy¡¯s disappearance but he didn¡¯t care to find out.


    He didn¡¯t know what it was that Jessy wanted. Jessy still dwelt on the fact that Noah would not bear to hurt him. Noah might as well disappoint him this time.


    A car honked in a distance and Noah shook his head as if he was trying to shake off the thought and turned on his ignition.


    Noah straightened his tie and entered his office.


    ¡°Dear me! No secretary today, so I will have to make my coffee,¡± he muttered sadly and stood up.


    The CEO of ckwood Towers was going to make his coffee himself. That didn¡¯t sound good. He therefore picked a wine and took a ss before settling to work.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered when a knock came. He wasn¡¯t expecting anyone and his first instinct was to send whoever it was away but he changed his mind.


    The door opened and Lily came into sight.


    ¡°What are you still doing here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about yesterday, sir. I promise to be of good conduct. It won¡¯t ever happen again,¡± she apologized and knelt down before him.


    She was apologizing and asking for a second chance but her actions and dressing said otherwise. She wore a very provocative outfit. It was corporate wear but it was very tight. Noah wondered how she managed to squeeze into it.  When she knelt down, she bent down further giving Noah a clear view of her breasts and a chance to feed his eyes. Noah didn¡¯t utter a word. He just picked the phone and made a call.


    ¡°Yes. Be fast about it.¡±


    Lily saw her n wasn¡¯t yielding fruits, so she decided to switch to n B. She unbuttoned her shirt to show more flesh and went towards the shelf.


    ¡°Sir, do you want any book? Theputer manual or anything? I can help you bring it,¡± she offered, shaking her full hips to attract his attention. There was a soft and quick rap on the door. Before Lily could stop shaking her backside and dress up, the door opened and it was Benny.


    She opened her mouth in surprise.


    Who was that woman and what was she doing in Noah¡¯s office? Was Noah cheating on her?Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Noah?¡±


    ¡°Hey babe, how are you?¡±


    Lily was confused. When did President Noah have a girl by his side?


    Benny on the other hand thought that Noah was trying to act normal in order to distract her and make her think nothing was going on.


    ¡°Noah? Are you cheating on me?¡±


    Noah turned and red at Lily. She shook like a leaf and made for the door but before she could leave, the security entered. Noah had sent for them.


    ¡°Good morning sir,¡± they greeted in unison.


    ¡°Throw her out.¡±


    They obeyed his instructions and forced Lily out of the office.


    ¡°I¡¯m not cheating on you, Benny. I won¡¯t do something like that and you know it¡±


    ¡°Then who¡¯s she? Who?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s my secretary.¡±


    Bennyughed painfully.


    ¡°Your secretary? Go on, lie to a two year old, I have be a toddler. Do you expect me to buy that?¡±


    ¡°My secretary is on leave, she¡¯s supposed to be a temporary recement but she¡¯s fired now.¡±


    Benny felt safe when he said she had been fired.


    ¡°Come here.¡±


    She pouted and moved closer to him. Noah hugged her and kissed her passionately. That was all she wanted. She wanted Noah all to herself. She wanted his love, care and attention. It only worried her that he has refused to sleep with her. He always asked to be patient till he got married to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to see that¡­¡± he apologized further but Benny let the other words die in his mouth by sealing his lips with a kiss.


    ¡°Mummy, will I have a ce to y?¡± Liam asked when his mother said she was taking him to work.


    ¡°No baby. It¡¯s an office.¡±


    ¡°But mum, I want to y and I also want¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Enough little boy. You areing with me and that¡¯s final. I can¡¯t leave you all alone for too long. I will be at the office for eight hours so you have toe along.¡±


    ¡°Okay mummy,¡± he answered sulking.


    ¡°Make sure to take your phone along.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s here already, mum.¡±


    The first thing Emily did was to give him a phone once they got to the USA. She didn¡¯t know her schedule and she needed to be in constantmunication with him. She didn¡¯t want to hear any nasty stories. He was instructed to call her if anything happens.


    Emily was so engrossed in drafting her design that she had her ears and eyes for nothing else. After some time, Liam opened the door and walked out unnoticed.

 Chapter 60

    Liam found his way back to the reception. He decided to go outside and take a stroll. It would help him to better admire the surroundings. He opened the door and stepped out without looking. He bumped into someone.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he apologised immediately and respectfully.


    This person had nice shoes that seemed quite expensive. Liam concluded the person would be rich. He raised his head to see the person who had almost walked past him and he smiled when he did.


    ¡°Mister Noah!¡±


    Noah was taken aback. Who was it that dared to call him ¡®mister?¡¯ Whatever happened to his ¡®President¡¯ title?


    When he collided with someone at the door, he didn¡¯t react because it was such a small fellow. No sane adult would walk out of a door without looking. He didn¡¯t care to see the little one who bumped into him. It wasn¡¯t necessary, such things never were. He simply walked on but had to turn when he heard ¡®mister Noah.¡¯


    He smiled warmly when he saw Liam. Liam ran to him and hugged him. The receptionist was amazed. She had never seen Noah smile or hug someone. It was known that he had no emotions and did nothing of that sort.


    ¡°How are you?¡±


    ¡°I am fine, thank you, and you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Before Liam could answer, Frank came into the reception.


    ¡°Hey! ckwood, is that you? So, you made it!¡±


    ¡°Frank, don¡¯t be an ass. I told you I will.¡±


    ¡°Good morning, sir.¡±


    ¡°Morning boy, how are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine sir.¡±


    The receptionist was suddenly extra focused on her work. The CEO was here and she didn¡¯t want to take chances.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hit the road,¡± Frank said, putting his hands on Noah¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°I will see youter, alright?¡± Noah said calmly to Liam. He nodded and smiled. He waved at Noah as he went out and Noah waved back to the greatest amazement of Frank and the receptionist. Frank looked again to be sure he saw correctly.


    ¡°ckwood, what¡¯s happening?¡± he asked once they were out of earshot.


    ¡°Happening? I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°You were holding a little boy when I entered. You even smiled and waved at him. When did you be cordial and jovial?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s something about that boy. He¡¯s amazing.¡±


    ¡°Wow. For you to affirm that someone is amazing, it means that person is more than just amazing.¡±


    Noah smiled. He rarely gave credit to people, he only said it in his mind but never aloud.


    ¡°I think I have seen that little amazing guy of yours somewhere. I¡¯m just thinking of where I did.¡±


    ¡°Get into the car and stop thinking.¡±


    ¡°Yes! That is the boy in the portrait in your office, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, right.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t told me about this boy. Howe I have never met him?¡±


    ¡°To Jenn¡¯s ce,¡± Frank instructed the driver.


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°He isn¡¯t American. He¡¯s Chinese.¡±


    ¡°Chinese? Then how did¡­¡±


    ¡°Easy. One step at a time.¡±


    Frank smiled and raised his hands in mock surrender.


    ¡°Thest building blockpetition which was hostedst year gave him to me. We had a rough meeting before thepetition and he proved to be a very impressived. You know how much I love intelligent people.¡±


    ¡°Yeah! I know that a lot.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Could you believe he asked me to take a picture with him after thepetition?¡±


    ¡°What? He wasn¡¯t scared to ask that?¡±


    ¡°That endeared him to me all the more. He¡¯s simply an amazing kid. I agreed to take the picture, it wasn¡¯t a bad idea though. He said he wanted to take it to his mum.¡±


    ¡°Huh? This is very funny. So, this is why that picture is in your office. I forgot to ask thest time I was there.¡±


    ¡°Because you were so engrossed in talking trash and drinking my coffee.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh! Nah! You can¡¯t say that. You know it¡¯s not true.¡±


    The driver used his mirror to steal a look at these two young men. Their attitude when they were together was a clear contrast to when they were alone. Noah was worse although he rarely came in contact with him. Theyughed and joked non stop whenever they were together but each looked like he seldom uttered a word or smiled when he was alone.


    He always looked forward to driving both of them out but sadly, it happened a very few times. Almost once or twice in four months.


    They returned about an hourter and Noah bade Frank goodbye.


    ¡°You are not saying goodbye to me here, are you?¡±


    ¡°Frank. You want me to go up?¡±


    ¡°Hell no! Who wants you in my office?¡±


    ¡°Crazy¡­¡±


    ¡°Follow me. Make sure I get into the office safely and leave after I have entered the elevator.¡±


    ¡°Oh my goodness. Why don¡¯t I carry you in as well?¡±


    Noah hugged him and stepped out of the car.


    ¡°President Noah! You forgot something, the sh,¡± Frank called out after Noah.


    ¡°You just want me toe in and you have seeded. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Noah came downstairs again after taking the sh and met Liam at the reception readingics. He held the boy and led him to his car.


    ¡°What are you doing in the USA?¡±


    ¡°I came for a vacation. It¡¯s dragon boat festival vacation in China so I came to spend it here.¡±


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s great.¡±


    ¡°I would love to take a tour and see the city. Do you know some nice ces so I can tell my mummy to take me there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah! There are a lot of nice ces you will love.¡±


    ¡°Ehhh? Tell me!¡± Liam said, his eyes shining in excitement.


    ¡°We have the amusement park, gold bar, kiddies store and a lot more.¡±


    ¡°Thank you mister. I will tell my mummy to take me there. Bye!¡± Liam ran off excitedly to tell his mother of histest findings.


    Emily finally paused and she realised her son wasn¡¯t there anymore. Before she could react, he opened the door and came running in.


    ¡°Mummy, I met my friend.¡±


    ¡°What friend? Have you made a friend already?¡±


    ¡°No mummy, it¡¯s Mister Noah!¡±

 Chapter 61

    ¡°Noah Harper? Where did you meet him?¡±


    ¡°He is still outside. You can go and meet him. He¡¯s nice and he¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Emily interrupted.


    Does the kid even know what he is talking about? She should go and meet Noah, her ex husband? If she does, he might never see his lovely mother again. Noah will surely deal with her.


    ¡°Mummy¡­¡± Liam called with teary eyes.


    Emily wasn¡¯t moved by his tears. This was time to be stern.


    ¡°Listen, I don¡¯t want to ever see you around¡­¡±


    She paused and pondered on what she was about to say. If she asked him to stay away from Noah, chances were that he would ask why and she had no sensible exnation to give him.


    Liam looked on waiting for her toplete her statement.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you leaving this office when I am not with you. Is that clear?¡±


    Liam just stared at her.


    She wanted to say something just now.


    ¡°Mummy, you wanted to say something. I should not be seen around who, mummy?¡±


    ¡°Sit still and wait for me. Let me submit this design and we will go. Is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Yes, mummy.¡±


    Phew. She nearly made a mistake and her very smart son would have found out something if not for her timely intervention.


    But why did Noahe to thepany? Was it his too?


    No! She had grown up in the country and she had always known Donmack to be an independentpany on its own. Did Noah buy it? Maybe.


    She quickly remembered that in the mail they sent to her, the address and letterhead had no sign of being affiliated with ckwood Towers.


    It was in this state of deep thought that she got to the manager¡¯s office.


    ¡°Wow! This is amazing, so beautiful,¡± the manager apuded while admiring the design with shining eyes. He has never seen any design that beautiful and unique in all his years in Donmack.


    He shifted his gaze from the design and turned to face the designer.


    ¡°She¡¯s just as beautiful as her designs,¡± he thought.


    He wished he could get her into his bed but sadly, his authority was limited. If she were a normal full time or part time employee, he only needed to say the word and a lot of female workers woulde frolicking around him. And why not when he held the keys to promotion in thepany?


    ¡°Thank you sir.¡±


    ¡°Emm¡­ sir, is¡­¡±


    The manager waited for her to continue but it seemed she wasn¡¯t willing.


    ¡°Is what? Feel free. Go ahead, Miss.¡±


    Emily wanted to find out if they were in any way rted to ckwood Towers but she didn¡¯t want to arouse any suspicion. She was here as a foreigner and she had to act like one till the end.


    ¡°Nothing sir. It¡¯s alright. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Miss Muxin, the client who owns the wedding dress, is highly pleased with the draft and can¡¯t wait to get the main work. Thank you for doing well.¡±


    ¡°Thank you sir.¡±


    She smiled politely.


    ¡°Well Miss, the client has decided that you will no longer stay in the hotel. He figured out an apartment would be more conducive for you. Here are the keys to your new apartment, you will be staying there instead of the hotel till the contract period is over.¡±


    Wow. Good heavens. How did this client of hers read her mind? She had always wanted an apartment not a hotel. She wanted to cook her own meals and all of that.


    Earlier that morning, she was just done with breakfast and was watching a Chinese movie with her son when she got a call from Donmack. She wondered what it was for since it was her off day. She left Liam in the care of the hotel staff and hurried over only for her to receive this great news.


    ¡°Thank you sir.¡±  That was all she had been saying since the previous day. Just appreciation.


    ¡°You are quite lucky Miss. Our client rarely has time to gift people talk more of people who aren¡¯t close to him. So, congrattions, you deserve it.¡±


    If Emily did a great job, Donmack will have the credit and it will increase their patronage by over 90% in the near future. Since Noah was a public figure, his wedding would be the talk of the town and a lot of people would like to patronise his perfect designer.


    Three dayster.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Okay, hurry up, get your footwear, mummy is waiting.¡±


    ¡°Alright mummy. I will be quick.¡±


    Emily wanted to go shopping to stock the house having moved in officially.


    ¡°Mummy, don¡¯t forget to buy carrots too. Liam loves carrots.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t, I promise.¡±  Emily smiled and patted his head like a kitten.


    They alighted from the taxi and stood in front of the mall. She used toe here as a child and all through the years she was in the USA. She was happy to be back as a better person. She held her son¡¯s hands firmly and walked in.


    Liam nced around the shopping mall, taking in its beauty and grand style. It was a weekday and a lot of people weren¡¯t in the mall. Emily chose a weekday in order to do her shopping quietly and peacefully.


    ¡°A lot hasn¡¯t changed here.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Have you been here before, mummy?¡±


    ¡°Yes. A lot of times. This way. Let¡¯s get what we need for the house.¡±


    They shopped in silence, the only sound between them was the sound of  their breathing and putting items into the shopping basket they carried.  It didn¡¯t take long and they were done.


    ¡°Mummy, let¡¯s buy sweets, please.¡±


    Emily gave him a look he understood immediately.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s not good for my teeth, mummy, but just a little won¡¯t be bad, will it?¡±


    Emily chuckled. What a boy! Always finding his way around rules with sensible reasons you thought didn¡¯t exist.


    Shopping was over and the mother and son pair walked over to the counter.


    Her items were calcted and the bill given to her. She paid and just as she was about leaving, she felt a domineering presence in the mall.

 Chapter 62

    Even from a distance, his aura was powerful and scary. His slender legs walked in through the door and soon, his entire body was in sight. His face, cold and distant as usual. His eyes were dark and deep.


    Noah Harper!Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Emily felt her legs grow weak. What? What was she going to do? How will she escape? Without thinking it through, she grabbed her shopping bag and Liam and hid behind one of the Gond shelves. Fortunately, Liam didn¡¯t see the president, else he could have run into his embrace and exposed her.


    She held her breath behind the gond shelf and waited for him to be out of sight.


    ¡°And why is he everywhere? Always appearing around me and in my space. I told Yanxi that this man is everywhere. What am I going to do now?¡±


    She watched him enter the elevator. Only then did she release her breath and heave a sigh of relief. She wasn¡¯t going toe to this mall ever again.


    Liam wondered what the running was all about but he didn¡¯t question his mum. Whatever it was, was surely under her control and he had great and absolute confidence in her. She knew best. He ate his sweet happily and followed her out of the mall without any worry in the world.


    The meeting hall was silent and everyone stood up. They stood to usher in President Noah Harper. He was in a meeting with some of the businessmen in the country, they were to discuss a project.


    ¡°Good day, President Harper,¡± all but one man greeted in unison.


    Noah sat down calmly, not sparing them a second nce until¡­


    ¡°Good day, Noah.¡±


    It was the man who didn¡¯t join in the greeting. The other business men looked at him and signalled him to apologise. He was the only foreigner in  their midst.


    Maybe he didn¡¯t know the rules in the country, ohh! Poor man.


    They all  waited to see Noah¡¯s reaction but Noah merely nced in the direction of the voice and kept mute. They all looked at each other in silence. They had the same question on their mind.


    ¡°Who is this man? He dared call president Noah by his name and he didn¡¯t even react.¡±


    Jessy again. He was going to ignore him throughout the meeting.


    Noah ended up rejecting their proposals and soon, the meeting came to an end. As was the custom, they all stood up as he left the room. Jessy followed suit to the amazement of all present.


    ¡°Hey man!¡± he greeted, wrapping his arms around Noah¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Get lost!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t and I won¡¯t. I¡¯m back to continue from where I stopped. Sounds interesting, right?¡±


    Noah whirled around and gave him a hard blow that sent him crashing on the ground. Hey there too shocked and groaning in pain. Noah walked away like nothing happened.


    When the other businessmen left the meeting room, they only saw him staring in the direction Noah left from.


    Number 37 Avenue, Wale¡¯s Street.


    Emily stood in front of the gates again after five long years. Thest time she was here was that day Noah took her away five years ago. She had been so happy to leave the home of sorrow and misery.  She opened the gates and walked into thepound.


    There was no servant in sight as she entered. She tapped gently on the door and it was opened a few secondster by her mother.


    ¡°What do you want here?¡± she asked with extreme hostility.


    ¡°Who is that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s this unfilial daughter of yours.¡±


    Emily brushed past her and walked into the house.


    ¡°Is that how you treat your mother now?¡±


    ¡°Mother?¡± Emily sneered.


    ¡°Why are you back? To beg for some food to eat? You miserable child!¡± Olivia cursed.


    ¡°I will never.¡±


    ¡°Then why are you here?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself to think that I woulde here to beg you for anything.  Where is your favourite daughter, Rose?¡±


    ¡°All thanks to you. You have gotten her imprisoned.¡±


    ¡°Olivia! She has no hand in it!¡± Williams defended.


    ¡°Be quiet. She has a hand.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t make us lose ourpany.¡±


    Emily was surprised to find out that they had lost thepany.


    ¡°Go ahead and tell her everything. By the way, wasn¡¯t it her foolishness that led to it? If she had gotten married to Jayden, we would have been better off.¡±


    Emily guessed they must have sent the servants away because of financial issues.


    ¡°Well, for your information, I am better off now I didn¡¯t get married to that scumbag! I merely came around, back to the house where I grew up, not because I came to beg you all for anything, but to let you know that I have be a better person.¡±


    ¡°Oh! I see. That¡¯s great news!¡± Olivia said with extreme sarcasm.


    ¡°I wish I never grew up in this house!¡±


    ¡°Nobody wants you here. Begone you useless child!¡±


    ¡°Emily! Is that how you talk to your mother now? Williams questioned.


    ¡°This is what you always do, father. You never support me. You paid deaf ears to all that she said and heard only mine. It¡¯s wrong and unjust. You have to stop it!¡±


    Olivia raised her hands to hit Emily but Emily held her hands in the air.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare! I am no longer Emily you know. I won¡¯t let youy a finger on me. Like I said earlier, I came to let you know that I am doing great without you and contrary to your expectations.¡±


    Emily finished and stormed out of the house to the amazement of both parents. When did Emily have so much guts?


    Emily left the house seething in anger. How dare her parents! Were they thinking she was still the little girl they bullied in the past?


    She got to the nanny¡¯s ce and entered the house. She had left Liam in her care while leaving the house.


    ¡°Good day, ma¡¯am. Where¡¯s he?¡± she asked as she opened her bag and brought out some money.


    ¡°Miss¡­ he¡­ he¡­¡±


    ¡°He what? Where is my son?¡±

 Chapter 63

    ¡°Miss¡­ we were st¡­ strolling when he¡­¡±


    ¡°Common, can you talk? Where is my son! What happened? Say something!¡±


    ¡°We met president Noah while strolling and he went away with him. Miss, I tried to¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Are you mad? How could you? I handed my son to you, put him in your care and you are telling me theseme tales? Huh?¡±


    ¡°Liam followed him willingly. I told President Noah that he was a child under my care but he said he would bring the boy back. It was Liam who followed as well, Miss.¡±


    ¡°Oh my goodness!¡±


    Emily hurried away and went straight home. The only thing she thought of was calling Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°Yanxi, Noah has taken my son away!¡±


    ¡°Taken your son away? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I went to see my parents and I put him in the care of a nanny. I just returned now and she¡¯s telling me that he went away with Noah! My son is gone!¡± she wept.


    ¡°Easy dear. He only went out. Did the nanny say when he would return?¡±


    ¡°She said Noah would bring him back. But I¡¯m skeptical. He will find out he¡¯s my son and he will look for me or take him away. I¡­ what do I do Emily? My son is¡­¡±


    ¡°Noah will bring him back. Maybe he only took him out or something. They are friends, remember?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I know they are friends but that friendship has to stop. Why will my son be friends with my ex husband? Yanxi, how? What if he asks him who his mother is? How about he brings him home and sees me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m at work, Emily. Let¡¯s talkter please. You talked about giving Liam a phone as soon as you get to the USA. Did youter do so?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I did.¡±


    ¡°Call him. Tell him to return. That¡¯s the only thing.  And when he does, tell him not to wander off with strangers in the nearest future. It¡¯s going to be fine. I will call you in the evening, okay?¡±


    ¡°Alright. Thank you.¡±


    The employees of ckwood Towers stared in surprise as the cold, distant and aloof President Noah walked in hand in hand with a little boy. That was the first of it¡¯s kind!


    ¡°Wow! Your office is so big!¡± Liam eximed looking around the luxurious office.


    When Noah took him from the care of his nanny, Liam asked him where he was going and why he was putting on a suit.


    ¡°I am going back to my office after a meeting at one of my subsidiary firms.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°You have two offices? A main one and a subsidiary firm?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no. I have a main office and a lot of subsidiary firms.¡±


    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s great. Can I see your office please? I hope I am not disturbing?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. You aren¡¯t. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Liam continued admiring the office taking care not to touch anything.


    ¡°When we first arrived, I noticed this tall building and I wanted toe and see the tallest building that stood out in the country. Now I am here!¡±


    ¡°Hmm. You look very excited to be here.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I am.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will take you to the highest  peak of the towers.¡±


    ¡°Thank you mister Noah.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that our picture? So you put it here.¡±


    ¡°Yes. It was just too beautiful.¡±


    There was a knock on the door and Noah¡¯s secretary, James entered. He had resumed work after his leave. He was surprised to see his boss with a happy face and a little boy.


    ¡°Sir.. sir.. Good day sir.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Good afternoon sir,¡± Liam greeted respectfully. The secretary merely smiled at him from the corner of his eyes.


    ¡°Sir, the documents you asked me to get are ready. You also have a meeting in thirty minutes.¡±


    ¡°Drop the files on the table and cancel the meeting. Do I have any appointments for the day?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir. Mr. Joachim.¡±


    ¡°Tell him I will see him tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Okay sir.¡±


    Liam watched the whole encounter in surprise. He marvelled at Noah¡¯s authority. The secretary stood so quietly and respectfully in front of him, obeying his orders and answering ¡®yes sir¡¯ without counter opinion. He found it extremely amazing.


    Noah looked at the boy after the secretary left and guessed what he was thinking.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you need to work hard and build your own enterprise.¡±


    ¡°I will. Thank you Mister.¡±


    Noah opened his fridge and gave the little boy a pack of juice.


    ¡°No, thank you, mister.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°My mummy said I should eat outside or ept gifts from strangers or anyone.¡±


    Noah concealed a smile and answered,


    ¡°Okay then. You can sit.¡±


    Noah sat down and opened hisptop while Liam continued exploring the office. When he was done exploring, he came up behind Noah and watched him work.


    ¡°So you know how to do this too?¡±


    Noah was decoding a site and tracking some information.


    ¡°Too? Does that mean you know how to do it as well?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s quite easy. I learnt a part of it while ying around on myptop and learnt others in ss.¡±


    ¡°You are such a smart kid. I like that.¡±


    It was then that Noah¡¯s phone rang and it was his mum calling.


    ¡°I am in Mister Noah¡¯s office, mummy¡­. Alright mum, I will return right away.¡±


    ¡°Your mum¡¯s looking for you? Noah asked, having overheard the conversation.


    ¡°Yes. Can I trouble you to take me home, please?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I will. I brought you here and hey! It¡¯s no trouble, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thank you Mister Noah.¡±


    ¡°Let me just tidy this and we are good to go. You know the way from the nanny¡¯s ce, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s not far from our house.¡±


    Emily sat in the living room, waiting for her son. The nanny would bring him home soon.


    The car stopped in front of the house and the two upants, Liam and Noah got out.


    Emily sprang up as soon as she heard the knock. Her son was back. She was going to warn him as well as the nanny, sternly.


    She got to the door and opened it.

 Chapter 64

    Liam ran into her embrace smelling fresh. There was a strong male cologne on him. Noah!


    ¡°Where¡¯s the nanny?¡±


    ¡°Mister Noah brought me home?¡±


    ¡°Wh¡­ where is he?¡± she stammered.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity he didn¡¯t evene in or get to say hello. While we wereing, he suddenly got an urgent call. He asked me to extend his warmest regards and hurried away like a rushing wind. I wish he came in.¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness!¡± she muttered.


    ¡°Now get into the house and stop wishing. Next time, don¡¯t wander off with strangers or anyone. It isn¡¯t safe and you will make mummy worried, is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Yes mummy.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    Tessy watched as Jayden knotted his tie and put on his suit. They seldom spoke to each other in their loveless marriage but they were bound to it for life by their parents.


    Her father, Mr. Clinton had given herid down steps and procedures to take over thepany. She was a brave and intelligent young girl but her heart wasn¡¯t made of stone either. Each time she looked at Jayden hurrying off to work dedicatedly and diligently, she felt a pang of guilt in her heart.


    She looked at the calendar on her phone for the hundredth time that morning. Today was the first day of the n. She either does as her father said or she would lose thepany.


    ¡°I¡¯m off to work,¡± Jayden announced his whereabouts to her for the first time since they got married.


    Why he chose that day of all days to tell her where he was going was ambiguous to her and it made her even more reluctant to carry out her father¡¯s wish.


    The first step was to buy as many shares as possible in thepany. But before that, she was to visit him to know how things work.


    Jayden was informed of a visitor who, although had no appointment, demanded to see him. He let her in because it was pearl, his friend¡¯s sister.


    ¡°Hello Jay!¡±


    ¡°How are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good and you?¡±


    ¡°Great too.¡±


    ¡°Are you just going to sit there? Won¡¯t I get a hug?¡±


    ¡°A hug? What for? Common baby girl, sit.¡±


    She pouted and stood still. She looked really cute like that. Jaydenughed and stood up.


    ¡°Alright. Come here.¡± He opened his arms and she went into his embrace.


    The familiar smell, the smell of him reminded her of what happened some months ago. She wanted more, she was already wet and wanted him to fill her, to satisfy her. He pulled out from the embrace and went back to his seat.


    ¡°Why did youe to see me? I¡¯m surprised to see you here.¡±


    ¡°I came to see you because I missed you.¡±


    ¡°You missed me? Pearl?¡±


    She liked the way he called her name. It sounded very sexy and was music to her ears. The red, sweet and sexy lips that called out the name were so enticing. She really wanted to seal her lips with him again and get a full taste of him.


    Before she realized it, she stood up and kissed him. He was taken unawares and was too shocked to push her away. He let her kiss him but he didn¡¯t reciprocate the kiss.


    He looked at her and it was then he noticed her attire. She was wearing something sexy. She wore a sleeveless gown that revealed a greater part of her breasts and beautiful and fairps. Then she wore a denim jacket over it for a bit of decency. Her exposed body wasn¡¯t for onlookers but for Jayden alone.


    Jayden swallowed hard and felt his crotch harden but he tried to restrain himself. She was Robert¡¯s sister and Robert was like a brother to him. It wouldn¡¯t be nice if he was sleeping with his sister.


    Jayden was starved sexually and a little touch could arouse him at the moment. He was being careful all these months not to jeopardize the help from the Clinton family so he ced a hold on his promiscuous lifestyle. Tessy would not let hime close to her, hence sex waspletely out of the picture.


    When Pearl saw that he didn¡¯t push her away like before, she knew she had a good chance and will have her way if she yed her cards well. She pushed her body towards him and touched his body. She traced her hands from the corner of his lips and stopped when she touched his sensitive spot which was now hard and almost visible from his clothes.


    ¡°Stop Pearl. I can¡¯t do this, I can¡¯t make you anymitments at the moment, just leave please.¡±Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t wantmitments, Jay. I just want you to f**k me hard, please.¡±


    ¡°You caused this.¡±


    Jayden stood up and grabbed her breasts squeezing them tightly and painfully. She moaned and shut her eyes, enjoying his touch. He lifted her dress and to his greatest glee, she had no underwear. He touched her soft ass and turned her around, her back against his chest. He unbuttoned his trousers and she gasped at his full length. It seemed longer than thest time. She arched her body towards him, silently begging him to go in. He stretched his hands and took his wallet from the table. He retrieved a condom from it which he tore open with his teeth. He gave it to her and she  slid it over him. The delicate movement of her fingers made him even harder. He turned her around and drove himself into her, filling her and satisfying her. She let out a moan in satisfaction.


    Jayden pulled in and out of her slowly, then he increased his pace. She loved it. This was the best sex of her life even though it came without much forey.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this more often,¡± she suggested.


    He grunted in response. Still inside her, he bent low and put his mouth over one of her nipples, filling her with immense pleasure.


    Just then, the door opened.

 Chapter 65

    Tessy stared in shock at her supposed husband, who was banging another woman hard. Although she had no feelings whatsoever for him and wasn¡¯t ever going to spread her legs for him, she demanded respect as his legal wife. On a closer look, she saw it was the same girl fromst time. She wondered how long this had been going on.


    Jayden felt a presence and turned towards the door. He saw her but ignored herpletely. He focused on Pearl¡¯s breasts, doing what he knew best.


    He didn¡¯t even flinch at her presence, he continued unperturbed. Here she was having pity on him and he was cheating on her. To hell with sympathy! She would make sure he loses thepany. She stormed out of the office leaving the door ajar.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Pearl was pleased with Jayden. He didn¡¯t choose his legal wife over her! She was determined to be a sex tool for him anytime, anywhere. He was simply amazing.


    Tessy got into her car and yelled at her driver to drive quickly. She transferred aggression on the poor man and yelled at him non stop.


    She either asked him to drive faster, overtake a car or she said the AC was too high or too low. The driver got so disorganized and mistakenly ran into another car.


    ¡°You dare dent my car? Do you know how much it costs?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma.¡±


    The driver of the other car came down.


    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry,¡± Tessy¡¯s driver quickly apologised.


    ¡°Hey! Move your car out of the way, I need to get somewhere in a few minutes,¡± Tessy interrupted.


    ¡°Excuse me ma¡¯am? You hit my car and shouldpensate me.¡±


    Tessy reached out and pped him.


    ¡°If you won¡¯t take the car out of the way, I will go and meet whoever it is in that car.¡±


    ¡°No madam. It¡¯s fine. I will drive off quickly,¡± the driver said but Tessy was already marching towards the car. The driver who didn¡¯t want to incur the wrath of his master ran over but he got a second p from her.


    The man in the car sat still and watched everything that happened.


    She got to his window and tapped thrice on it.


    ¡°Hey, tell your driver to get off the road. I have an important appointment. You were driving sluggishly that¡¯s why I had to reawaken you. Now, take this thing out of the road.¡±


    Still the man said nothing. He only pressed the automatic button and the ss wound down slowly, revealing his exceptionally handsome face.


    ¡°Pre¡­ president Noah?¡±


    She quickly covered her mouth with her palms and her sanity returned that instant.


    Noah stared at her with his eyes deep, dark and profound as the night.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir.¡±


    ¡°Apologise to my driver.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Sorry.¡±


    How could he ask her to apologize to an ordinary driver? She looked at him again, hoping he would change his mind but his gaze was still fixated on her, waiting for her to carry out his instruction.


    ¡°Sir, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Be fast about it.¡±


    She walked up to the driver and said,


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    The driver looked at her, his eyes popping out.


    What could have changed the spitting cobra to a calm and meekmb?


    Noah nodded and waved her off. She returned to her car with her pride and ego wounded.


    This was all Jayden¡¯s fault. There was no two ways about it, she was taking over thepany.


    ¡°Here,¡± Noah handed an ointment to the driver as soon as he got into the car.


    ¡°Sir?¡±


    Noah had surprised him twice that day. First, he didn¡¯t react when his car was hit and he made that woman apologise to him. Now, he was handing him an ointment.


    ¡°Thank you, sir. I am alright.¡±


    He frowned when the driver failed to take it.


    ¡°I won¡¯t say it again.¡±


    The man quickly took the ointment with trembling hands and applied it on his face. He stole asional nces at the president. He needed to be sure this wasn¡¯t a test or anything.


    ***************************************************


    Jessy helped him up as they both continued running, theirughter echoing in the garden. Jessy taught Noah how to  fish in the river that flowed across the garden. They caught fish for fun and Noah gave them to the cook to fry it for them.


    They were known as very good and inseparable friends in school. Other students seldom offended the other for the fear of incurring the other¡¯s wrath.


    ¡°We can be friends for life, can¡¯t we?¡± Jessy asked him one morning.


    ¡°We can. It¡¯s going to be nice.¡±


    Three dayster, after their fourteenth birthday, Jessy came to pay him a visit in his house. He came along with two beautiful nes.


    ¡°Noah, promise me you won¡¯t leave. I want us to always be friends. Our parents weren¡¯t able to separate us, let nothing else do, please. You are the best friend I ever had and I don¡¯t want to lose you.¡±


    ¡°I promise, you won¡¯t lose me, we will always, I mean, forever be friends,¡± Noah pledged with his hands in Jessy¡¯s.


    Jessy gave him one of the nes as a symbol of  theirsting friendship and brotherhood. They both wore the ne everywhere and every time.


    ***************************************************


    Noah opened his drawers and held the ne in his hand. He had stayed loyal to Jessy but Jessy betrayed him. He wore the ne from the day it was put on him till the day Jessy told him to his face, while he was on a hospital bed, that he could have killed him.


    This same Jessy was back to continue from where he stopped. The symbol of their friendship no longer held water. Their fathers would be very happy now their cordial rtionship was ruined.


    He looked at the ne sadly and put it back in the drawer. Jessy, his best friend, was now his archenemy. That was sad.


    His phone rang and he picked it up.


    ¡°Good day sir. Sir, your father was involved in an ident just now!¡±

 Chapter 66

    Noah stood up instantly as beads of sweat ran down his forehead.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Sir, we don¡¯t know yet, but we will find out. He has been rushed to Merlin hospital.¡±


    Noah¡¯s heart throbbed, his breathing was fast and heavy.


    ¡°What happened to dad? Please dad, stay alive, I can¡¯t lose you,¡± he prayed silently.


    Although he didn¡¯t have a very good and cordial rtionship with his father, he still acknowledged him as his father and wanted him alive, hale and hearty.


    The thought of his father losing his life as a result of the ident made his hands tremble and his knees shook.


    He got into his car and drove to the hospital. His father had already been attended to and treated, owing to his influence.


    Noah looked at his father on the hospital bed and his heart bled. The drip went into his almost lifeless body. Noah blinked severally to prevent the tears from falling. He was a brave man, but not when his father¡¯s life was at stake. He had lost his mother and didn¡¯t want to lose his father too, at least, not now and not to a serious ident.


    He left the ward and sent for his father¡¯s driver. He only had minor injuries. Noah studied him for a long time, his eyes boring deep into his soul as if he could read his mind.


    He turned to one of his men and said,


    ¡°Check the CCTV footage.¡±


    He focused once more on the driver.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°It was a nned ident sir. The person was clearly aiming for my master. Our car was hit from the rear and from the side as well, that¡¯s why the master sustained serious injuries.¡±


    Noah looked at him and his instincts told him the man was saying the truth.


    ¡°Someone dared to kill my father?¡±


    He was definitely going to get to the bottom and root of this.


    The man who was sent to check the CCTV with the road officials returned soon.


    ¡°Here is the video sir.¡±


    Noah watched the video but there was no trace of what he was looking for. The video was tampered with. Whoever that was behind this was a smart person.


    ¡°This video has been tampered with. Go back to the road officials for the right one.¡±


    The man returned with the same response as before.


    Noah sighed. This person wasn¡¯t going to go scot free. He fumbled his pocket for his keys and gave it to his father¡¯s driver with the instruction,


    ¡°Get myptop from the car. There are two, bring the one on the back seat and be fast about it.¡±


    He was smarter than whoever it was.  He opened hisptop and set to work. He was very good at coding and hacking. He put in the required information and navigated through sessfully. The deleted and full video popped up in no time. He zoomed the culprit¡¯s face and said to his men,


    ¡°Find him, bring him to my suite.¡±


    Noah checked on his father one more time and left. He asked for the man to be sent to his suite and not the hospital because he didn¡¯t trust himself. He would murder the man with his bare hands if care wasn¡¯t taken.


    The many on the floor and waited for his judgement to begin. Noah¡¯s men stood by the side waiting for orders from Noah. They knew what wasing, he was going to tell them to beat him up. But he didn¡¯t. Instead, he stood up and moved closer to the man. He raised his face and dealt him a heavy blow. The man spat out blood and pleaded for mercy.


    Noah¡¯s men shrank back in fear. They had never seen their master so angry or deal with a culprit himself.


    ¡°Who sent you?¡±


    The man didn¡¯t speak. Noah made to give him another blow and he screamed,


    ¡°It¡¯s a foreigner¡­. It¡¯s a foreigner, have mercy on me please.¡±


    ¡°A foreigner sent you after Joshua Harper and you obeyed. How dare you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, I will¡­¡±


    He was cut short by a deafening p from Noah that made him fall on his face.


    ¡°Has the bloody foreigner no name?¡±


    The man was groaning in pain and he could barely talk but he knew better than to ignore Noah one more time.


    ¡°He does¡­ I will talk. Please, pl.. please, be merciful.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste my time! What¡¯s the name?¡±


    ¡°Jessy Harlord.¡±


    ¡°Look him up this minute, find out who it is.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    The men set to work and Jessy was located a few minutester.


    ¡°We have found him, sir.¡±


    ¡°Show him to this idiot for confirmation.¡±


    The man on the floor looked at the picture and confirmed it.


    ¡°Are you sure he is the one? If my master finds out you are lying, you will be done for,¡± the servants cautioned.


    ¡°I swear on my life, he is the one. Have mercy on me please.¡±


    Having confirmed the master nner, they took theptop to Noah. Noah saw the picture and his jaw dropped open. He turned red in the face and clenched his fist.


    ¡°Jessy! That bloody bastard!¡±


    Noah took his car keys and drove off, taking none of his men along. This was going to be a personal battle. He was going to murder Jessy that very day.


    He drove into thepound, taking the security men off guard. They didn¡¯t dare stop him for two reasons.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    One was his influence and the other was that his eyes were brewing fire and he was gritting his teeth.


    He flung the door open and barged into the house. He grabbed one of the servants and asked,


    ¡°Where is Jessy?¡±


    ¡°Pr¡­ sir.. he¡­¡±


    Noah shook him roughly and yelled,


    ¡°Speak up!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s upstairs! Upstairs sir¡­.¡±


    Noah shoved the poor fellow aside and hurried up the stairs. There were three rooms on the right. He opened the first and the second and there was no sign of life.


    He opened the third, and there was Jessy sitting on the bed.

 Chapter 67

    Noah rushed to him and grabbed his neck.


    ¡°How dare you! What did you do to my father?¡±


    Jessy pulled himself free and pushed Noah away.


    ¡°This is just the beginning. Your father killed my father!¡±


    Noah pped him hard across the face and pushed him to the wall.


    ¡°Beginning of what? You dare to touch my father!¡±


    They were both skilled in martial arts. They had taken the sses together when they were younger. They faced each other but Noah was way stronger than he was. Noah only sustained minor scratches but Jessy was bleeding. Noah flung him down the stairs and the household servants gasped in shock.


    ¡°Scram! Get out all of you!¡± he yelled and they all disappeared instantly.


    Jessy spat out blood and held Noah¡¯s hands which were almosting down on his face.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to kill me, do you?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I want to kill you right now! Why will you attack my father? I let you get away with what you did ten years ago and you had the guts to return. Do you think I will let you go this time?¡±


    ¡°Your father killed my father.¡±


    ¡°No, he didn¡¯t. Your father died of heart failure.¡±


    ¡°It was all thanks to your father.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, you idiot! He died because he couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. He couldn¡¯t believe he ran from his enemy and you caused it. You nearly killed me ten years ago and that¡¯s why your family went on exile. Now, I will kill you for what happened ten years ago and what you did to me today.¡±


    Naoh raised his hands to give him a fatal blow but he cried out,


    ¡°It¡¯s still me, Noah! You can¡¯t murder me, not after everything.¡±Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    That alone did the magic. Noah stood up from him and walked out of the house without looking back.


    News of what happened spread like wildfire. But the press and the paparazzi didn¡¯t dare publish anything rted to it for fear of the unknown. What happened reawakened everyone¡¯s initial  fear for Noah and no one dared to provoke him.


    He was a very strong man and a devoted son. He went extra miles for his father, yet, he quit when his best friend pleaded.


    When Emily heard the news, she recalled what the governess told her a few months ago.


    ¡°I left the USA in a hurry because my life was at stake. My God sonmitted a crime and offended a big man. He found sce in my ce but this man learnt that I was housing his target. I fled for my own good.


    The boy named Jessy, nearly murdered his friend and the father of the boy was after his life. The father warned me never to meddle in his  affairs or step foot into the country again. He gave me twelve hours to disappear from the USA. Jessy swore to revenge. I pleaded but he paid deaf ears. I haven¡¯t seen him in two years. This is my dying wish. If you ever find him, hand this letter to him. His picture is in it too. I am telling you this because he still has a lot to tell you.¡±


    ¡°So, this is the full story of Jessy? And Noah was that friend?¡± she questioned herself.


    Noah hired nurses for his father and made sure everything was at his disposal. He also visited his father everyday at the close of work. He often spent about two hours with him. Three days went past but there was no improvement.


    Noah was with him as usual on the fourth day when his hands moved. His eyelids fluttered and he slowly opened his eyes. He started responding to treatment from that day to Noah¡¯s greatest relief.


    Noah yed the violin and enjoyed the serenity of the garden. The past few days haven¡¯t been easy. He was trying to  juggle things up. His work, his new project, his father and of course, Benny Jones. His insomnia didn¡¯t help matters. He spent a greater part of the night awake and restless.


    He was about to drive out that morning when he saw Grace Shields in front of the house. He jammed his brakes and she hurried over. Before he could say Jack, she had gotten into his car. He kept mute and stared at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what happened. I didn¡¯t know you guys were no longer friends. It¡¯s also very¡­. Oh my! Jewel, you didn¡¯t sleepst night. Look at your eyes! What¡¯s going on?¡±


    She reached out and touched his face.


    ¡°Get your hands off my face.¡±


    ¡°I am only concerned, my jewel. What¡¯s bothering you? Is it your father? Didn¡¯t you take your pills? Or have you stopped taking pills?¡±


    She was one person who knew Noah too well.  She alone knew that Noah had insomnia and took pills for it.


    But Noah had stopped taking the pills following the doctor¡¯s instructions. He only read a book or yed the piano to pass time till nature took its course.


    Grace touched his face again and he pulled back from her.


    ¡°Grace, what do you want?¡±


    ¡°Jewel, I want you. I came back solely for you.¡±


    ¡°I am not interested. Stop showing up around me, I¡¯m getting married. Now, get out of my car.¡±


    ¡°Common jewel, don¡¯t talk like that. I only¡­¡±


    ¡°Out! Don¡¯t make me say it again.¡±


    She also knew how horrible his temper could be whenever he didn¡¯t sleep. She opened the car and left. She kept looking back to see if he would call her back but he didn¡¯t.


    Noah on his own part didn¡¯t ever want to see her again. She was his past and he didn¡¯t ever want to be reminded of the pain he felt back then.


    His inability to sleep the previous night was taking its toll on him. He felt weak and his eyelids felt heavy. He bade his father goodbye and left.


    Emily held the letter the governess had given her in her hand and made her way towards the ward. She looked and saw a figure approaching from the other end of the corridor.


    Noah Harper! What was she going to do?

 Chapter 68

    ¡°Huh? There was¡­ I thought I saw someone here? Where did she go? Oh my goodness! So myck of sleep has gotten this bad. I now see things. I need to hurry home.¡±


    Noah tried to steady his steps as he walked out of the hospital.


    ¡°Phew! That was so close. What¡¯s he doing here? Did he¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey? Who are you and what are you doing here?¡±


    Emily opened her eyes wide in shock and turned around.


    When she saw Noah approaching, the only thing that urred to her was to hide from him. She quickly entered the room by her right. Fortunately for her, the patient wasn¡¯t inside. She heard sounds in the toilet and guessed correctly that the patient was in the restroom. Noah would pass before the patient finished whatever he was doing and she would sneak off unnoticed.


    Great was her relief when she heard the sound of water in the bathroom. Whoever it is was having a bath giving her ample time to hide from Noah.


    She didn¡¯t hear the shower go off hence it came as a rude shock to her when she heard a voice behind her.


    The man had the prettiest eyes she had ever seen. He was well built and he reminded her of Noah. Water cascaded from his ck hair down his shoulders. A white towel was wrapped around his waist.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I entered the wrong room. I¡¯m sorry,¡± she apologized, bowing low. She made to leave but a hand blocked the way and shut the door.


    ¡°Wrong room! Hmmm. I see. Did you really enter the wrong room? Why were you peeping out of my door if this was the wrong room?¡±


    His gaze swept across her face and rested on her bosom making her ufortable. He looked at her lips and back at her breasts. He swallowed some saliva and licked his tongue. A sixth sense warned Emily and she began to look for escape routes.


    The man spun her around and pped her ass. Emily struggled with him but he was stronger. He pushed her to the bed and held her in ce.


    ¡°Stay calm and let me do my thing or we will do it roughly.¡±


    ¡°Let me go! Let me go!¡± Emily cried, struggling and kicking her feet in the air.


    What baffled her was the fact that there was no nurse in the room and none seemed to being. Shouting didn¡¯t help matters. She was alone in this and she was about to be raped. No! She would be traumatised for life.


    He held her legs and had them under control. He removed his towel revealing arge cock.


    That thing inside her would definitely injure her. She was tight and would barely walk in days if that man had his way. She kicked him down there and he groaned in pains, getting off her immediately.


    Emily, happy to be free sprang to the door but to her greatest dismay, the door was locked! She was doomed.


    The furious and groaning man got up and grabbed her again. He gave her some ps to pay for her deeds.


    ¡°I will deal with you today!¡±


    He ripped her t- shirt and frowned when he saw she still had a protective inner wear.


    Emily gathered some saliva in her mouth and threw it at him. That was the least she could do. The saliva found its way right into his mouth.


    ¡°Ew! Ahhh! You silly¡­ phaaa!¡±


    The man got up and hurried to the bathroom.


    Emily seized that chance to grab her phone. She tried so hard to recall the hospital number for emergency which she had seen outside.


    She dailed the number and the call connected immediately.


    ¡°Room 128 help me, I am in trouble, I am about¡­¡±


    The man came out and took the phone from her.


    ¡°No one will help you now!¡±


    A key was inserted into the key hole and the door flung open that instant.


    ¡°Sir? Oh! I¡¯m sorry!¡± the man said and turned his back immediately.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Emily couldn¡¯t believe how fortunate she was. The man frowned his face and picked his towel to cover his nakedness.


    ¡°How dare you barge into my room! How dare you! You will loose your job this moment.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry sir. The order came from above, I was¡­ we were asked toe to room 128 and handle what needs to be handled, sir. I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡±


    ¡°Above? What nonsense above are you talking about? Are you crazy? I will deal with you¡­ Damn! Get lost you fool!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir.¡±


    Emily was out long ago. The man who came to her rescue hurried to her.


    ¡°Are you okay, Miss?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. Thank you for saving me just in time.¡±


    Emily wondered who that man was. He was well respected. It made sense to her now why no nurse was in his room or in sight and why no one came to the room when she was shouting. He was someone whomanded respect and must have given orders that no one should barge into his room no matter what happens.


    ¡°Whoever is this higher up, thank you.¡±


    As they stepped out of the hospital, a security man rushed over it them.  He greeted the others and whispered something to one of them and he nodded. The man went back to report or went about his business.


    ¡°Miss, the person who sent us has requested to see you. Let¡¯s send you to him.¡±


    ¡°The person who sent you?¡±


    ¡°Yes Miss. We were notified and we hurried to your rescue, otherwise, no one vites Mr. Xavier¡¯s orders. We wouldn¡¯t have darede close to his room if we didn¡¯t receive higher orders. You need to thank him profusely when you get there.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I will.¡±


    How? She had called the hospital¡¯s emergency number. How did a high and mighty person, greater than her captor save her?


    ¡°That¡¯s him, go over and thank him, Miss.¡±


    Emily looked at the ¡®him¡¯ and was electrified on the spot. He was leaning on the car with his back to them. He was someone she could recognize even from a distance.

 Chapter 69

    Noah leaned against the car after washing his face. He wanted air to touch his face before he would drive home. He hadn¡¯te with a driver and didn¡¯t want to bother calling one at that time. He always kept his movements private.


    His personal phone rang, disrupting the silence around him. He was surprised since he wasn¡¯t expecting any call.


    ¡°Room 128, help me, I am in trouble, I am about¡­¡±


    This was all he heard, then someone¡¯s footsteps and the line went dead. The voice sounded distressed. The first thing that urred to him was to save that person. He made the necessary call and in seconds, the security was sent to rescue thedy.


    The second and most puzzling question was how the person got his personal number. He rarely came in contact with people, talk more of the opposite gender. Even Benny didn¡¯t have that number. He asked the security to bring thedy over so that he would know how she got his phone number.


    Emily looked again to be sure she wasn¡¯t dreaming or seeing wrongly. The man turned around and she saw his face clearly. She wasn¡¯t mistaken. It was Noah Harper. He returned to his initial position.


    She dailed the hospital line not Noah¡¯s. She knew she was indebted to him at this point but she wasn¡¯t prepared to meet him.


    ¡°Emmm! Send my greetings to him. Tell him I appreciate him greatly and won¡¯t ever forget this good deed. I have to go now,¡± she said to the men and hurried away.


    The men were surprised but they didn¡¯t stop her. She must be very close to the boss and must be treated with caution and maximum respect.


    ¡°She left sir. She said we should thank you for her and promised never to forget your kindness.¡±


    ¡°She left?¡±


    Noah looked towards the gate and saw a slender and curvy figure walk out in a rush.


    ¡°Is that her?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Alright, you may leave.¡±


    ¡°This is strange. She has my personal number which very few people have and she didn¡¯t even say thank you directly. What¡¯s with her?¡±


    He looked at the number again on his phone and shurged.


    Emily sat in the taxi and tried to calm her racing heart. She studied the number she called again andpared it with the hospital number which she had seen correctly just now. It wasn¡¯t the same. She had made a very big mistake. She had misced the digits entirely but thanks to that, she was saved on time.


    She pressed the red button, ¡®block¡¯ and quickly blocked the number, then she deleted it. She heaved a sigh of relief. He wouldn¡¯t get her now.


    Her letter? Had she lost it?


    She looked around for her letter and found it squezzed up in her pocket. It was still safe. She would go again another day.


    Three dayster, she went back to the hospital. After the necessary check in process, she was allowed to enter the wards. She located Jessy¡¯s room and smiled.


    She knocked lightly and entered. He turned when he heard her enter. He looked at her with an expressionless face.


    ¡°Good day, Mr. Jessy. Governess Shields sent me to you.¡±


    ¡°Governess Shields?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she did.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Emily gave the letter to him. He tore it open and read it with an inscrutable expression on his face. After reading it, he tore it into tiny pieces and flung it at her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever appear in front of me again, you can ry what ever message you like to the governess. No one will tell me how to run my life and affairs. Now, out of my room.¡±


    Emily looked at him in shock. She didn¡¯t know the contents of the letter and she didn¡¯t see this hostile reactioning.


    ¡°Are you by any chance deaf? Youngdy, get out! Get lost this instant before Iy my hands on you.¡±


    Emily turned and walked away calmly, shutting the door behind her.


    ¡°Nonsense. Governess Shields every time. I have made my stance clear. I will do what I like. Why can¡¯t this woman just hear it and put it into her head?¡± Jessy mummered as he looked ath the shredded paper on the floor. He picked it up and continued shredding them to make sure that they are too tiny and can¡¯t be read or arranged back. He would ask a nurse to get it burnt soon.


    ¡°Mummy, can you take me to the park tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Ehhh, let me check my schedule. Ohhh! It¡¯s a free day and weekend tomorrow. I will take you to there baby.¡±


    ¡°Thank you mummy! I love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you too, sweetheart.¡±


    She continued her work and after some time, she picked her phone and asked Liam,


    ¡°Have you heard from Aunty Yanxi?¡±


    ¡°No mummy, you talk to her often, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I do, but I haven¡¯t heard from her in days. I haven¡¯t had time to call her and I¡¯m sure she might be worried.¡±


    ¡°Oh my! Emily, I thought something had happened to you!¡±


    ¡°Huh? Yanxi, how could you think like that?¡±


    ¡°Why? I haven¡¯t heard from you in days and I can¡¯t even reach you. Did something happen to your phone? Was it stolen and all numbers cklisted? Tell me, what happened?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been trying to call me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I think you have cklisted my number. Why? What happened?¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°There must be a mix up somewhere. How can I cklist your number? Who else do I have?¡±


    ¡°Aww! Now she is ttering me.¡±


    ¡°Common, don¡¯t say that. You know I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°Whatever! So, how are you doing? I hope no one is making things difficult for you?¡±


    ¡°No one for now. It¡¯s just that Noah keeps appearing. You won¡¯t believe what happened today. He saved my ass. I would have been in big trouble!¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Emily proceeded to narrate what happened to Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°Are you sure he won¡¯te after you? Did he see your face? He still has your number!¡±

 Chapter 70

    Emily shook like a leaf. This was the first time Gu Yanxi ever had cause to panic.


    ¡°I blocked his number. I did that immediately. I hope nothing will happen.¡±


    ¡°Ohhh! I¡¯m very relieved now. Nothing will happen since it has been blocked. He can¡¯t trace you. Rx and enjoy your work. How¡¯s your work going by the way?¡±


    ¡°Everything is alright.¡±


    Noah stirred on his bed after a refreshing sleep. He slept for a long time and only woke up the following day. The book he was reading the previous dayy on his bed in a sorry state. He had slept on top of it and the pages were now rumpled. He took it and straightened it. He had a special interest in the book. It was a mystery and detective book. He still had it in his mind to investigate his sister and also find Emily. He will never give up on these two things. The book helped him to think far and wide on various ways to unravel mysteries and catch criminals.


    The cool water from the shower hit his body just the way he wanted it, calming his nerves. His father was recuperating, though slowly.


    He stepped out of the bathroom and his phone rang almost at the same time.


    ¡°Sir, your father requested to see you,¡± one of the nurses informed him.


    ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°This morning sir.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Noah ate a simple breakfast of tea and bread quickly. He lifted his cup of tea to his lips and suddenly paused. He remembered the woman from the previous day. After he returned that evening, he wanted to look her up and find out about her but he was too tired to keep his hands on hisptop. He forgot about her afterwards. He didn¡¯t want to send anyone to do it, he wanted to do it himself.


    ¡°Some things are best kept private and personal,¡± he reasoned.


    He would deal with the number when he returned. He buttoned his shirt and stood in front of a mirror. He smiled at what he saw. He was very handsome, no doubt. He arranged his hair once more to entuate his appearance and walked out of the house.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Mummy! Aren¡¯t you ready yet?¡± Liam asked for the umpteenth time that morning.


    ¡°I¡¯ming. I¡¯m almost done. Let me finish this design.¡±


    ¡°Why is it taking time?¡± Liam asked suddenly appearing in front of her. His impatience made him enter her room.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to get nicer designs to add but I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening.¡±


    ¡°Can I help?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how to do¡­¡±


    She then remembered how he helped her with her settings that day. She nodded and he took the mouse.


    He was done soon. He debugged the site and sessfully found what she was looking for. She stared at her son in awe.


    ¡°His father must be a genius.¡±


    Somehow, she wanted to meet him, she wanted to know who¡¯s got the brains he inherited. She was proud of him and also d that she didn¡¯t terminate the pregnancy.


    ¡°Can we go now, mummy?¡±


    ¡°Right. Lead the way.¡±


    Emily looked really stunning as she walked out of the house, hand in hand with her son.


    So many eyes were on them and a lot of people admired the mother and son pair.


    There were different games to y at the park. Liam ran around and yed with other kids.


    ¡°Be careful, don¡¯t hurt yourself,¡± his mother warned.


    She sat herself on a seat and operated her phone.


    ¡°Mummy, let¡¯s go and ride the roller coaster.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not safe, baby. It will spin you around and you might get a headache.¡±


    ¡°No mum. I won¡¯t, I will be fine, let¡¯s go,¡± he pleaded half pulling her along.


    She thought of another excuse to give him but found none. She used to be afraid of roller coasters as a child and she wasn¡¯t sure if she was brave now.


    ¡°How about we try another game? There are other games here you will enjoy.¡±


    ¡°No mummy. I want that one,¡± he cried with tears welling up in his eyes.


    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go.¡±


    The tears vanished quickly from his eyes and it was reced with a broad smile.


    She paid for the tickets and they entered. It wasn¡¯t as scary as she thought. It was fun. Liam looked very happy when they came down and his happiness warmed and brought joy to Emily¡¯s heart.


    As she turned to go back to her seat, someone touched her shoulder.


    ¡°Davis! Oh my goodness!¡± she screamed and ran into his embrace.


    ¡°My baby girl has grown so big! Wow!¡±


    Emily pouted and whispered,


    ¡°I am not a baby.¡±


    They bothughed.  Davis and Emily attended the same high school. They were very good friends although Davis was two years above her. Davis left the country a few months after graduation and lost contact with Emily three months after he travelled.


    Liam was a few paces away from them ying with a little boy of his age.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I came to have fun of course, with him,¡± she answered pointing at her son.


    ¡°Who¡¯s he?¡±


    ¡°My son.¡±


    ¡°Your son? You¡¯re married?¡±


    ¡°Divorced.¡±


    ¡°Phew. I almost got a heart attack.¡±


    ¡°And why?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡±


    Emily threw him a friendly lunch and they burst into another round ofughter.


    ¡°I¡¯m so d I met you here. Thanks goodness I chose today toe here.¡±


    ¡°Where have you been all these years?¡±


    ¡°A lot has happened my dear. Before you slip away again, let me have your contact before we get carried away with our conversation.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s smoking hot. Just look at his eyes.¡±


    ¡°Ahhhhhh. I¡¯m horny already by just looking at him. He must be so good in bed.¡±


    ¡°Can he just look in our direction? Aww. This is my dream man.¡±


    Somewhere in the park, some girls got carried away by the appearance of a very handsome man. He looked dignified and formidable. He was alone and they wished he could turn and say hi to any of them or probably ask them for directions. They would be more than d to help.


    ¡°Oh my God! Wait. It¡¯s President Harper!¡±

 Chapter 71

    A hush fell over them.


    ¡°Oh! He¡¯s so lucky. He¡¯s handsome and rich. I wish he would marry me!¡±


    ¡°Marry you? Tsk tsk! He¡¯s got a fianc¨¦e.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°When are they getting married?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t he gay?¡±


    He didn¡¯t turn or notice them. His eyes were focused on the road and path he walked on. Everyone cleared the way for him as he passed. Many of them wondered what could bring that great man to an ordinary park.


    Someone tripped over Liam and fell on him.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± he cried. He was squatting and drawing lines on the floor when he was bumped into. His legs ached seriously.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Liam noticed people were staring and making way for someone.


    Mister Noah!


    He ran towards him.


    ¡°Oh my! Whose son is that?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Can his mother hold him? He shouldn¡¯t obstruct the President.¡±


    ¡°Hey! Lad!¡±


    Liam didn¡¯t hear them. His entire focus was on getting to Noah. He got there and tapped his hand. The people around, who noticed what was going on stopped and stared. They wanted to see what would happen. They knew that no news about him would be spread as no news man or paparazzi wanted to risk his life. Noah was now feared all the more after what happened with Jessy.


    The household servants, onlookers in the hospital and those who helped rush Jessy to the hospital had told the story to the world. Even though many people knew the story, they didn¡¯t dare to voice it out.


    Noah turned in the direction he felt the hand tap him. It was his little friend. He patted his head and held his hands to the surprise of the onlookers.


    ¡°How are you, little man?¡±


    Liam smiled at the new name.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine and you?¡±


    ¡°Great too.¡±


    ¡°Did youe to y too?¡±


    Noahughed.


    ¡°Oh no! I don¡¯t have time for things like this. I came to survey  this site to see how suitable it is for my new project.¡±


    Noah took his hands and continued his journey, talking as they went.


    ¡°Do you want to make the park bigger? Then I woulde to y here every weekend!¡±


    ¡°No. Sadly, I want to embark on a project on this piece ofnd. The park will be moved elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh. It¡¯s in a nice ce. The scenario and everything is good.¡±


    ¡°It will be reced at the new site, don¡¯t worry. You will still have somewhere to y. I¡¯m only going to take this ce if it looks okay to me. I¡¯m not done exploring.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ as the boss, why did youe yourself? You could have sent someone, couldn¡¯t you?¡±


    Noah looked at him for some seconds before he answered.


    ¡°Yes, I could have but I came myself because I want to supervise the project to my taste. I want to choose a good plot myself and not hand the responsibility to someone.¡±


    ¡°Ohh. It makes sense now.¡±


    ¡°But kid, why are you always alone? Where are your parents? Or did youe to the park alone?¡±


    ¡°Haha. There is no way I wille alone. That¡¯s my mum sitting there.¡±


    Noah turned but didn¡¯t see anyone.


    ¡°Huh! She was just here before I left to see you. She was beside me while I was drawing on the sand. Don¡¯t worry Mister, I will bring her to see you when next youe.¡±


    Noah smiled. What if he never came again? He was a busy person and seldom had time for things like this. He didn¡¯t want the boy to be disappointed.


    ¡°Alright. I will see your mum next time.¡±


    The boy smiled. Noah sent him off after the tour and he ran off to find his mother. He saw her still seated with Davis.


    ¡°Mummy,¡± he called with a frown on his face. Emily paused her conversation and turned to him. She saw the frown on his face and her heart skipped a beat. Did something happen to him?


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°I was looking for you earlier but I didn¡¯t find you. My friend wanted to see you.¡±


    ¡°Which friend? Why will a child be looking for your mum? Don¡¯t worry, go and y. I will see your friend before we go.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a child. It was mister Noah and he has gone.¡±


    Emily, who got scared at the mention of Noah, felt relieved to hear that he had gone. Noah was just everywhere.


    ¡°Alright, don¡¯t go hanging around that man next time.¡±


    Liam gave her a puzzled look and before he could ask his question, she cut in,


    ¡°He¡¯s very busy and might not like to be disturbed, okay?¡±


    She had prepared the excuse beforehand. She didn¡¯t want him to know that this man was her ex husband and he was possibly looking for her.


    ¡°Okay mummy. Can I have an ice cream, please?¡±


    Emily gave him some money and he jogged away happily to the amusement of Davis.


    ¡°You have such a lovely son.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°As lovely as his mother.¡±


    Emily smiled, Davis and his unending jocr remarks.


    ¡°We have a lot of catch up to do. How about we fix maybe lunch or dinner at your convenience so we can talk things over?¡±


    ¡°That would be very nice.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s see if it will be within the week, I will check my schedule and let you know. It has to be a date and time convenient for both of us.¡±


    Liam went straight to bed after their return from the park. He had so much fun that he was extremely tired.


    Emily was very happy to reunite with Davis. She double checked to be sure she saved his number. She recalled what Gu Yanxi told her the previous day. She checked her cklisted numbers and it was Gu Yanxi she cklisted!


    How did she do that? She searched for Noah¡¯s number but it was nowhere to be found. She had cklisted Gu Yanxi in his ce and she had already deleted the number. There was no way she could retrieve it to make sure it¡¯s cklisted. He could still call or track her down!

 Chapter 72

    ¡°We are very sorry, Miss Muxin. We will like to request that you increase your stay here by a week. Our top client whom you are designing for will be away on a business trip. He has requested we ask you to spend one more week.¡±


    ¡°But the duration of my work is a maximum of three weeks and it¡¯s almost due.¡±


    ¡°We apologize for inconveniences, Miss. The client will love to see the design after it has beenpleted but he is to travel during the weekend. His fianc¨¦e alone can¡¯t make the decision, it¡¯s a joint decision. He promised to add extra money for you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want your money. This is a breach of contract.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is; that¡¯s why we want topensate you and make it up to you. Time is money and we understand that this one week will be keeping you from other jobs. He has promised to add five million dors to the initial amount we offered you.¡±


    A whopping sum of five million dors! This was a nice bargain. It wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea to spend an extra week for that great sum.


    ¡°The only problem will be Noah. I don¡¯t know how to spend the next week out of his sight. He¡¯s like air, he¡¯s everywhere.¡±


    ¡°He will be a minor issue. Just live your normal life and whenever he confronts you, remember who you are. You are now a new Emily, a celebrated and famous designer. You can¡¯t be afraid of him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s easy for you to say because you don¡¯t know how respected he is. He¡¯s even more famous than Liu Yen in China.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Yeah, that¡¯s true. I once heard of his fame here, I forgot. But that not withstanding. If anything happens, let me know. I wille and help you out.¡±


    ¡°You are really funny. Thanks for always having my back.¡±


    ¡°You have done well, dear child. You are a true child of your father.¡±


    ¡°Thanks Dad,¡± Tessy answered.


    Filled with rage and hatred for Jayden, she had carried out her father¡¯s instructions. She had gone ahead to start buying shares in thepany and has acquired arge number of shares.


    ¡°I hope you will keep your promise, father.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I will. It¡¯s a solemn promise.¡±


    That morning, as she entered her father¡¯s office and pledged her loyalty and willingness to join forces with him in order to take over Jace group, he made her a promise.


    ¡°Once we clench power, and thepany bes ours, I will hand it over to you. It will be your sole possession and you will not have to share it with your brother. He will take over the family business while Jace group will be solely yours.¡±


    She was thrilled by the offer and worked even harder to take over thepany. She wanted to deal with Jayden for having the effrontery to cheat even in her presence.


    ¡°You are so sweet, as always,¡± Jayden said caressing Pearl¡¯s naked breasts. She smiled and kissed him. It had be a regr routine. It was a weekly ritual. She came to his office at least once a week to have fun. Jayden never failed to ¡®service¡¯ her well each time she came and this made her long for him very much.


    He spun her around with great expertise and entered her from behind making her let out a moan that was music to his ears. He loved the sound of her moans against his ears.


    He sat on his seat going through files when Pearl emerged from the inner office after their pleasant moment. He smiled at her as she walked gracefully to him. She nted a kiss on his lips and he ced her on hisp. He pulled out some crispy notes from his drawers and handed them to her.


    ¡°You have pleased me so well, take care of yourself my love.¡±


    She took the money and gave him another kiss.


    ¡°I will give you more styles next time.¡±


    ¡°Naughty girl, you are distracting me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m off. Bye!¡±


    ¡°Love you!¡±


    As she was leaving, she bumped into Jayden¡¯s secretary who wasing into Jayden¡¯s office. He gave her a discreet and questionable look. He wondered what she came to the office to do every week.


    ¡°I will find out some day,¡± he said within.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Sir, a shareholder is buying shares inrge numbers.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Grey Height.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. Stop public sale of shares till further notice. No one is allowed to buy shares in suspiciousrge numbers. That¡¯s not good for thepany, look into it and get enough information.¡±Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°Alright  sir.¡±


    ¡°I will reward you for this important finding.¡±


    ¡°Thank you sir,¡± the secretary bowed low, and left the office with a satisfied look on his face. He had just gotten a free bonus. He swore to add more effort to earn more bonuses from his boss.


    ¡°Baby, I missed you so much,¡± Benny eximed with a thrill in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m back now and you have me all to yourself.¡±


    ¡°Awnnn! That sounds sweet.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go and see the wedding dress now, shall we?¡±


    ¡°Goodness me! Baby! I can¡¯t believe that¡¯sing from you.¡±


    ¡°I asked the fashion designer to wait one more week and we have to hurry up. Keeping her for an extra week is enough, let¡¯s set off.¡±


    Noah held her hands tenderly and they walked to the car. Benny felt like a queen. This has always been her dream, to be with President Noah, to have him all to herself. Now that she was one step away, she would do anything to keep him.


    Emily tidied her desk and looked at the design draft for the hundredth time. She remembered Gu Yanxi¡¯s words of confidence,


    ¡°Come on! Don¡¯t be tensed, this is your specialty and you have done it so well.¡±


    There was a gentle tap on the door. She looked around the office again to make sure nothing was amiss. She already knew it was her clients.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    And the door opened from outside ushering in the visitors.

 Chapter 73

    ¡°Good day, sir,¡± Emily greeted.


    Her words stuck in her mouth when she saw who she greeted.


    ¡°Here, president Noah, that¡¯s the famous designer. You will surely like her designs, they are grand and unique,¡± the manager took pains to exin but Noah wasn¡¯t listening. He was staring at Emily. He walked past the manager and stood right in front of  her, facing her squarely.


    ¡°You? Butterfly Designs?¡±


    Emily swallowed and said nothing.


    ¡°Have you lost the ability to speak?¡±


    ¡°Baby, do you know her?¡±


    Noah didn¡¯t take his eyes off Emily even for a second. The manager looked on as well, hoping that Noah would  answer Benny¡¯s question which was coincidentally the same he had in mind.


    He turned to the manager,


    ¡°You may leave.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, sir.¡±


    ¡°Can we see your designs?¡± Noah questioned.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Emily showed them her lovely designs.


    ¡°Wow! This is so beautiful!¡± Benny eximed. She loved the designs so much. She imagined Tessy filled with rage when she sees her in the gown. The dress will be the talk of the town for a very long time. What more could she ask for?


    Within him, Noah knew those designs were the best he had evere across. He too wanted to exim and say aloud how nice the design was. But he wasn¡¯t going to let Emily off so easily.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t well done. You will repeat my own clothes. I don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°Baby, this is perfect.¡±


    ¡°Benny, it needs a little more work and it will be perfect. It won¡¯t take time to get done.¡±


    ¡°Alright sir. I will work on it. May I know what exactly you want me to change or adjust?¡±


    ¡°Everything.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Pre.. sir?¡±


    ¡°Yes, everything. Is there a problem?¡±


    ¡°Not at all sir. I will work on it soon.¡±


    Noah smiled in his heart. He would give her no rest.


    ¡°See me in my house tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± she blurted out.


    Noah looked at his fianc¨¦e and back at her.


    ¡°Unfailingly too.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Benny.¡±


    Benny followed him with a puzzled look.


    ¡°Do you know that designer?¡±she asked but got no response.


    ¡®Why did he react that way when he first saw her? Is she another of my rivals? No! She can¡¯t be, she¡¯s a foreigner. Ohhh! Silly me. He told her toe to his house and didn¡¯t give her any address. How is that?¡¯ Benny questioned herself endlessly.


    Noah on his own part was disturbed.


    How did Emily, who had gone missing for five years be right  at his fingertips? It infuriated him all the more that he couldn¡¯t catch her. She dared to divorce him and still made him look for her all those years without any achievement. Now that she was back, he will make her pay for her sins for the past five  years.


    Emily was sweating profusely even when the air conditioner was on and buzzing away. Noah has finally found her. He must have been searching so hard for her all those years as she rightly guessed. She has no escape, she will have to go to his house the following day.


    She was allowed into thepound and ushered to the garden as Noah had pre instructed. She sat down thinking about any possible reason Noah had to invite her.


    He walked into the garden a few minutester. He smelt fresh from the shower and a servant was beside him, carrying a file. She dropped the file on the table and left them alone.


    They both sat in silence for  three minutes. Emily was in great difort but Noah was unperturbed.


    ¡°Where did you get the guts from? How dare you!¡± his calm expression was changing slowly to a fierce one.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡±


    He took out a paper from the file and pushed it to her.


    ¡°You signed a two year contract with me and  ended up sending divorce letter after a year and half, huh?¡±


    ¡°We are no longer married, and I won¡¯t answer to you.¡±


    ¡°Huh? You don¡¯t answer to me? So you realize it¡¯s a breach of contract and read these consequences again!¡±


    Emily recalled that there were consequences stated in the contract when she signed it nearly seven years ago.


    ¡°Whatever is the case, the two years are already over and we are divorced now.¡±


    Noah stared at her in surprise. She was now brave. Seven years ago, she couldn¡¯t even look him straight in the eyes, but here she was exchanging words with him.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t change the fact that¡­¡±


    ¡°It does, we are no longer together.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare interrupt me next time!¡± Noah was still the same. He hated interruptions and counter opinion.


    ¡°If I ever find out that you did something wrong, or you did something to tarnish my public image in those eighteen months, I will make you pay double!¡±


    Emily remembered her son. What would Noah say if he finds out that she got pregnant for another while still married to him? How will he react if he finds the son?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything out of ce. What do you want?¡±


    ¡°I see. You are now brave, strong and outspoken. Sounds good.¡±


    Noah opened the files and went through the papers gradually. He found what he was looking for and gave it to her.


    ¡°Read carefully.¡±


    She took the paper and opened it.


    ¡°What? Why will you make me do this? I won¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°This is only minorpared to the consequences which you agreed to.¡±


    Emily saw that he wasn¡¯t lying. She had signed the contract that year because that was the only hope for her and was also all that could save her from a terrible marriage with Jayden.


    She looked up at him and met him staring at her with a bit of anger and hatred in his eyes.


    ¡°I won¡¯t ept these conditions!¡±


    ¡°Do you by any chance want us to go by the former?¡±


    She looked at the papers on the table and spotted the divorce papers. She raised it up and screamed,


    ¡°For goodness sake, we are finally divorced.¡±


    She turned the paper and observed it carefully. Noah¡¯s signature wasn¡¯t on it!

 Chapter 74

    ¡°You haven¡¯t signed it yet?¡±


    ¡°Give it to me. I was meaning to sign it,¡± he defended. He took the paper, endorsed his signature on it and returned it to its original position.


    ¡°These conditions are outrageous. I won¡¯t ept them.¡±


    ¡°Then, would you prefer the former?¡±


    The former was drafted in Noah¡¯s full rage at that time. He was mad at her for framing him. His mindset hadn¡¯t changed even at that time.


    ¡°I¡¯m only being lenient. You wanted to dent my image, I proposed a contract for you, since you wanted to have me so badly. Yet, you had the effrontery to send me divorce papers, how dare you!¡±


    ¡°I¡­ you¡­ we are divorced now, let me have my peace.¡±


    ¡°Only after you fulfil the requirements of the new contract will I let you go.¡±


    Emily stared at him speechlessly.


    ¡°Be at my office tomorrow, Ten o¡¯clock in the morning. You can leave.¡±


    ¡°What for? Why do I need to be at your office?¡±


    ¡°Do as I say. You must obey my biddings from now on. Leave my house.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean you still haven¡¯t found out who she is?¡±


    ¡°We have, sir. She¡¯s a foreign fashion designer on a contract with Donmackpanies.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Xavier had searched for Emily after that incident. He swore not to rest until he found her and had his way.


    ¡°Bring her before me as soon as possible!¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    His men trailed her and found out about her movements. She was cornered at a quiet street and was forced into a car.


    The man who was holding her was suddenly dealt a tremendous blow. The second man became fully alert and ready to fight but her ¡®Messiah¡¯ conquered him too.


    ¡°Davis?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s quickly leave this ce.¡±


    She followed him back to her car and he drove off. She stared at him with a thousand and one questions on her mind.


    ¡°How did he realize she was in trouble ande to her rescue without her asking for it? How did he know this ce? Was he following her?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°I saw you at Harbour restaurant with a dejected look on your face. I was with a client and before I could dismiss him, you left. I followed your car at a safe distance, to make sure you get home safely and also find out what the problem is. That¡¯s how I was able to save you from those men,¡± he answered the questions before she asked. He focused on the road and the look on his face clearly stated that he was tired and didn¡¯t want any more questions.


    ¡°Thank you, I¡¯m grateful.¡±


    He rubbed her hands tenderly and smiled at her.


    ¡°We are here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, thanks for saving me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me over and over. What are friends for? I have another meeting tonight.¡±


    He took her hands and pressed the keys against her hands.


    ¡°Go in and rest.¡±


    ¡°You can take my car to the meeting, and go back to get yourster.¡±


    ¡°My driver will take care of that. He will bring the car here, don¡¯t let it bother you.¡±


    There was something about Davis that was different that night but she couldn¡¯t ce her hand on it.


    ¡°Alright. Thank you again.¡±


    Davis pulled her into his embrace and nted a kiss on her forehead. He left afterwards.


    Emilyy on her bed in silence. Noah has finally found her and she knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy to work as his assistant for three weeks as he requested. She didn¡¯t want to be around him at all.


    ¡°If I ever find out that you did something wrong, or you did something to tarnish my public image in those eighteen months, I will make you pay double!¡±


    She remembered what Noah said and it made her shiver. She had to hide her son from him.


    ¡°Get me a cup of coffee,¡± Noah said without raising his head from hisptop.


    Emily looked at him in annoyance. Why will he ask her to get him a cup of coffee when he has a secretary?


    Hearing no sound from Emily, he turned to her.


    ¡°What stops you from going? Is there a problem?¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    ¡°You will attend a meeting with me at two.¡±


    ¡°But.. I still have to go to Donmack to draft you a new design.¡±


    ¡°You will draft the new design from here. Have you gone through the files?¡±


    ¡°Why are you doing this? You have a secretary, don¡¯t you? You have no reason to keep me by your side. While we were married, you left me all by myself but now I have divorced you, you are keeping me as your assistant. Why is that?¡±


    ¡°The sess of my new project is the only thing that will make me let you go. Do as I say for two weeks and I will let you go. You will agree with me that it¡¯s a minor thingpared to our initial agreement. You dared to divorce me before the contract period was over.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Go through the files and let me know what you think. You can leave after that but be back at two.¡±


    Noah sipped his coffee with relish and went on with his work. Emily took the file and went to her office which was next to Noah¡¯s. Only a ss wall seperated their office. From where he sat, he could see her clearly.


    It¡¯s going to be a slow process but he will make her pay for what she did five years ago.


    ¡°And you epted?¡±


    ¡°Yanxi, I had no choice. The initial contract we signed is horrible. He was filled with rage when he first proposed the contract to me, hence the consequences of a breach of contract was terrible. I had no choice when I got pregnant, that¡¯s why I divorced him.¡±


    ¡°I understand that you had no choice but you can¡¯t submit to him. I will not have anyone treat you as they like or make you do their bidding. I aming to the USA.¡±

 Chapter 75

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how it happened, dad. Thepany has stopped the sale of shares.¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°This is serious, what do we do now?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know dad. Is there any other way we can get thepany from them or do we just let them be?¡±


    ¡°Never! I helped them rise to their feet because I wanted thepany to myself. Listen, you will find out from him why the sale of shares was stopped.¡±


    ¡°How will I do that without arousing suspicion? How will I exin the knowledge that they have stopped selling shares?¡±


    ¡°I know I have a smart daughter. Figure it out and do it your own way.¡±


    Tessy thought of how best to present the issue. She seldom spoke to Jayden and bringing up that topic might look fishy. She thought of spiking his drink. It seemed  like a very perfect n to her.


    That evening, she watched as he took a bottle of wine and wine ss into his study. She knew his usual routine. Not long after, he entered the adjoining room to pick a book. Tessy sneaked in and added something to his drink. She slipped away unnoticed. He returned to his study and sipped his drink slowly without suspecting anything. After about half an hour, the drug started having effects on him. He staggered into the room and went straight to bed. When Tessy felt he was out of consciousness, she tapped him and he answered drowsily.


    ¡°Jayden?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Did you order the suspension of the sale of shares?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Someone was buying shares inrge quantities.¡±


    Tessy then let him be after getting the answers she needed. She would ry the message to her father and they would know the next line of action.


    Jayden woke up with a headache the next morning. He could not remember clearly but he remembered talking to Tessy about shares.


    ¡°How did she know something about shares in hispany?¡±


    He turned to her and she stared back at him. She didn¡¯t look suspicious in any way. Nevertheless, he decided to be wary of her.


    ¡°So it¡¯s you. You were thedy that day. I saved your sorry ass and you didn¡¯t deem it fit to thank me properly,¡± was the statement Noah used to usher her into his office that morning.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Noah turned theptop towards her. He looked up the number and found out she was the one.


    ¡°A week ago, you called me to save you at the hospital. How did you get my number?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­ it was a mistake. I wanted to call the hospital but I misced the figures. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t thank you personally. Thank you so much for saving mest week.¡±


    ¡°Just that?¡±


    ¡°Do you want anything more? Were there strings attached to your rescue?¡±


    ¡°Yes, because you didn¡¯t thank me when you were supposed to.¡±


    ¡°Then what¡­¡±


    ¡°How about the documents? What do you have to say about it?¡±


    ¡°The n is good but there is  need for little adjustments in some areas. For the sess of that work, you have to deal on a lot of varieties to satisfy the consumers at different times. You can also make provision for their transportation around the building. The position of the goods needs to be looked into. Essentialmodities will have to stay down while others will be on other floors.¡±


    ¡°Wow! I forgot you majored in business administration. Is there any other thing you will like to say?¡±


    ¡°I am merely suggesting.¡±


    ¡°Yh. I know.  I hope you put these suggestions in writing?


    ¡°Yes, I did.¡±


    ¡°Ok. You may leave.¡±


    She turned to leave and her eye fell on the picture in the office. It was her son and Noah.


    She remembered when her son showed the picture to her when he returned from hispetition the previous year. Noah wasn¡¯t someone who kept pictures around him. When she first came to his office seven years ago, there wasn¡¯t any picture of him with anyone. It was just one of his pictures and that of very beautiful flowers hanging on the wall. Even in his house, it was just random artistic designs and no human portrait. She wondered what made him ce that picture in the center of his office.


    Noah was impressed with what she said. She has proved to be the perfect assistant for his new project. He smiled, he made a right choice of agreement with her. He didn¡¯t know she was that smart. He made ns to put her reviews into consideration.


    Emily attended a few meetings with him and Benny frowned at it.  Noah seldom had time for her now and whenever she brought up the issue, he would ask her to give him some time to round up his project.


    She fixed an appointment with Emily that evening.


    ¡°Miss Muxin, I will like you to double your efforts so that the cloth will be ready in a few days.¡±


    ¡°I will do that. Do you want any changes on your own dress?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s alright. Just be quick with Noah¡¯s. He asked me to ry this message to you.¡±


    ¡°I will.¡±


    If Noah had wanted her to hasten up, he could have told her personally. Instead, he focused more on his project.


    Emily guessed she was not happy that she was around her fianc¨¦e. She didn¡¯t me her, Noah was handsome, rich and famous and was every woman¡¯s dream. She too didn¡¯t want to be around Noah but she had no choice.


    ¡°Mummy! It¡¯s almost time, Aunty Yanxi will soon be back.¡±


    ¡°Go downstairs, I will join you in a jiffy.¡±


    ¡°Alright mummy.¡±


    Gu Yanxi made ns and travelled out of China. Fortunately, she obtained a leave and she came down to the USA to join Emily. She said she wasn¡¯t going to let Noah order her friend around because he was a billionaire and because of a silly contract.


    Emily and her son waited for Gu Yanxi at the airport. Coincidentally, Noah was there as well. He saw Liam standing a few paces away from Emily.

 Chapter 76

    Is she his mother?


    He was still contemting when Liam ran off and hugged another person. He must have been mistaken. He continued his business.


    Gu Yanxi settled down in the USA. She knew English to an extent, somunication wasn¡¯t much of a problem to her.


    She was seated in the living room with Emily, making ns for the evening.


    ¡°How about you take me to a very nice hotel this evening? I want to make the best of my stay here.¡±


    ¡°So that you will disappear again?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± sheughed.


    ¡°I won¡¯t. I was only carried away by Jessy¡¯s good looks and eloquence.¡±


    ¡°You will still be carried away too.¡±


    ¡°Jessy is the only one in my mind. I will search Google map for a nice ce to go tonight. Let¡¯s have fun, I am here now and you will have nothing to worry about.¡±


    Emily¡¯s phone rang and it was Noah Harper.


    ¡°Good day, President Noah.¡±


    Gu Yanxi frowned when she heard the greeting.


    ¡°That jerk,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°But, I have other ns this evening,¡± she protested


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that. I will send the driver to pick you up at seven.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Gu Yanxi interrupted.


    ¡°She has ns with me. Why will you pick her at seven? What for?¡±


    Emily begged her silently to keep calm but she won¡¯t. Noah didn¡¯t respond to her ranting.


    ¡°She¡¯s going no where tonight and that¡¯s final.¡±


    The line went dead.


    ¡°Yanxi! Why will you do that?¡±


    ¡°You need to let that man know that you are now a public figure and not the Emily he knew before. He can¡¯t order you around. We have ns this evening and I won¡¯t let him ruin it.¡±


    ¡°Yanxi please, you¡­¡±


    ¡°I understand. Let me handle it. If you arefortable with him because of a contract, I am  not. I have to take responsibility, afterall it was me who persuaded you toe to USA.¡±


    ¡°Help me keep Liam out of sight this evening. I don¡¯t want Noah to know his identity.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    At exactly seven o¡¯clock that evening, Noah¡¯s car was parked in front of her house. The driver honked his horn and Gu Yanxi came out.


    ¡°Emily isn¡¯t going.¡±


    Noah recognized the voice as the person who was shouting over the phone. For some reason he didn¡¯t know, he didn¡¯t pick offence. He only watched her yell without uttering a word. When she was done, he said,


    ¡°Go in and call Emily. I don¡¯t want to wait long.¡±


    ¡°What a silly jerk. Didn¡¯t he hear all she had said?¡± she wondered.


    ¡°I said she¡¯s not going.¡±


    Noah stared at her coldly. His deep and mean gaze sent shivers down her spine but she quickly shook it off. She came prepared.


    ¡°Youngdy, don¡¯t get me offended. I will not say it twice. Go and call her or get out of my presence.¡±


    His words still had the same effect as they used to have. It always made people obey. Gu Yanxi now understood why it was always hard for Emily to challenge him.


    She was still standing there when Emily emerged from the house. She looked at Gu Yanxi with a silent apology in her eyes.


    Emily got into the car and Noah ordered the driver to move. His cold gaze swept over Gu Yanxi again as they drove off.


    She was really daring. From the way she spoke, be could make out she was a foreigner.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Noah returned to his houseter that night and met Benny in his house.


    ¡°Why are you here thiste?¡±


    ¡°Baby! Is that the first thing you will say to me?¡±


    ¡°Answer my question.¡±


    ¡°I came to see you, baby. I have missed you. You no longer give me attention.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I have been busy. I will ask the driver to drop you off. It¡¯ste.¡±


    ¡°I want to stay here with you.¡±


    ¡°No, just go back.¡±


    She deliberately moved closer to him, preventing him from going upstairs. She ced her hands on his chest and rubbed her head on him.


    ¡°Noah, I haven¡¯t been sleeping welltely. I want to be by your side.¡±


    ¡°You will someday. I will get the driver now, go with him.¡±


    Benny stared at his retreating figure and frowned her face. Why was he pushing her away? It was Grace Shields thest time, now it was this designer.


    Noah didn¡¯te downstairs again. Just as he said, his driver took her home ording to Noah¡¯s instructions.


    She took out the ring from her jewellery box where she stored it some months ago. Noah promised to get married to her because she had this ring. She was going to make sure he marries her. She would ask him about his cloth and always bring up topics about their wedding. She would ask him to fix a date and make it public. She believed that once he deres to the public that she¡¯s his fianc¨¦e, and the wedding date fixed, no woman will stand in her way.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe that jerk ignored me and made sure you came down.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I told you previously to let go, he can¡¯t be challenged.¡±


    ¡°Says who? If you will let him order you around and make you his assistant, I won¡¯t. Common Emily, you are the famous butterfly designs. You are even hiding your son from him. You both are divorced, you have the right to do what you like. It¡¯s been five years already.¡±


    ¡°Can we not talk about this please?¡±


    Gu Yanxi rolled her eyes and kept mute.


    Gu Yanxi, Emily and Liam chatted happily as they picked goods from the supermarket. Emily and Gu Yanxi carried shopping baskets while Liam just tagged along.


    ¡°Thank goodness I didn¡¯t see him. I nearly called off this shopping because he owns this ce.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good you didn¡¯t. This supermarket is nice. I wille here often.¡±


    Not long after, Emily realized she had rejoiced too soon.


    ¡°Oh mummy, look! Mister Noah is here!¡±


    Emily turned to where her son was pointing. Noah wasing down the stairs and was walking towards them. He had seen them!

 Chapter 77

    Noah, as the owner of the supermarket, hade for one of his rare inspections at the supermarket. He came down from his office upstairs and spotted three happy people in the mall. He recognised them and strode towards them.


    This was the second time he was seeing Liam around Emily. Was she his mother?


    ¡°Good morning Mister Noah!¡± Liam greeted in excitement. Gu Yanxi stared at him rudely.


    There were three initially, but now, two. Where went the other person? He was sure no one left that section of the mall.


    ¡°What do you want here?¡±


    Noah looked at her, still amazed at her guts. No one dared to speak to him like that and go scot free.


    ¡°Where is the third person who was here?¡±


    ¡°What third person? Why do you enjoy troubling me? Don¡¯t bother us anymore. Let¡¯s go Liam.¡±


    She pulled the confused Liam away. Liam turned and waved at Noah who was too shocked to wave back.


    She walked out on him too! There was something about that girl he couldn¡¯t understand. He looked around carefully and there was no sign of Emily. He shrugged and walked off.


    Drenched in sweat despite the air-conditioning in the mall, Emily peeped from where she hid. She was nearly caught just now. When she confirmed that he was out of sight, she sneaked out of her hiding ce and ran out of the mall.


    Gu Yanxi and Emily were preparing to go out when Liam came in.


    ¡°Mummy, where are you both going?¡±


    ¡°We are going somewhere very important. You will stay with your nanny.¡±


    ¡°But mummy, you said you will take me out today.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sweetheart. I will do that tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Mummy! What about you, Aunty Yanxi, can¡¯t I follow you?¡±


    ¡°Liam, listen to your mummy. We are not going to a fun ce. I promise, tomorrow, I will personally take you out.¡±


    ¡°Then I will go with Mister Noah. He promised to show me around whenever he¡¯s free.¡±


    ¡°No, when we return, we will take you out tomorrow and that¡¯s final.¡±


    Liam¡¯s face changed and tears ran down his face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to stay alone. It isn¡¯t fun.¡±


    ¡°President Noah is seldom free. You don¡¯t have to always disturb him.¡±


    This made Emily realise that her son was getting very interested in Noah. She knew she had to prevent that rtionship if she didn¡¯t want Noah to know she was his mother.


    ¡°President Noah is getting married next month!¡±


    The next thing that happened was that everyone took out their phones to check thetest news. It was true! There was a picture of him and Benny Jones and the wedding date was disclosed as well.


    The employees at ckwood Towers weren¡¯t left out. The news had gotten to them too and it became a topic for gossip.


    ¡°She must be very lucky. I envy her.¡±


    ¡°I do too. She will be the powerful Mrs Harper that a lot of girls wanted to be.¡±


    ¡°Including that slimy assistant of his.¡±


    ¡°She will be very mad right now. She went everywhere with him and he ditched her. So funny.¡±


    ¡°She must have believed she had made it to the top.¡±


    ¡°Poor her. She was so close to the president that I even got jealous. She¡¯s just a new employee and he gave her that great privilege. I worked so hard to be there but my hard work amounted to nothing. It¡¯s¡­¡±


    One of the employees cleared his throat and the person who was talking kept quiet immediately. They all went back to work and pretended to be very serious and engrossed in their work. It was Emily who had entered. She heard what they said but she didn¡¯t let it bother her. That was cheap gossip and nothing they said was true. She wasn¡¯t interested in the President. She pretended that she heard nothing, discharged her duties there and went off.


    Benny beamed with smiles as she read the news. Everyone now knows who she is! She felt very proud to be in that enviable position. She will be well respected now. She imagined what her rivals, like Tessy and her group would say if they heard the news. She was excited to be in a higher position than others. She would pay Noah a visit and make sure she stays closer to him at all times. She had sessfully gotten  to thest stage and she would do nothing to jeopardize it.


    It has been a week since Noah made Emily his assistant. His new project was in progress and was going well. He was very satisfied to have Emily as his assistant. He was pleased with her work and wished he met her sooner!


    He had just closed for the day when Benny called. She wanted to go on a date with him at a public restaurant. He epted unwillingly.


    She dressed in her best dinner gown and came downstairs to meet him in the car. She sat very close to him and ced her hands on his chest, tracing invisible lines on it.  He raised her head gently and leaned it on the chair.


    ¡°Noah, what is the matter? Why did¡­¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Just sit still for now. Lean on the chair.¡±


    Benny ate with the most brilliant and beautiful smile on her face. Finally, she was in a restaurant with President Noah!  She turned the ring on her finger and smiled all the more.


    Two tables away from them, he spotted a familiar figure, Emily. She was smiling andughing hysterically with a young man. The man fed some food to her and her smile increased. He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek.


    To his surprise, he felt his heart ache at that.


    Emily and Davis were eating and hosting, oblivious of his presence. Nothing else mattered to them but each other.


    Noah returned his attention to his food and tried not to let what he saw bother him. Yet, he saw everything they did and nothing escaped his notice. His heart still ached and he got angry whenever he saw themugh or get too close. What was wrong with him?

 Chapter 78

    ¡°Who were you withst night at the restaurant?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Never mind. Get the documents ready.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    While they were seated in the car, he stole asional nces at her. When she looked back at him, his heart fluttered and he averted his gaze.


    He often found himself staring at her in the office and wouldn¡¯t hear a word of what she had said until she was done talking.


    He started seeing her in a different way. He noticed she was beautiful and had perfect curves.


    Seven years ago, Emily in her sexiest outfit wouldn¡¯t move him but now, even her office wears looked gorgeous and hot to him.


    Noah left his office earlier than usual that day. On his way out, he saw Emily standing by the wall. He asked the driver to pull up. He swallowed hard at her sight. She wore corporate office wears but she looked very appealing to him. Her thin lips, her well curved hips, her breasts, were all inviting and he wished he could reach out to touch them.


    ¡°Why are you still here?¡±


    ¡°My car has a fault so I ordered a taxi. I¡¯m waiting for it. Thanks for your concern,¡± she said and shed him a smile. The smile melted his heart and broke the defensive wall he struggled to put up while talking to her.


    ¡°Get in, I will drop you off.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you. I don¡¯t want to bother you.¡±


    ¡°I said get in. It¡¯s not a problem.¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Was he ordering her or he was just offering her a ride?


    Humph! Everything must be done as he instructed. Here he waspelling her to get into his car. It wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea to get a free ride though.


    ¡°Thank you, President Noah.¡±


    Again, he couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her inside the car. She was just so beautiful and she didn¡¯t leave his mind for a second.


    ¡°Thank you sir,¡± she said and got out of the car. He smiled even before he realized it. He quickly frowned his face immediately and acted like nothing happened.


    Noah was having dinner and reminiscing over what happened that day when a message popped up on his phone. It was from Benny. She said she was in his house and wanted to go out with him.


    ¡°She¡¯s outside? What for?¡± he stood up and walked towards the door. Sure enough, Benny was there. She opened the door and walked in, smiling seductively and swaying her hips.


    She stopped in front of him, stood on tip toes and kissed him directly on the lips. Then she used her hands to wipe the lipstick mark from his lips.


    ¡°Why will you show up thiste without telling me?¡±


    ¡°Baby! Is that how you will wee me to your house? Am I not allowed toe here to see you?¡±


    She broke down in tears.


    ¡°I only came to surprise you and because I have missed you. Do I, as your fianc¨¦e have to take permission toe to your house? Why are you treating me like this?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯te over next time without telling me, is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Baby¡­¡±


    ¡°Your message read that you wanted us to go on a date tonight, is that right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but now, you are angry with me foring. I will just leave.¡±


    ¡°Where do you want us to go?¡±


    ¡°Rossvette hotel.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Let me finish up my dinner.¡±


    ¡°Thank you baby, I love you!¡±


    Shd made to hug him but he brushed her aside and went back to the dinning table. He finished dinner soon and ate an apple which was a daily routine.


    He had his bath and got dressed. Benny thought he looked more handsome that evening.


    They sat in a quiet section of the hotel. A lot of people focused their attention on them. Benny was very excited. She loved being the centre of attention, now, she would be known as Noah Harper¡¯s fianc¨¦e to all and sundry. She could even spot envy in some of thedies¡¯ eyes. She looked at her finger and smiled at her ring.


    Noah, who has been sipping wine in silence all these while, looked around the hotel. Thedies who were staring at him quickly withdrew their gaze.


    He noticed his enemy, Jessy at one corner of the hotel with a very beautiful girl. He looked closer and was surprised to see it was Gu Yanxi.


    He felt a wave of emotion he couldn¡¯t exin when he saw her with Jessy. It made him highly ufortable. Benny noticed the slight change in his facial expression. She traced his line of sight, expecting to see Emily or Grace, but she did not see any of them.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡±


    Some minutester, he excused himself and went to the restroom. On his way back to the hotel, he bumped into someone. He frowned his face and red at the person, waiting for an apology.


    ¡°Humph! You again?¡±


    It was Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you apologize?¡±


    ¡°Apologise to an adult who can¡¯t look where he is going?¡±


    Ordinarily, no one would speak to him like that. But for the third time, he wasn¡¯t offended at her rude remark. He only studied her for some time and walked off.


    ¡°Is this how powerful he is? Why does Emily even fear him when he can do nothing more than a dead rat? He just walked away!¡±


    Noah wondered what her rtionship with Jessy was. It also worried him that he never took offence in anything she said.


    Was he interested in her as well?


    ¡°Drop her off at her ce first,¡± Noah instructed the driver as soon as they got into the car.


    ¡°Baby, I want to stay at your ce. I haven¡¯t slept well in days, please, let me sleep close to you.¡±


    ¡°No! Go home tonight.¡±


    ¡°You are always on my mind. Why do you treat me like this Noah?¡±


    ¡°I merely asked the driver to send you home first. What is the problem this time?¡±

 Chapter 79

    Benny reduced her voice and replied in almost a whisper,


    ¡°Noah, I want to stay close to you. I want to sleep with you. You haven¡¯t touched me since that night, five years ago. Let¡¯s do it again tonight, please.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not right. There should be no intimate rtionship before marriage.¡±


    Benny reached for his shirt and unbuttoned it slowly. She rubbed her hands on his chest and he held her hands and returned them to her side.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me like that,¡± he ordered and buttoned back his shirt.


    ¡°But we have done this before, haven¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to drop you off or send you out of the car this minute? You either be quiet and go home peacefully or I will be forced to push you out of this car.¡±


    The threat was enough to keep her silent for the remaining part of the journey. Benny was so angry that she nearly vomited blood. She had tried several times to have further contact with Noah but the more she tried, the more she got rejected. In the past, he could at least let here closer to him, sometimes, he even kissed her. But now, all these were in the past. It was clear to her that Noah didn¡¯t love her. It was either that he didn¡¯t love her right from time or something made him change. Whatever was the case, her only constion was the fact that the wedding date had been announced to the public. It didn¡¯t matter if he loved her or not. She only wanted to be Mrs. Harper. The power, respect and authority ascribed to that position was all that mattered to her. She stepped down from the car and walked straight into the house without looking back.


    Noah sat on his balcony thinking about the way forward with Benny. He had always questioned his feelings for her but now, it was clear to him that he didn¡¯t want her. Her touch now disgusted him. Was he really in love with Emily?


    He felt ufortable and decided to step out. Maybe he could pay his father a visit. He took his keys and drove out slowly. He turned left and entered a minor road. The road was not always busy and sometimes, it could house thieves at night.


    A car was parked in a distance and the owner who has been trying frantically to start the car stood in front of it.


    Emily wondered what evil fate that day had brought her. She was out thiste and her car still broke down! Her phone was dead and there was no way she could reach Gu Yanxi to tell her she was fine or that her car broke down. On that road, and at that time of the day, she would probably not find a taxi.


    ¡°Oh no! Please, turn on,  let me get out of here,¡± she pleaded with the car.


    Just then, a gun was held in front of her and she froze.


    ¡°Bring everything you have right now!¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t ¡­ I. .¡±


    ¡°Do you have a death wish? Hand over your bags and money. Bring your car keys too.¡±


    She was pushed roughly and the gun was still pointed at her neck. She opened the car with trembling hands and brought out what they requested.


    She was about to hand it over when she heard the man groan. He was  attacked by another person. She was so scared that she fell to the ground, her teeth ttering. The new man and the two thieves wrestled. In no time, the man overpowered the thieves and they fled. He emerged victorious but he was bleeding. The thieves were armed but he wasn¡¯t.


    A saviour at that time, in her time of need and  distress was thest thing she ever thought would happen that day.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked.


    It was then that she looked up and saw the person.


    ¡°President Noah?¡±


    It happened that the minor road that Noah turned towards was the road she was on. He noticed her car and saw the thieves. He parked his car and came to her rescue.


    ¡°Why are you out here thiste?¡±


    He too hadn¡¯t realized howte it was when he left the house. He only wanted to calm his nerves.


    ¡°I was stranded on the road. My car got spoiled just here and I have been trying to do something. Thank you for saving me, President Noah.¡±


    ¡°This is the second time. You owe me for this.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡±


    She was exceptionally grateful for his timely intervention. He stretched his hands to help her up. She felt something warm touch her skin.


    Blood!Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Was he hurt? Goodness, he¡¯s bleeding.


    ¡°You¡¯re hurt? I¡¯m so sorry. Let¡¯s get it treated, let¡¯s go to the hospital.¡±


    She held his hand tenderly and inspected it. It was a small but deep cut. His forehead was bruised as well.


    When she held his hand, he felt an inexplicable puff in his chest that blocked his breathing. Her tenderness and care took away his sense of reasoning momentarily.


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to go to the hospital. You will treat it at home for me.¡±


    Emily, who didn¡¯t want to remain indebted to him, epted to treat him at home.


    First, she took his handkerchief and ced it on the wound to stop the bleeding. She helped him to the car like he was a child. She even offered to drive him home.


    Noah watched every single move of hers in excitement. Emily had a soft heart and was also grateful to him. He saved her right now at his own risk! He was bleeding and it was because of her.


    Emily was surprised to still see that there was no servant in the house just like it was seven years ago.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the first aid kit?¡±


    Noah brought the kit and sat on the bed. She washed her hands and put on gloves.  She started with the cut on his face. Her face was close to him as she did that. He looked at her lips and wanted to kiss her badly.

 Chapter 80

    Damn! How did he miss out on this seven years ago? Back then, he was blinded with rage to recognize how beautiful she was.


    Emily was only focused on her work. She didn¡¯t even know what was going on in his mind about her.


    She cleaned the cut on his face and put a ster on it. She did the same to his hand and stood up. She realized how close she had been to him all these while and her face flushed red in embarrassment.


    Noah looked at her and concealed a smile. He took off his t-shirt and her mouth formed a very big ¡®o.¡¯


    Why was he taking off his shirt just now?


    He put it aside andy on his back. She then saw he was also injured there. She heaved an inward sigh of relief. She treated the injury too.


    Noah loved the touch of her skin against his and her breath on his back. When she was done, she stepped aside.


    ¡°Thank you for saving me. I¡¯m sorry you got injured to save me.¡±


    Still lying down on the bed, Noah turned to face her,


    ¡°I got hurt because of you and can¡¯t do certain things for now. You will have to do them for me.¡±


    This slimy bastard! Was he trying to make her remain indebted to him? What did he want her to do again?


    She remembered she hadn¡¯t called Gu Yanxi to inform her of her whereabouts. She needed to charge her phone to do that.


    ¡°Emmm. President Noah, can you lend me your charger for a while, please?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s on the table,¡± he replied and closed his eyes.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    She took his charger and plugged her phone. When it got charged a bit, she quickly called Gu Yanxi and informed her that she was safe. She promised to give her the full details when she got home.


    After some time, she deemed it fit to go home. She would call a taxi to take her home.


    ¡°President Noah, thank you for today. I¡¯m on my way.¡±


    His eyes flew open.


    ¡°On your way to where? How do you intend to go?¡±


    ¡°I will call a taxi.¡±


    ¡°By this time of the day and in this part of the town?¡±


    Emily looked at the time and was surprised to see that it was past midnight! No wonder Gu Yanxi sounded so worried. She thought it was still ten o¡¯clock. Again, Noah lived in an area reserved for the rich and higher ss so taxi wasn¡¯t amon sight there.


    ¡°You will have to stay the night here and leave tomorrow. Moreover, you will have to make breakfast for me. I¡¯m hurt and can¡¯t do that myself for now. You will take care of me till my wound ispletely healed.¡±


    Emily stared at him in shock. Take care of him till he ispletely healed? Having worked as his assistant for over two weeks, she knew how he was. He was going to take advantage of the fact that she owed him a favour. She couldn¡¯t wait for her third week with him to be over, now, he has added this one.


    However, what baffled her was why he was keeping her by his side. She decided to find out from him.


    ¡°President Noah.¡±


    His eyes slowly opened.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Why are you keeping me by your side ofte?¡±


    ¡°I clearly got injured because I was trying to save you, so you have  to take full responsibility. Or are you thinking of something else? Do you have other expectations of me?¡±


    Noah was still the same. He had a way of turning your question around and making you flustered and speechless. He continued looking at her, waiting for an answer.


    ¡°Not at all. I just asked a question.¡±


    ¡°Question. I see.¡±


    He closed his eyes and went to sleep. He didn¡¯t even show her to any room. He expected her to know her way around since she lived in that house for a year and half. The silly jerk hadn¡¯t changed even after many years.


    Noah opened his eyes when the sun rays from the windows hit his eyes. He had slept like a baby the previous night. He didn¡¯t need to read a book, y the piano or toss around on his bed to fall asleep.


    The smell of properly cooked food wafted into his nostrils. He smiled when he remembered who it was in his kitchen.


    He got up from the bed and brushed his teeth. He strode calmly, like a king to the kitchen.


    Emily was engrossed in the cooking and she didn¡¯t notice him. Some secondster, she felt like she was being stared at. She turned around and he was standing there, looking at her with a nk face.


    ¡°Good morning, president Noah.¡±


    He was still putting on the trousers from the previous night and his upper body was bare. He was well built and looked very handsome.


    When he closed his eyes on the bedst night, he didn¡¯t expect to fall asleep since he had insomnia. Unexpectedly, he only opened his eyes the following morning, feeling refreshed to his glee.


    He didn¡¯t respond to her greeting. He only watched her cook. He walked to the kitchen table and picked a piece of fish from the te and ate it.


    ¡°Why the choice of breakfast?¡±


    The breakfast contained beef, chicken, seafood and vegetables.


    ¡°It will help your wounds heal faster and make you feel better.¡±


    Noah smiled.


    ¡°Hmm. How thoughtful. You didn¡¯t tell me you have be a medical doctor. Okay, that¡¯s nice.¡±


    They looked like a perfect and happy couple in the kitchen after a pleasant time at night.


    Breakfast was soon served and they ate in silence. It was a sumptuous one and he enjoyed it. It tasted like a meal that would be gotten from a five star hotel.


    It felt strange to her. She never ate with him while they were married, but here she was doing that seven yearster. After breakfast,  she thought it was all over but she was disappointed.

 Chapter 81

    He gave her an ointment to apply on his wounds.


    She applied it carefully on his wounds. Her touch pleased him and even aroused him.


    What sort of woman is she? How can a mere touch from a woman, who was just applying ointment arouse him? He resisted the urge to hold her waist tight and give her a deep kiss.


    ¡°Be back at night.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Back?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you will have to treat my wounds tonight. Is there a problem?¡±


    He would always ask if there was a problem as if what he said sounded normal to him.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°I will have my driver drop you off and your car will be brought to your house this evening.¡±


    What more could she ask for?


    ¡°Thank you so much, sir.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t need to be at the office today, I won¡¯t being. Hurry up and go with the driver, he¡¯s waiting.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Where did you say you werest night? I was frightened to death. I thought that rude jerk had done something to you.¡±


    ¡°On the contrary, he saved me!¡±


    ¡°Noah? He saved you? What good cane out of him if I may ask?¡±


    Emily narrated what happened to Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°That¡¯s quite impressive. But why will he make you his doctor rather than go to the hospital?¡±


    ¡°That baffled me too but I know I owe him, so I had to do it. Let me keep my cool and the three weeks will soon be over.


    Just as Noah said, her car was returned to her in good condition. It wasn¡¯t in the evening but that morning! She was very happy, her engagements for the day would still hold. She had gathered some news about her family. She wanted to see her parents and find out if she had heard right.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± her mother asked as soon as she showed up in front of the house.


    She ignored her and entered the house.


    ¡°What is it I hear about our family? Where¡¯s Rose and what did she do?¡±


    ¡°You instigated it all¡­¡±


    ¡°Mother! Enough of all that. What happened?¡±


    Williams came to their rescue. He narrated the story to her while her mother watched quietly with a look of disgust on her face.


    ¡°So, everything I heard was true. How did you all stoop so low? Was it because I wasn¡¯t there to be used to achieve whatever dreams you want?¡±


    ¡°Why are you here asking what happened? Do you want to cause more harm?¡±


    ¡°Olivia!¡±


    ¡°Let her be, dad. Now that I have heard what transpired, I will be on my way.¡±


    After the necessary check in, Emily was allowed to enter the visiting room and Rose was brought to see her.


    ¡°You? What have youe here to do?¡±


    ¡°To see you.¡±


    ¡°Get out. You are the reason for all our problems, you useless thing.¡±


    Emilyughed loudly.


    ¡°You better keep quiet and you should be grateful I paid you a visit.¡±


    Rose red at her with hatred.


    ¡°I heard of the silly thing you did. Did you really have to be that daft?¡±


    ¡°Enough. Get out of here.¡±


    ¡°You should be pleading with me and not yelling. You are stuck here with no hope ofing out. It¡¯s only dad I pity. Otherwise, you should rot in jail. I only came to let you know that I returned as a better person. Enjoy your stay in jail.¡±


    Emily watched with a smile on her face as the officers took her back to the cells.


    They had never acted like sisters since their birth. She was clearly despised and discriminated while she was growing up. Rose only had need for her when she wanted to use her to achieve her selfish desires. She could still remember some instances.


    Back then, Rose would collect money for some drawing assignments knowing fully well she had no idea about drawing. On getting home, she would either cajole orpel her to draw it. As soon as she was done, she would push her aside and take the rewards all to herself.


    Emily, who was also very smart in school, was in charge of most of her sister¡¯s assignments. She would threaten to beat her if she failed to do as she asked. Emily had no one to run to, so she did as she was asked.


    She was also turned to kitchen help each time Rose¡¯s friends came visiting. She would cook, wash the dishes and clean where they would stay. She would still end up eating not even crumbs.


    She dropped by to purchase a bottle of soda at a mall. On her way out, she met Clinton, her ex boyfriend who ditched her for her sister


    ¡°Hi, Emily!¡±


    ¡°Hello,¡± she answered curtly and walked away. Clinton stared at her and went after her.


    ¡°Emily, wait please.¡±


    ¡°Wait for what?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I know I wronged you¡­¡±


    ¡°You are just realizing that now? How many years did it take you to know that? Or are you apologising now because Rose isn¡¯t around you any longer?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand me please. It isn¡¯t like that.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Whatever the case, it¡¯s your own problem. I have more important things to attend to,¡± she concluded and walked out.


    Did he think obtaining her pardon after what he did was that easy? Not only did he leave her, but he left her for her sister. She felt very hurt seeing her man in her sister¡¯s arms. Back then, Clinton didn¡¯t feel like he wronged her. If he was thinking he would obtain her forgiveness and walk back into her life like he owned it, then he was joking.


    The look on her father¡¯s  face bothered her all day. He was clearly worried about hispany and his daughter. Emily hadn¡¯t had the best rtionship with him but she still pited his present state as her father. She thought of how to help but she couldn¡¯t think of any. Finally, an idea urred to her.

 Chapter 82

    He opened the door and saw her sitting on the sofa. She reminded him of a young wife waiting eagerly for the return of her husband.


    He ignored her greeting and went upstairs. Emily waited for sometime for him to freshen up and then she went upstairs. She knocked and opened the door. Noah was bare chested and was standing in front of the book shelf. He was scanning through the books and looking for a book to read.


    He paused when he noticed her at the door.


    ¡°Are you waiting for me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    He grunted a response and continued searching for his book. When he found it, he went back to the bed and sat down. He didn¡¯t say anything to Emily but she knew he was ready. She opened the kit and started treating his wounds.


    ¡°Hey! Easy. Do you hold a grudge against me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. This is the only way I can do it.¡±


    She continued with her treatment and when it hurt him much again, he held her hands. It was a spontaneous action and resulted in an unexpected consequence. She lost bnce and fell right on his chest.


    Her rapid breathing on his chest made his heart beat faster. He knew that if she didn¡¯t get up at that moment, he wouldn¡¯t be able to restrain himself.


    ¡°Are you deliberately throwing yourself at me?¡±


    She stood up immediately. How can he say that when he is clearly the one who threw her off bnce. She got angry and blurted out,


    ¡°How can you say that when you took me unawares?¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Then why did you remain on my body for too long?¡±


    ¡°Noah! I won¡¯t have you cook up stories against me. I am only here because you saved  me. Just be calm and let me do what I came here to do. It¡¯s not my fault you are whimpering like a child.¡±


    Gosh! She looked even prettier when she was angry. Love had its own way of doing things. He still hadn¡¯t figured out when he lost control over her. She broke the defensive wall he built for everyone without his knowledge.


    When Emily saw he wasn¡¯t saying anything but was staring at her, she sighed and stood up to leave.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t done yet. Come back,¡± he ordered.


    With her back turned on him, she rolled her eyes at him and finally came back. There wasn¡¯t any more drama. Shepleted the treatment in peace. She was good to go but one more thing was bothering her. She hadn¡¯te to terms on the right way to plead with Noah for her family. It was true she wasn¡¯t epted as a member of the family but blood was thicker than water. Her father was dying of grief slowly.


    ¡°President Noah.¡±


    He raised his head slowly and looked at her. She shivered under his cold gaze and her words stuck in her throat.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°My.. my¡­¡±


    ¡°Your what?¡±


    ¡°My father¡­ he¡¯s dying of grief.¡±


    ¡°What has that got to do with me?¡±


    ¡°Save him, please. I beg this of you.¡±


    ¡°Save your father who tried to kill me?¡±


    ¡°No.. it was Rose. It wasn¡¯t him. He..¡±


    ¡°I should have mercy? Are you pleading the cause of people who don¡¯t recognize you as family?¡±


    ¡°Please, just this once, President Noah!¡± she pleaded and fell at his feet.


    ¡°You have a magnanimous heart. But I don¡¯t. Now, let this be thest time you will talk about this. I can¡¯t assure you of your own safety if you do that. Now, get out.¡±


    ¡°President Noah, please¡­¡±


    ¡°Get lost this minute!¡± he yelled. Even the walls shook at his voice. Emily too trembled and hurried off. She lost bnce in the process and fell t on her face. His anger vanished instantly.


    ¡°Emily!¡±


    He ran up to her and helped her up. He held her against his chest and his heart did some mad palpitation. It was no joke that he was in love with her. His heart always beat faster when he saw her. It wasn¡¯t like that for Benny. Her face was swollen from the fall. Her eyelids shook weakly.


    Carefully, he carried her to the bed andid her down. He heated some water and got a towel and balm. He massaged her face gently.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he said each time she twisted her face in pain. He didn¡¯t mean to shout at her; he only got annoyed when she talked about her family. He was sorry.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Emily.¡±


    He gave her some painkillers and covered her with his nket. He took her phone and sent a text to Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°I will be back tomorrow. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    A few secondster, the phone rang and it was Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°Hello!¡± he spoke into the phone.


    ¡°You? Where is Emily?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°What have you done to her, you brute.¡±


    ¡°Hey! I said she¡¯s alright and will be back tomorrow. Don¡¯t talk any more nonsense.¡±


    There was just something about this girl. Hopefully, he will figure it out soon.


    He adjusted her position on the bed andy close to her. His face was very close to hers and he admired her. Her longshes and her firm lips. Her eyes flew open at once. He quickly withdrew.


    She gasped in shock and made to stand up but the pain on her head couldn¡¯t let her.


    ¡°You should rest more.¡±


    ¡®Why was his face so close to mine? Was he nning to kiss me? Or am I thinking too far?¡¯


    Noah woke up early that morning. He had a series of meetings to attend that day. He felt a little hand on his lower body.


    She had ced her hand on him in her sleep. He smiled and removed it carefully to avoid waking her.


    She opened her eyes when he was ready to go out.


    ¡°I will take you home.¡±


    He knew already that she wouldn¡¯t want to spend more time in his house now that she had regained consciousness.


    The driver stopped in front of the house. Noah opened the door and helped her out. Liam ran out of the house and ran to his mother¡¯s side.


    ¡°Mummy! What happened to mummy?¡±

 chapter 83

    ¡°Mummy?¡±


    Emily was too tired to stop him. Finally, she had been given away. Noah now knows who Liam¡¯s mother is. Gu Yanxi hurried out of the house in no time.


    ¡°Emily!¡± she yelled when she saw a bandage on her head.


    She took her from Noah and pushed him. Noah opened his mouth to scream at her but he couldn¡¯t. It was always like that. She helped Emily inside and Liam ran in with them.


    Noah wanted to go back and verify what he heard. Liam called Emily, mummy! But his meeting was in a few minutes. He hurried off with that upying a greater part of his thoughts.


    He was clearly absent minded during the meeting. He remembered asking Liam his age some weeks ago. If Liam was five years old, it meant that Emily got pregnant for him while they were married. It now made sense to him. That was the reason for the abrupt divorce. She cheated on him and bore another man¡¯s child!


    His face greased into a frown and everyone in the meeting room went silent. His eyes turned red and he looked like he would murder someone.


    He raised his face and looked around. Turning to the man who was talking, he asked,


    ¡°Are you done?¡±


    ¡°No.. no.. pre.. pre..¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    Every single one of them exchanged nces and some almost urinated on themselves in fright.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°The.. the pro..¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Can¡¯t you  speak?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry president.¡±


    At the end of the meeting, Noah sat in his office drinking wine.


    He had thought it was just divorce. Now, she also cheated on him and even bore the child. When he felt he was a bit calm, he asked his driver to take him home. Thankfully, all the meetings were over.


    He yed the violin in the silence of the garden.


    Meanwhile, at the gates, Benny was ushered in without questioning as his fianc¨¦e. The first thing she noticed was the car parked in front of the house. It wasn¡¯t Noah¡¯s. He always parked his car in the garage. She went closer and recognized the car. It belonged to the fashion designer.


    ¡°That bastard!¡± she cursed.


    ¡°Does she now visit his house? Hasn¡¯t she done enough damage? I won¡¯t let you ruin all that I have suffered to build, you fool!¡±


    She inquired from a servant and he told her that the master was in the garden.


    Noah stopped ying when he felt a presence. He always gave strict instructions about invading his privacy. He hated it. He guessed it was a servant and without looking up to see who it was, he asked,


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Noah!¡±


    He recognized the voice and looked up.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Noah! You are hurting me. You made the fashion designer not only your assistant but a visitor to this house. Who am I to you? Five years ago, I gave myself to you and that was the happiest time of my life. I was terrified when I woke up with this ring on my finger so I ran away. The first time we met in broad daylight, you let me keep the ring and you promised to marry me. I have stayed by your side all along but now, you don¡¯t treat me well anymore.¡±


    ¡°That fashion designer, who is she? Shees to your house and even spends the night. Her car is right outside but I don¡¯t spend the night in your house. Please, touch me. Sleep with me, I long for your touch, I love you Noah, don¡¯t reject me, it will break my heart. Please, you promised to marry me.¡±


    Noah looked at her and at his ring. It was true that he promised to marry her. But now, he didn¡¯t feel the same way he felt five years ago when he was in bed with her. He felt different and with each passing day, he was constantly drawn away from her.


    ¡°I promised to marry you and I didn¡¯t say I won¡¯t.¡±


    Benny¡¯s heart nearly exploded with joy. She was still going to be Mrs. Harper. She still had to be sure.


    ¡°Really, you will keep your promise?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Can I ask a favour?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s y an outdoor game this weekend.¡±


    ¡°What game?¡±


    ¡°I will find a very nice ce you will like and get the tickets ready.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The next thing Benny did was to put some people to monitor Emily. She wanted to know her whereabouts and all.


    Emily was okay now but she was scared. She didn¡¯t know how Noah would react if he saw her now he knew she had a child out of wedlock. He must have found out that she cheated on him while they were married. She didn¡¯t go to Noah¡¯s house or office and fortunately, he didn¡¯t look for her. However, he instructed his driver to send back her car. She put her things together and made ns to travel back to China as soon as possible.


    ¡°Passports? Are we travelling, mummy?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sweetheart, we are. We will leave on Monday morning.¡±


    ¡°But mummy! The holiday isn¡¯t over yet. We haven¡¯t visited some interesting ces.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully, we wille back to this country in subsequent years, but for now, our stay is over.¡±


    ¡°Okay Mummy. Can we at least make the weekend a memorable one?¡±


    Emily thought about it. She would give the boy a memory to keep of his fathernd. She knew she couldn¡¯t promise to bring him back here any time soon.


    ¡°Okay. We will do that.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm! Why are your bags packed?¡± Gu Yanxi asked when she returned from one of her frequent dates with Jessy.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving on Monday morning.¡±


    ¡°Why? Is it because of that jerk?¡±


    ¡°He has found out about Liam. I¡¯m sure he is waiting for the right time to strike. I cheated on him while we were married. I don¡¯t want anything to happen to my son. I will leave the country quietly.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I understand you perfectly. This time, I won¡¯t discourage or stop you but I won¡¯t go with you. My annual leave has merely begun. Go well my dear friend. I will return next month. Till then, take care.¡±

 Chapter 84

    Saturday morning met the trio at the tennis court. They were all dressed in their sports attire and they looked amazing. Liam had done some research and found out that this was the most famous court in that part of the country. He decided to visit it and make asting memory before leaving the USA.


    Emily showed her son how to y tennis. Davis arrived a few minutester. He was also invited to the game and his ticket was prepared beforehand. He stood close to Emily, teaching her more tennis techniques and at the same time, teaching Liam the basics.


    At the entrance, Benny appeared with Noah. She smiled when she saw Emily and smiled even more when she saw her with a man. One of the people she sent to follow Emily brought back the news that she purchased tickets for the tennis court on saturday. She quickly told Noah that she wanted them to go there. Her n was to let Emily see and know that Noah was hers and nothing under the face of the earth could stop it. She intended to be all over Noah and y lovey dovey with him to make her jealous.


    She was even more pleased when she saw that Emily came with a man. That would help her n to work faster. Noah would see her with a man and never think about her in the future.  All that was left was for her to bring them to meet.


    ¡°Ohh! Isn¡¯t that the fashion designer down there? Let¡¯s quickly go and say hello!¡±


    Noah felt his stomach rumble. Say hello? Hell no! He had scores to settle with her.


    ¡°Hello, Miss Muxin!¡±


    Emily turned to see who called her. Noah¡¯s cold gaze swept her off her feet and she nearly fell.


    ¡°Mister Noah¡± Liam called excitedly and ran into his embrace.


    Good heavens! His prayers had just been answered. He was thinking of how to meet Noah to say goodbye and here was the man, right before him. He would engage him and make that day unforgettable.


    As the boy wrapped himself around him, he didn¡¯t know how to feel. Was he supposed to be angry that this was a child his wife cheated on him and had or he should be happy to have his little friend by his side?


    ¡°Good morning President Noah! It¡¯s an honour to have you here,¡± Davis greeted breaking the awkward silence.


    Naoh decided to take things easy.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Emily Grant, Emily Muxin. You have exnations to make, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°No she doesn¡¯t,¡± Gu Yanxi cut in.


    Noahughed.


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for you to start talking. And as for you,¡± he pointed at Gu Yanxi,


    ¡°Step aside or I¡¯ll put you in your ce. I have ignored you for too long.¡±


    Emily looked around. She didn¡¯t want to talk to him with so many people around and the child shouldn¡¯t hear her too.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    Benny couldn¡¯t believe it. Her n backfired. It seemed like he had wanted to see her and she only helped to bring them even closer. She watched as her fianc¨¦e walked off with another woman without saying a word to her. He only patted Liam¡¯s head and left.


    Davis stared in confusion.


    ¡°Is she close to President Noah? How does she know him? How do you all know him too?¡±


    Gu Yanxi came to his rescue.


    ¡°He¡¯s her ex husband. He is Liam¡¯s friend and my enemy. I got to know him from Emily and made it a point of duty to defend her from him, bringing about enmity.¡±


    That was the perfect and exact description.


    ¡°Your enemy? Don¡¯t you know it¡¯s dangerous to be in his bad books? He can punish you severely!¡±


    ¡°Howe everyone says that? He hasn¡¯t done anything to me and I ¡­¡±


    ¡°Then you should count yourself lucky. I heard what he said just now. Don¡¯t offend him again if you love yourself.¡±


    Benny eavesdropped on their conversation and she heard everything. So, Emily was his ex wife? What was she here to do at that time? What was her mission? To stop her from getting married to Noah?


    ¡°I have nothing to exin to you!¡±


    ¡°You dared to cheat on me!¡±


    ¡°Yes, I did. But it¡¯s a mistake I don¡¯t regret. I love my son.¡±


    ¡°You crawled into my bed seven years ago and I married you as you wanted. Yet, you cheated on me, you disgusting slut! I should have known that a leopard never shades its spot. I want to strangle you right now.¡±


    ¡°I am not a slut. They were both mistakes. I regret the first but I don¡¯t regret the second. Liam is my greatest joy.¡±


    ¡°Do you really intend to drag my name to the mud?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. I divorced you right after I found out I was pregnant. I couldn¡¯t kill my own child over a man who doesn¡¯t care about me.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a grudge against me that I refused to touch you again after that night?


    Emily red at him with hate. What sort of nonsense was he spewing from his mouth?


    ¡°I don¡¯t hold any silly grudge. I never¡­¡±


    Before she could finish her sentence, she felt a scorching heat approaching. A man¡¯s handsome, cold and mean face obstructed her line of sight. Her breathing was cut off and she got scared all of a sudden. The initial courage with which she had faced him vanished and a sense of dread settled in.


    ¡°Why? Where went your initial courage? Are you done talking?¡±


    She felt a lump in her throat and was unable to speak.


    With his face still very close to hers, he continued.


    ¡°I fulfilled my own part of the bargain. You made me marry you and yet, you failed in every single area. Firstly, you divorced me before time and did something that can tarnish my image if ites to the notice of the world.¡±


    ¡°I will not forgive you for this, but for the sake of that dear child whom I love, I will let you go. Don¡¯t ever appear in front of me again as long as you live unless you want to die by my own hands.¡±

 Chapter 85

    He moved away from her and walked away. She just stayed there and tears fell down her face. When Noah emerged, Liam hurried to his side and asked,


    ¡°Do you know my mummy?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡±


    ¡°How did you know her? I never introduced her to you. Something always happens any time I want to do so.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it bother you. Let¡¯s y tennis.¡±


    Liam, with the mind of a child, took his words and went off with him happily. Benny was furious. She came there with him but he doesn¡¯t even know she existed. Her n was to announce her presence and solidify her stance in his life but it looks like the ground she was standing on initially had given way too.


    Gu Yanxi and Davis looked around for Emily and found her crying in a corner. She felt very bad for hurting Noah. She didn¡¯t mean it to turn that way. They had started their loveless marriage with anger but now, it ended in acrimony. He saved her from public disgrace and also from her family and from Jayden. But all she did was to betray him. She was disappointed in herself. The look on his face clearly showed how much he wanted to strangle her but for Liam.


    ¡°What¡¯s the  matter, did he do something to you?¡±


    She shook her head to indicate no.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡±


    She wiped her tears and her friends consoled her and helped her up.


    Noah was showing Liam how to y and theyughed happily. Benny came over and said,


    ¡°Noah! Can you teach me too? I want to learn too¡±


    ¡°I will get an experienced coach to teach you if you want to learn.¡±


    How could he! Who said she wanted to learn or wanted a coach? She only wanted to be by his side.


    Before she could utter another word or protest, he called the most experienced coach and instructed him to tutor her. She just had to obey and went off with the coach.


    Liam¡¯sughter echoed across the tennis court. Noah taught and yed with him with so much tenderness and care. The people who were present were amazed to see that part of Noah. He was known to all and sundry as a powerful and mean man, but he was the exact opposite with that child. If they didn¡¯t know him, they could have mistaken the child to be his.


    Emily, Davis and Gu Yanxi came into the court and saw both of them. Gu Yanxi and Davis starred in surprise while Emily¡¯s heart bled.


    Gu Yanxi couldn¡¯t believe he was that gentle. She had always ruled a red line over him and saw nothing good in him.


    Noah really loved her son like his own. He only forgave her for his sake and was even making him happy. Noah knew he would probably never see him again. He warned her never to show up in front of him, so he was clearly giving good and healthy memories to her son. Liam too had asked that theye there so he could have an enduring experience during his stay in the USA and Noah was doing just that for him.


    At the end of the day, Benny felt very stupid foring there with him. He only spent his time with the little child. He had never smiled at her the way he did to Liam that day and she was green with envy.


    The days went by slowly and with each passing hour, Noah remembered Emily. It was as if every hour increased his love for her. He thought it was only going to fade away but it didn¡¯t. By Monday, he couldn¡¯t restrain himself any longer. He wanted to see her.


    On getting to the door, he saw Gu Yanxi locking up.


    ¡°Where is Emily?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s gone,¡± she  answered curtly without  sparing him a nce.


    ¡°Gone? To where?¡±


    ¡°Back to China. And here, have your keys. She requested that I send it back to Donmackpany but you are the one who bought the house for her as your fashion designer. So, it¡¯s best you take your keys.¡±


    She took his hand and pushed the keys and a letter into it.


    ¡°That¡¯s for you,¡± with that, she walked away.


    Noah stood transfixed at the spot. He opened the letter and read the contents slowly and carefully.


    ¡®Greetings, President Noah. I hope this letter finds you well. I am sincerely sorry for everything. I  didn¡¯t n this whole thing. From that day seven years ago, I never knew anything like this would happen. Thank you for saving me from Jayden, my supposed fianc¨¦e and from my family. Thank you also for sparing me even after finding out I cheated on you five years ago. It was a mistake.


    Thank you for loving my son and not showing any form of resentment towards him. Thanks for the indelible time you spent with him at the court. It hasn¡¯t left his little mind and he hasn¡¯t stopped telling stories about it, you and his new knowledge of the game.


    I beg you, president Noah, have mercy on my family. I know they have never been family to me, but my father would die if he remains jobless and without thepany he built and his child in prison. I am no better than them, but do this for me, please.


    I promise never to show up in front of you as long as I live as you requested. Thank you once again. Liam sends his greetings.


    Stay long, stay healthy.


    Emily.¡¯


    Noah¡¯s hands trembled and the letter fell from his hands. No! Emily couldn¡¯t leave. He would find her. His heart wants her, he doesn¡¯t know why, but he wants her by his side. He picked up the letter and the house keys and went back to his car.


    An announcement was made at the airport. The departing individuals who were ready to board the ne were asked to wait for some time.


    Emily who was standing close to one of the officials asked,


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°There is an order from a higher authority that no ne leaves the airport till he arrives.¡±

 Chapter 86

    ¡°Excuse me, Miss. Are you Emily Muxin?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. Is there any problem?¡±


    ¡°This way Miss. I was instructed to call you.¡±


    Emily and her son followed him with a confused look on her face. She didn¡¯t want her flight dyed for anything. She wondered why the flights were suspended for a while.


    The man stopped in front of a familiar car. That was Noah¡¯s!


    He tapped on the driver¡¯s door and said,


    ¡°She¡¯s here sir.¡±


    The ss was wound down and Noah¡¯s handsome face appeared.


    The man bowed and left.


    Noah stepped down from the car and held her hands.


    ¡°Where are you going to again when the contract time isn¡¯t over yet?¡±


    Emily looked for the right words to say.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go, don¡¯t leave.¡±


    Emily couldn¡¯tprehend what was happening. Just two days ago, he had warned her never to show her face to him and today, he wasing after her to stop her from travelling out.


    ¡°But you asked me to¡­¡±


    ¡°Shhh!¡± he ced his hands on her lips.


    ¡°I will rece the money for your flight and take care of other things. Just wait till the holiday is over.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, but don¡¯t worry. I want to return.¡±


    ¡°I am asking you not to. Wait more.¡±


    She was speechless and Noah who always had his way, did so again. Noah drove them back to the house and returned the keys to her.


    ¡°Go back in. I will take him to work with me.¡±


    Emily nodded and entered inside, still finding it difficult to believe  this was reality. It was an order and he gave her no room for counter opinion.


    Naoh took Liam to the office. He took him to the topmost part of thepany which stood out in the city and could be seen from anywhere.


    ¡°This is the ce where you see from wherever you are.¡±


    ¡°Wow! The building is really tall. I am so happy I finally climbed up here. It¡¯s a good view from here, but everything is so small.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how it should be when you look from a height.¡±


    Noah showed him some beautiful pictures and finally took him home.


    ¡°The flowered are beautiful. I love them. Can I touch them?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t squeeze them and be careful, some have thorns.¡±


    ¡°Why do you have a garden? There isn¡¯t any in our house.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I like it. Some people keep and tend gardens while others don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Do you look after your garden yourself?¡±


    ¡°Partly, I do. On the other hand, I don¡¯t. I have servants who do the job.¡±


    ¡°What about your mummy and your daddy? Your wife and children, do they live with you?¡±


    Noah smiled. He brought the child with him and would patiently answer his questions and satisfy his curiousity.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. My mum is no more and I don¡¯t live with my dad. I am also not married, I don¡¯t have a wife yet, so, I have no child.¡±


    ¡°Although your mother is my ex wife,¡± he added within.


    It then urred to him that he didn¡¯t know the child¡¯s father.


    Maybe he too was somewhere in China or Emily didn¡¯t want to take the child to him or talk about him.


    He took Liam to what ever ce he mentioned and by the time they returned, he was very tired but there were still some ces he longed to go but was yet to. Noah promised to take him another time.


    He took him home and waited for his mother to put the tired child to bed. Gu Yanxi wasn¡¯t around. She had gone to spend some time with Jessy. When she returned to the sitting room, she thanked Noah for taking care of her child and bringing him home. She wanted to ask why he stopped her from travelling but didn¡¯t know the right way to say it. She wanted to let him know that he had no right to stop her movements and that she must travel back within the week.


    The scent of baby bath gel filled the air, she had just finished helping her son with his bath. Noah loved the scent.


    As she was still thinking of the right choice of words, he showed up in front of her. He held her face and sealed her lips with his.


    His lips were soft and Emily wondered how something that looked so hard and firm could be sweetly soft.


    His mouth was hot and It tasted of strawberries. He pried her mouth open and slid his tongue into her mouth. She tried to resist him but he held on. She let him take control of the kiss. He kissed her thoroughly and disengaged to give room for breath. He turned and left the house without looking back.


    Was this the reason he asked her to return? Does he have feelings for her? It couldn¡¯t be. She decided not to believe it. She wouldn¡¯t love him for any reason and wouldn¡¯t want him to do so either. If this was it, she would quickly go back to China. There was no way to verify except to watch. If she asked him about it, he was capable of turning issues and making her look like the one in love. She thought it best to let sleeping dogs lie and watch and see if it happens again.


    Noah sent her a text, reminding her that she still had to report to his office. This time, she saw less of him as he had bergely busy. His new project was taking much of his time.


    When Benny learnt that Emily was still going to Noah¡¯s office everyday, she decided to strike onest time. Their wedding was only a few days away.


    Unknown to her, Noah had been questioning himself seriously about getting married to her. He was only marrying her now as a sense of responsibility from that night and because he promised. There was no love between them. The feeling from that night was no longer there. He felt more around Emily but didn¡¯t feel anything for her. In the beginning, he thought it was stress and that he would love her more with time but he was mistaken. Till that moment, he still didn¡¯t love her.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Baby, I have missed you so much. Do you even miss me? Noah, you no longer make me happy.¡±


    ¡°If you are not happy, you can leave. I will release you, call off the marriage and let you leave.¡±

 Chapter 87

    Benny Jones felt she had been given a death sentence. She didn¡¯t mean it that way. She wanted him close to her and he was pushing her away.


    She wrapped her arms around him and held him close to herself.


    ¡°No, Noah! I love you and don¡¯t want to loose you.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t lose her position as Mrs. Harper after she hase this far. She had made a mistake. She wouldn¡¯t havee asking him about it today. Noah stared at her with his usual cold and expressionless face.


    ¡°You wereining just now¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I want you to stay closer to me and not push me away. Our wedding is in a few days.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t force yourself if you don¡¯t want to stay. I don¡¯t want to lead you into a loveless marriage with me because I have a responsibility to fulfil. I know I said I will marry you, but now, I have thought about it carefully. I don¡¯t feel the same way I felt with you five years ago. The close feeling of love and attraction has vanished. It¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you didn¡¯t even give me a chance. Sleep with me, I am offering myself to you. I love you Noah, please, don¡¯t break up with me now.¡±


    She opened her zip and took off her clothes, exposing her shoulders but Noah stopped her.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t. I won¡¯t disrespect you by getting intimate with you when we aren¡¯t married yet. I don¡¯t love you anymore and I don¡¯t want to make you unhappy after marriage.


    Whatever it is, house, car, money, anything you want forpensation, I will give it to you. I will give you nothing less than you deserve.¡±


    Benny went down on her knees and wept her heart out. Everything she had done for so many months was just to be Mrs Harper and the opportunity has crumbled before her eyes.


    Noah looked at her as the tears ran down her face in torrents. Did she really love him that much?


    He reached out and touched her exposed shoulders. Benny stopped breathing. Has he finally fallen for her feminine charms and now wants to take her to bed? She would be more than d to oblige.


    He was holding her closely but he felt nothing at all, no emotions. He only needed to set his eyes on Emily and his heart would beat faster.


    ¡°I will let you keep the ring. It¡¯s the only one in the world but I will let you keep it. I will still await your feedback on what you want aspensation.¡±


    Benny was disappointed. Noah helped her cover her bare shoulders with her dress as he continued talking,


    ¡°Anything, I will give it to you, but we can¡¯t get married. Until then, you can leave. I have something to finish up.¡±


    Benny felt as if the weight of the whole world was on her. From that minute, her dream of bing the wife of President Noah melted into the air.


    ¡°Noah, can you at least give me a hug please? Onest time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m busy and giving you a hug will make you misunderstand things.¡±


    As she walked out of his office and out of his life as well, his heart felt lighter.


    Noah and his father sat in the sitting room watching the news. They had be closer after the ident and Noah never spoke of his sister again.


    ¡°Dad, how about you go on a vacation?¡±


    ¡°Vacation? Where?¡±


    ¡°Anywhere you like. You should take a break and enjoy nature.¡±


    ¡°That sounds great. Do you want to do something shady? This is the first time you are asking me to go on a vacation and it¡¯s fishy.¡±


    Father and sonughed.


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t do shady deals dad. I just want you to enjoy your days. The country is good, but travelling is better. It helps you live longer.¡±


    ¡°Are youing?¡±


    ¡°Ahh. No way. Dad, you know I am working on a project and it¡¯s almostpleted. I have put a lot of time and effort into foreseeing the progress myself. I can¡¯t back off now and hand it over to an assistant. I will join you as soon as everything is settled.¡±


    ¡°It better be quick. You need a vacation too, even more than I do. You¡¯ve been working too hard even when you can just delegate these duties.¡±


    ¡°I want it done to suit me, that¡¯s why I am taking full responsibility.¡±


    Noah entered his room in his father¡¯s house. He looked at a photograph on his table. The picture was over twenty years old. He dusted it and smiled at it. He traced the happy faces on the picture and his smile broadened. It was him, Jessy and Mabel, holding themselves and smiling. Mabel travelled for a surgery three months after the picture was taken and they mourned her a monthter. Since then, he had kept that picture with him.


    He had lost Mabel and Jessy as well. Jessy no longer crossed his part carelessly after what happened thest time. He was more careful now although he was waiting for the right time to strike. He had seen that Noah was a changed person and would not hesitate to put him in his ce if he tried anything funny. It was no longer the Noah who overlooked all his wrongs back then.


    Noah personally drove his father to the airport. The old man chose to go by the public airways and not his private jet. Noah let him do as he wished. He hugged his father for the first time in many years and they even took a picture together. He bade his father goodbye and drove back home.


    On his way back, he checked his phone to be certain that his instructions were properly carried out. He ordered that no news about him and his fianc¨¦e should be seen anywhere. He wanted to quietly cut things off without public knowledge.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Now, he was no longer engaged. He was back to bachelorhood and the only one in his mind was Emily Grant.

 Chapter 88

    Tissue paper was littered on the floor and more were dropped. Benny was crying and wiping her tears but they continued to flow. That day was supposed to be her wedding day.


    ¡°It¡¯s that fashion designer. She¡¯s the reason he left me. I will make her pay.¡±


    She made this decision and bitterness, anger and envy filled her heart. She called her men and gave them strict instructions to monitor Emily. She will not let her go so easily. She would think of how best to handle her.


    Noah drove to Emily¡¯s house on his way back from the airport. He wanted to see her and also hang out with Liam.


    Liam ran in happily to get dressed leaving his mum alone with Noah.


    ¡°I know our agreement is over. The three weeks have psed, but stay here please. Don¡¯t leave.¡±


    ¡°Why? I am doing nothing here and I need to return.¡±


    ¡°You left because of me five years ago. Can you stay for my sake this time?¡±


    ¡°No. I won¡¯t stay. I will leave as soon as I get my tickets ready.¡±


    ¡°I will stop the flight again. Do you really not see it? I¡­¡±


    Noah was interrupted by Liam.


    ¡°I am ready!¡±


    Noah straightened up and said nothing more to Emily. Liam bade his mother goodbye and off they went.


    They went horse riding.


    Gu Yanxi was at home when Noah brought Liam home. This time, she greeted him with less hostility. She hade to terms that he wasn¡¯t a very bad person after what happened at the Tennis court thest time. Instead of acknowledging her greeting, a wry smile appeared on his face.


    So, the spitting cobra of a girl could be this calm?


    Liam narrated his experience to his mother for many days toe. He couldn¡¯t wait for another outing with Noah.


    Noah sat at the top observing everything that happened at the down floor of the club house. The people down couldn¡¯t see him from where he was.


    He spotted Emily at the entrance. She was with Davis alone. Her skin looked like white jade and glittered from a distance. Her nose was raised to the sky and her lips were as red as pomegranate. They sat down and ordered drinks. Noah watched their every move and was hurt by how close they were. His heart was filled with jealousy.


    ¡°You know, I have been thinking of how best to tell you how I feel about you,¡± Davis began.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°At a time, I fell in love with you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Then what?¡±


    ¡°I knew that it might make our rtionship get awkward if I brought it up.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Was that why you acted like that  some weeks ago?¡±


    ¡°Yes. But I have gotten over you now. I¡¯m d I did. I can¡¯t imagine you turning me down and our friendship ruined as a result of it.¡±


    When the music was turned on and the people were invited to dance, Davis asked Emily to dance with him. Noah couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. He changed his position to avoid seeing them.


    He retrieved her letter from his car and read it again. Her family. If he granted her her request about her family, she might give him a chance.


    Rose and her aplices were released the following morning. They couldn¡¯t believe they obtained Noah¡¯s pardon. They had given up on it months ago. Now they were free!


    Her parents were happy to see her. They hugged her tightly and fed her quickly. Her mother asked her to stay indoors till she regained weight and looked better.


    Emily was arranging some of her belongings when her phone rang. It was an unknown number. When she picked it up, she found out it was her father. She frowned her face.


    When did they start exchanging calls?


    Her father announced to her with great thrill in his voice that thepany had been returned to them. Earlier that morning, he received a mail from thepany. Noah even sent a  messenger to deliver the hard copy to him. He had fully returned to thepany. Her father thanked her for her help. She was the only one he could think of that pulled the strings. When he watched her leave that day, he knew she was determined to help them despite their differences.


    She was happy for her family and specially grateful to Noah for granting her request. She would thank him when they met. She recalled what he said thest time.


    Was he about to say he loved her? She touched her lips and remembered the passionate kiss he gave her.


    She would tell him off the next time he approached her. She wasn¡¯t interested.


    Liam came into the room.


    ¡°You are packing again mummy. Are we going?¡±


    ¡°No. I am just arranging my things.¡±


    Liam looked around at the things his mum was arranging. Nothing caught his fancy till he spotted a very beautiful ring from the lot and grabbed it.


    ¡°Mummy! This is so beautiful. I have never seen you wear it.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t wear it. It¡¯s just in my things.¡±


    ¡°Can I have it mummy? I promise to keep it safe.¡±


    Emily thought the ring wasn¡¯t of much use to her and so she let him have it.


    True to his words, Liam guarded the ring jealousy and went everywhere with it. The ring was designed in a way that it could be adjusted to fit any finger. He either wore it or he put it safely away in his pocket.


    As Liam requested, Noah came over to take him to work with him that morning. Emily used the chance to thank him for releasing her sister and the familypany. She wanted to talk about their rtionship but she kept stuttering. Noah shed her a smile that could melt the heart. Her courage fled and she said nothing more.


    Noah was too busy at the office to y with Liam. He slept off while he was working. He carried the sleeping boy to his car when he was done with work. On getting to their house, he woke him up. Liam rubbed his eyes and sat up on the chair. The ring he treasured so badly fell off his pocket.

 Chapter 89

    Sleep disappeared from his eyes that moment. He was instantly conscious and started looking for the ring. Noah was amazed, what ring would make him wake up in seconds?


    He searched with his eyes and found the ring. It was shiny and made of pure gold. He smiled, little wonder the boy didn¡¯t want to part with it.


    ¡°It¡¯s under there,¡± he said pointing at the ce. Liam made a dive for it, took his prized possession and put it into his pocket. He waved at Noah, said good night and came down from the car. Noah waited until he was sure that he entered the house safely. Then he instructed his driver to move.


    Jayden Mason, the CEO of Jace group sat in his office, feeling very fulfilled and happy. He had sessfully waved off external forces and now, thepany was strong and stable.


    His wife, Tessy was furious at her failed goal. Her father was even more pissed than she was. He helped the Mason family with the sole aim of tactfully taking over thepany. Now that he had failed, he was bitter.


    He put a smiling face on the surface when the Mason family came to properly thank him for helping theirpany rise. He imed to be happy for them and prayed that they soared to greater heights.


    Seeing she had lost, and there was no way to either make him pay or put his immoral lifestyle in check, Tessy filed for a divorce. Jayden bluntly refused to grant that. He said she was his wife and had no reason to wake up one day and decide to leave.


    He was a bit dull at work the following day. Pearl came in as usual for their regr ordeal. The sex wasn¡¯t as hot as it used to be but it was still sweet and left her wanting more. Shey close to him and asked what the matter was.


    ¡°My wife wants a divorce.¡±


    Pearl smiled in her heart. She would soon be his legal wife!


    ¡°Is that why you are bothered?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I can¡¯t divorce her.¡±


    ¡°But you don¡¯t love her.¡±


    Jayden looked at her and said nothing.


    ¡°Why not let her go if that¡¯s what she wants? After that, we can be free to do this anywhere.¡±


    Jayden frowned.


    ¡°I told you that I wasn¡¯t going to make anymitments with you.¡±


    Pearl was hurt. She was just a y thing! It was true he said that but she expected he would change his mind with time if she treated him well in the bedroom.


    Jayden stood up and helped her up. He made her face the wall and they began another of their rounds. Her moans echoed across the room just the way he loved it. He wanted to keep having sex with her. Of all the women he hade across in his dirty lifestyle, she was the only one who satisfied him the most and he kepting for more. But irrespective of that, there was nothing likemitment. How dare she request that! He squeezed her already swollen nipples to teach her a lesson, making her yelp in pain. He took her to the bed and soothed the pain by cing his hot mouth over one of them and caressing the other.


    Noah closed the book he was reading and yawned. He opened the door of his study to leave and an image shed into his mind.


    That ring! How did he miss that? It was made of pure gold, it was glittering and the design he had seen briefly was exactly his! There was only one of such rings in the world. He grabbed his car keys and left the house in a mad rush.


    Emily, Gu Yanxi and Liam were in the kitchen baking cupcakes. There was a knock on the door. Since they rarely had visitors and weren¡¯t expecting anyone, it was Noah most probably. Liam dered excitedly that it was Noah and he was going to get the door. His lovely Mister Noah would join in the cake party!


    Some time passed and Liam hadn¡¯t returned inside. Gu Yanxi went outside to find him but to her greatest dismay, he wasn¡¯t outside and the door was ajar. What happened? She checked close by for him but he was nowhere and Noah¡¯s car wasn¡¯t in sight. She was panic-stricken and ran inside.


    ¡°Emily, I¡­ I.. can¡¯t find him!¡±


    Emily¡¯s mind went nk. Her son? Missing?


    It was at this time that Noah arrived. On getting to the door, he noticed themotion.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Is Liam with you?¡±


    ¡°Liam? I only arrived!¡±


    ¡°Oh my God!¡± Emily screamed and fell down. Noah held her and asked what the problem was.


    ¡°There was a knock on the door and he came to answer it thinking it was you. That was just a few minutes ago and he¡¯s nowhere to be found now.¡±


    Noah was instantly alert. Liam wouldn¡¯t wander off with strangers and won¡¯t y carelessly.


    ¡°Have you checked the CCTV?¡±


    They haven¡¯t. Emily was so worried that she forgot something like that existed.


    On getting there, they checked the footage and they only saw when a car pulled up, Liam opened the door and that was all.


    Noah knew that it had been tampered with. Whoever came clearly had no good intentions. He gave his keys to Gu Yanxi and asked her to get hisptop from the car. This time, she was very cooperative. In no time, she returned with theptop. Emily was already crying and refused to be consoled.


    He input the required codes and the footage was retrieved. It took him a longer time that usual, he guessed the person who did this was a master in the game but he proved to be the smartest.


    Liam opened the door and a masked man came into sight. He covered the boy¡¯s mouth and whisked him away. He put him into the car and zoomed off. The car¡¯s licence number was covered making it difficult to track the car.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Emily screamed and fainted. It was too much for her. Her only son was just kidnapped.

 Chapter 90

    Gu Yanxi ran to Emily and tried to resuscitate her. She opened her eyes soon and all she could think of was her son.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? What did that innocent child do?¡±


    ¡°Easy, he will be found soon.¡±


    He made a phone call and instructed the security to get to work immediately. He also instructed them to search quietly. He didn¡¯t want to make whoever was behind it aware of their movements. The search began and every part of the town wasbed.


    Emily and Gu Yanxi pushed aside every difference, grievance and misunderstanding and pleaded with Noah.


    ¡°Please, help me, he¡¯s my only son!¡±


    Noah promised to help and he helped wholeheartedly. He too loved and treasured Liam. He also mobilised his men and the search was thorough. Emily worked very hard and cooperated with them on the search.


    By 11:00am, Noah excused himself. He had a flight to catch at noon. He left them with the assurance that Liam would be found.


    Could it be Rose¡¯s handiwork? Could it be her family members? Who did she offend in recent times? She couldn¡¯t think of anyone. She had peaceful encounters with everyone she came across. Then who could have done this?


    Night fell and the boy still wasn¡¯t found. Emily and Gu Yanxi couldn¡¯t sleep. That was the most difficult time for them. Looking at both of them, one wouldn¡¯t even know who Liam¡¯s biological mother was. They were both shaken the same way. Gu Yanxi loved Liam like he was her own son.


    Noah returned two dayster and was dismayed at theck of progress. He decided to conduct the search himself.


    He sat in his office and stared at his picture with Liam. Something urred to him.


    That day, Noah had taken Liam for a business survey and they returned to the office.


    While they were both in his office, a conversation began and they talked about inte security. Liam told him he could install a security in his watch which could help locate him at all times.


    That day, Noah hadughed it off but he ced an order for two wrist watches and they both did it together. They installed GPS location in their wrist watches. It was for fun, but now, it was useful. Liam went everywhere with his wrist watch from that day onwards.


    He quickly called Emily.


    ¡°Was your son wearing a wrist watch at that time?¡±


    ¡°Did you see him anywhere?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. I want to find out something.¡±


    ¡°Yanxi! Yanxi! Was Liam putting on his wrist watch that morning?¡±


    Gu Yanxi answered from the background but it was loud enough for Noah to hear.


    ¡°I think. He was checking time for the cakes. He either had it on his wrist or in his pocket. Any problem?¡±


    Noah had gotten what he wanted.


    ¡°Alright.¡± He ended the call and grabbed hisptop. He knew just what to do next.


    Emily sat down on the sofa looking very dejected. The doorbell rang and it was Noah. She sprang up and asked,Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Have you found him?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. But he will be found soon.¡±


    He saw the ring on the table and took it in his hands.


    This was his gold ring. It was exactly the same as the one Benny had. He realised that he had never actually given Benny¡¯s ring a close look. How did Benny¡¯s ring end up in Liam¡¯s hands? Did she get rid of it in fury after he called off the marriage? If she did, how did Liam find it?


    He wanted to ask Emily how the ring got to the house but that wasn¡¯t the right time for such questions. She was only worried about her son at the moment


    Noah sat in the dimly lit  living room. The only sound that was heard was his breathing and the tapping of his fingers on the keyboard. There was no signal from the watch for a long time but he kept trying. He was highlyputer literate so he knew his way around.


    When he was younger, his mother wanted to send him outside the country to acquireplete knowledge ofputers, hacking and decoding. Unfortunately, she died before he did so. He vowed to do what she wanted him to do. He travelled out after her death and made sure to aplish that.


    Codes were input, he worked for a long time and finally navigated through the jammers and located the watch. The location was the least ce he expected.


    ¡°Poor boy. He must be so scared. I will find you soon.¡±


    Noah gave instructions to the search team. He asked that they convey at a location the following morning. The ce he traced the watch was very dangerous at night. It was a rocky mountain side and the mountain was steep and sometimes slippery. Lives could be lost in the rescue and he didn¡¯t want that.


    The image of the ring shed into his mind again. He called Benny and invited her over.


    Benny was overjoyed at the invitation. He was finally taking her back!


    About an hourter, Benny showed up in his ce. This was the first time he was inviting her over so she felt very confident about it. She sat down beside him and he switched on the full lights of the living room.


    He took her hand in his and she held her breath. Does he want to kiss her hands?


    The ring was still in its ce in her hand. Howe a duplicate was found in Liam¡¯s possession?


    Noah gently pulled out her ring and held it in his hands. He studied it closely for a full minute. Benny was getting ufortable. She stretched her hands and took the ring from him.


    ¡°Do you want to customize another of the same kind? The ring is very beautiful and shiny. That would be great. I will have one while you have the other. We will be together forever.¡±


    Noah smiled at her and nodded.


    ¡°Right.¡±


    Benny waited for the next positive news from Noah. She was the happiest person that day.

 Chapter 91

    Early the following morning, Noah set off with the mobilized men. He wanted to go there himself. But before he left, he went to see how Emily was faring.


    She looked better than she was the previous day. Maybe it was because she was too weak to continue crying.


    Gu Yanxi looked unkempt too. Her hair was a mess but she wasn¡¯t crying anymore. She went closer to Noah and  pleaded with him,


    ¡°Please, find him. Emily will be so broken if he doesn¡¯t return before nightfall. I spent the whole night consoling her. Please.¡±


    ¡°I promise to do my best. Take care of her.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Take care of yourself too and be safe.¡±


    She ced her hands on his shoulder to reassure him. His heart stopped beating and he froze. The effect of her touch was electrifying. She noticed his reaction and withdrew her hands.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Noah left the house without another word, as was very typical of him.


    Noah went with his men to the location. As he guessed, the security was tight. It was a mountain and themunication signal wasn¡¯t clear.


    Noah didn¡¯t go out with them. His men were many and they were stronger. They quickly overpowered the others. They didn¡¯t kill them as was instructed. Noah wanted to make sure they paid for their sins. They dared toy a finger on his son!


    When thest man standing saw that others had been overpowered and he had no chance of escape, he quickly drew out a knife and ced it on Liam¡¯s neck, frightening the boy to death.


    ¡°If you move, I will rip his neck!¡±


    They all stood back and thought of what to do. The man still held Liam captive and screamed,


    ¡°Move! Retreat all of you or I will kill him!¡±


    The pressure from the knife was much and made a slight cut on Liam¡¯s neck. Blood dripped slowly and tears ran down the boy¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t make a noise, the tears only ran silently.


    On the spur of the moment, Liam¡¯s captor received a terrifying blow on the head and he fell t on his face and passed out. Liam turned to see what happened. It was Noah! He appeared just in time and saved him. He carried the boy to his car safely. His men took care of the criminals. They were hauled into the waiting police van and taken to the station. They were ten in number.


    He rushed Liam to the hospital and he was quickly attended to. He sent his driver to bring Emily to the hospital.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Emily came alone as Gu Yanxi had stepped out. When she saw her son, her heart calmed down and she smiled for the first time in many days. Liam was away for five days.


    With great joy in her heart, she thanked Noah profusely. Noah didn¡¯t answer, he only stared at her for some time. She was forced to ask what the matter was.


    ¡°The ring on the table in your house. How did ite about?¡±


    Emily swallowed and stared at him.


    ¡°W.. what ring?¡±


    ¡°The one Liam has.¡±


    ¡°I.. he.. it..¡±she stammered looking for the right words. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to tell him how she got it. It was a bit embarrassing.


    Heavens heard her silent cry and her phone rang. It was Gu Yanxi. For security reasons, the receptionist wanted to confirm before letting them in. She looked at Noah for his consent.


    ¡°It¡¯s up to you.¡±


    After saying that, he stood up and left the room. Gu Yanxi came in with Jessy a few minutester. Emily was surprised to see him.


    ¡°Jessy?¡±


    ¡°You know him?¡±


    ¡°Not really. The Governess sent me to him on one asion.¡±


    Jessy didn¡¯t spare her a second nce.


    ¡°She¡¯s my very good friend, she¡¯s my sister too. The one I told you about.¡±


    He grunted in response and went to Liam¡¯s bedside.


    ¡°How¡¯s he?¡± he inquired from no one in particr.


    ¡°He¡¯s feeling better. He was rescued in time.¡±


    ¡°How about you? You are okay now, right? Yanxi told me you haven¡¯t been yourself in days.¡±


    Emily was surprised. He didn¡¯t even notice her in the beginning but here he was asking if she was alright.


    ¡°Yes, I am fine. Thank you for your concern.¡±


    ¡°Emily, where¡¯s President Noah?¡±


    Jessy turned at the mention of that name.


    ¡°He left just before you guys came in. He mighte back soon.¡±


    ¡°I need to see him and thank him. How were they able to save him?¡±


    ¡°My dear, I have been too excited and  upied with looking after Liam. I haven¡¯t asked him yet. It¡¯s good enough that my son is safe and he¡¯s safe too.¡±


    There was a soft tap on the door and Noah came in. His eyes met with Jessy and lingered for some seconds. Gu Yanxi, who was very observant, noticed the hostile air between them.


    ¡°Good afternoon, president Noah.¡±


    ¡°How are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Yanxi, you guys know each other?¡±


    ¡°Yes.  He¡¯s¡­¡±


    She realized she didn¡¯t even know who he was. There were no words to describe his rtionship with either her or Emily. She quickly changed the topic.


    ¡°President Noah, how did you find him?¡±


    ¡°His watch. We tracked it some time ago. I located the signal and found where he was.¡±


    ¡°Do you know who¡¯s behind it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m yet to investigate.¡±


    Noah opened the door after talking to her and left. Jessy followed him immediately. Jessy crumpled a piece of paper and threw it at him. Noah turned to see who did that. He already guessed it would be Jessy.


    ¡°Are you currying favours? That¡¯s a cheap habit.¡±


    Noah turned around and grabbed him by the cor.


    ¡°You should and must desist from stopping me on the road or annoying me.¡±


    He looked up and saw that Gu Yanxi was watching them from the door. He let go of Jessy and adjusted his shirt.


    ¡°Tell Emily I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    Gu Yanxi walked to his side and wrapped her arms around him!

 Chapter 92

    The effect was the same as the former. His heart stopped beating and his body froze but she didn¡¯t release him as she did thest time. Tears of joy ran down her face.


    ¡°Thank you for bringing him back. Thank you for making us happy again.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±


    He gently released himself from her embrace. Jessy looked on in fury.


    Noah sat in his car and thought about what just happened. Why did he always feel strange with her?


    He instructed his driver to go to the office.


    ¡°Sir.. your shirt.¡±


    ¡°What? What shirt?¡± he nced at the driver and then at his shirt. Gu Yanxi had cried on him and his shirt had tear marks. A few strands of her hair were also on his shirt.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home first.¡±


    Noah unbuttoned his shirt and a thought urred to him. He wrapped the hair strands in a handkerchief and put it away safely in his drawers.


    Emily stared at him, unable to speak. She finally opened up and told him how she got the ring.


    Five years ago, after her one night stand, she woke up and found out that the stranger had given her a ring. She had kept it with her since that day. It seemed too precious to be discarded. When she realized she was pregnant, she kept it even safer. That was the only possession she would give her son as his father¡¯s.


    ¡°But why do you ask? Why are you concerned about the ring? I noticed you looked at it closely thest time you saw it.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a beautiful ring. Why didn¡¯t you tell me about this since?¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t necessary.¡±


    Emily and Noah had gotten friendlier since the kidnap incident.


    Noah drove to Benny¡¯s house from there. He let her stay in his Vi till month end. She had a week more to stay.


    She weed him with open arms but he shot her a hostile look. He looked at her innocent face that seemed to carry no deceit.


    ¡°Baby..¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Where did you get that ring from?¡±


    ¡°What ring?¡±


    ¡°That ring on your finger. Don¡¯t you dare to act cool right now!¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you gave it to me that night.¡±


    ¡°That filthy thing is not my ring. Where did you get it?¡±


    Benny realized she had been caught. She held onto his legs and pleaded,Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Forgive me, president Noah. I am sorry.¡±


    A year ago, she overheard the news from one of Noah¡¯s men. She was near a bush part when she heard of it. The man was asking the other person about it on the phone. She was well hidden and he didn¡¯t notice her. It happened that a friend of hers worked for Noah. But he was always reluctant to share any information rted to him.


    She drugged his drink and seduced him. The effect of the drug, coupled with her feminine charms made him let the cat out of the bag. Although he didn¡¯t say much, she saw the picture on his phone. Since that day, she made ns to rece that woman and be Noah¡¯s wife. She was able to understand more from the questions Noah asked her when they first met. She wanted to be Mrs Harper at all costs. She wanted the fame, respect and  power attached to the name. She also wanted to be the wife of the most handsome and most eligible bachelor.


    Fortunately for her, her crafty designer did that job very well and the counterfeit couldn¡¯t be noticed except by a very observant person. Noah never looked at her ring closely for one day. On the surface, it looked exactly like his so he had no reason to doubt. Moreover, it wasn¡¯t known to anyone that he was looking for his ring, so he suspected nothing. His men as well were very thorough in their duties and seldom made mistakes.


    Noah red at her with hate. She dared to deceive him! He freed himself from her grip and she knelt before him, pleading for mercy.


    He was still thinking of how best to deal with her when his phone rang.


    ¡°Sir, we have found the master nner. The men have confessed and we have carried out a thorough investigation.¡±


    ¡°Who is behind it?¡±


    ¡°Sir, it¡¯s Miss Benny Jones, your fianc¨¦e.¡±


    Noah¡¯s hands trembled and he grabbed Benny.


    ¡°How dare you! How dare you harm Liam!¡±


    Benny knew she was done for. There was no way she could deny it. She heard his conversation with the man clearly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was jealous but I shouldn¡¯t have acted rashly.¡±


    ¡°Jealous? Of what exactly? Of the boy! Damn! You have no excuse, you evil genius.¡±


    ¡°Please, forgive me, president Noah.¡±


    In no time, he handed her over to the security for her to be dealt with ordingly.


    Noah was annoyed that he spent months with such an evil woman.  She masterminded the kidnap of a little innocent child just to make his mother pay. How could she? He med himself for trusting in his men¡¯s judgement and not checking the ring. He couldn¡¯t believe he was fooled.


    Since the ring was fake, it meant that Liam was his son and Emily was the woman he slept with five years ago. Little wonder he longed for her and her every move impressed him.


    He thought of the right way to break the news to her. He didn¡¯t want only his son. He wanted Emily as well. He was happy that they were getting along now. Even Gu Yanxi was no longer hostile to him.


    His new project was almostpleted. He was building a shoppingplex that housed virtually everything one needed. The building waspleted and the goods had started arriving. Emily¡¯s idea worked very well and it helped the building a lot. He surveyed the building that morning and smiled in satisfaction.


    His doctor¡¯s called him some minutester.


    ¡°Sir, the DNA results are ready. It¡¯s confirmed that she¡¯s rted to you.¡±


    Noah was shocked. Gu Yanxi was his sister?

 Chapter 93

    He found it difficult to believe that. When he saw her hair strands on his clothes, he thought of carrying out some tests. He always felt strange around her and always condoned her intransigence. The test results proved they had the same blood flowing in their veins.


    He didn¡¯t ept it so easily. He was very careful now especially after Benny¡¯s incident. He investigated this news as well as the issue of Liam and his one night stand with a strange woman.


    Emily was watching the news that afternoon. President Noah was shown on the screen. Histest project wasunched that day and it was broadcast on the news.


    ¡°He¡¯s so handsome,¡± she muttered. He had a perfect profile and his lips were inviting. She recalled how his lips felt on hers. Unconsciously, she raised her fingers and touched her lips.


    ¡°What the heck am I thinking?¡±


    She quickly chided herself for having such thoughts. She should never think of that when he has a fianc¨¦e.


    In the silence of her heart, she looked forward to seeing him but he didn¡¯t show up for days and she was unhappy about it. She was surprised at her disappointment.


    Emily and Liam wereing out from the hospital, they hade for a check up. She sighted Rose at the other side. She too hade for a check up after her stay in the prison. She still med Emily for everything. She ran towards her and screamed,


    ¡± You! You unfilial daughter! You are happy now, right? You wanted me dead, maybe you think I will nevere out. I am out now and I will give you exactly what you deserve!¡±


    Emily stared at her in silence. She didn¡¯t want her son to be involved in all of this. She turned to walk away but Rose grabbed her forcefully.


    ¡°Do you think I will let you leave just like that? Huh?¡±


    ¡°Rose, let me go.¡±


    ¡°Let you go? After all that you have done?¡±


    Emily thought it was high time she taught Rose a lesson. She bent down and whispered to her son,


    ¡°Go to the car and wait for me.¡±


    The boy nodded, red at the bad aunty who came to trouble his mother and went away. Rose noticed his face.


    ¡°Ohhh! Your son. Finally your sins have caught up with you. You now have kids out of wedlock, you prostitute¡­¡±


    Emily cut her short with a deafening p. It took her some time to process what happened.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Did Emily really hit her? She was seeing stars as well. When she recovered from the p, she turned to grab Emily. Their parents ran towards them and pulled Rose away.


    Emily stared at them in surprise. Have they changed? When did they start dealing with issues as they were and judiciously too?


    In the past they would join forces with Rose and heap the me on her irrespective of who was at fault.


    She waited a little, expecting them toe back but they didn¡¯t. Emily only found out the reason muchter.


    Noah had given strict instructions to the family concerning her. They were never to disturb her if they wanted peace and happiness in their family. The thought that he defended her warmed her heart. She wasn¡¯t going to forget to show gratitude.


    Liam has recovered fully now but he hasn¡¯t seen Noah in days. He asked his mum about him and sadly, she couldn¡¯t provide an answer.


    A week went past, the second ended too. Emily came to terms with the fact that Noah had left their lives for good. He had let her return to the peaceful life she lived.


    Noah concluded the investigation about Gu Yanxi. It was clear and beyond reasonable doubt that she was his sister. He finally found her! He had been looking for her for so many years but there was no trace of her. He didn¡¯t know she lived in a strangend.


    ¡°Mister Noah is here!¡± Liam announced excitedly. After the exchange of pleasantries and Liamining that Noah didn¡¯te to see him in the past weeks, Noah requested to see Gu Yanxi privately. She was preparing for her dinner date with Jessy. She frowned when he called her. She wanted to prepare  specially for this date. She was checking her wardrobe for the right choice of clothes and shoes when Noah interrupted. She hoped he wouldn¡¯t take her time.


    ¡°Be brief please. I am going on a date.¡±


    ¡°This afternoon?¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s a dinner date.¡±


    ¡°You still have a lot of time.¡±


    ¡°I know but I want to get ready early. I don¡¯t want to look less of how I imagined.¡±


    Noah smiled. She was a very good definition of a girl in love. It struck his mind that this boyfriend might be Jessy and his face changed visibly.


    ¡°Is Jessy your boyfriend?¡±


    Gu Yanxi blushed. Noah guessed the answer was positive. He wouldn¡¯t let his sister have anything to do with that slimy bastard!


    ¡°Let¡¯s get down to the reason I sent for you. I will go straight to the point. It might sound strange.¡±


    ¡°Okay. What¡¯s it?¡±


    Noah was seldom known to have a heart to heart conversation with people. She wondered what it was he had to say. She was certain it was something serious and important.


    ¡°I did my research and some findings and there is something about you. Can I know your background? How did you grow up and everything?¡±


    She looked at him. Why was he asking her that?


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡±


    ¡°And why?¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t pleasant and it¡¯s not something I will like to talk about.¡±


    Damn! Did she have a hard time growing up? He swore to make it up to her and let her live the rest of her days in happiness. He held her hands and looked directly at her.


    ¡°Twenty- two years ago, my mother got pregnant with her second child. She put to bed but passed out shortly after. The child too was said to have died but no, the child didn¡¯t die. That child is you!¡±

 Chapter 94

    ¡°Me? What are you talking about? How can you say something absurd?¡±


    ¡°You might not ept it readily but it¡¯s true. I have spent so many years looking for you.¡±


    ¡°How did you know that I am your sister? Is it because I treat you differently? Is it because I don¡¯t fear you like every other person?¡±


    ¡°No. That day at the hospital, you leaned on me and wept. Your hair wasn¡¯t ited and you left a few strands on my cloth. I carried out a DNA test and you are my sister. We can still go for another test together.¡±


    Gu Yanxi starred at him and tears rolled down her beautiful face.


    ¡°I grew up as a very happy child until my mother got pregnant when I was seven years old. Immediately she put to bed, everything changed. She treated me differently. She made me do everything in the house and even stopped me from calling her mum.¡±


    ****************************************************


    Gu Yanxi rinsed the tes her mother gave her and returned them to her.


    ¡°It¡¯s here mummy.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s your mummy?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    The woman pped her.


    ¡°Disrespectful child. Why will you say ¡®huh¡¯ to your elders?¡±


    She handed the baby to the nanny and faced Gu Yanxi. She yelled at her and warned her never to call her mother.


    ¡°I am not your mother. Go and find her wherever she is!¡±


    She didn¡¯t beat her because her father was at home.¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    She was puzzled. Her own mother was asking her never to call her mum?


    That was when her nightmares began.  The little girl grew up and learnt discrimination from her mother. She stopped at nothing to get Gu Yanxi punished. Shemitted crimes at home and heaped the me on Gu Yanxi. Of course, her doting mother believed her and Gu Yanxi paid for crimes she knew nothing about. The only person who saved her was her father but he was seldom at home.


    She bore her grief with a strong heart until she turned fourteen and could bear it no more. Hope of any positive change was very thin. Her father had tried to talk her mother out of maltreating her but it only earned Gu Yanxi more punishment.


    ¡°Ohh! Silly child. You have gone to report me to my own husband. There will be no dinner for you. Join the servants to finish up the chores and go to bed,¡± was a very regrment in her life.


    Her father fell ill and fearing he wouldn¡¯t get out of that condition, he told her the true story. They weren¡¯t her biological parents! They had adopted her when  they had no child.


    As soon as she entered the family, good things began to happen. He got the job he had been applying for and they travelled to China. Everything moved on well for them and his wife, who had no child for many years got pregnant!


    Gu Yanxi stayed by her father¡¯s bed side, taking care of him and praying everyday thatbhe survive. But heavens had other ns for her.


    She just entered his room that morning and he  gestured her toe close. He held her hands in reassurance and they stayed like that for a minute.


    ¡°You will be fine, dad. You will be alright.¡±


    Then he asked her to go and get the nurse. She hurried out like a rushing wind and came back with the nurse in no time. The nurse checked the man and asked her to leave. She was told to go to the reception so that her father would rest.


    She waited for some time in the reception and got ufortable. She wanted to stay by her father even while he rested. She started off and when she got there, the door of the room was closed. She knocked but there was no response. She assumed the nurses had left and her father was sleeping. She opened the door and s! He wasn¡¯t there. She ran out like a lunatic and met a sight that traumatised her for years. Her father was lying on the stretcher, stone cold. He was dead. Her life too had crumbled and ended! She wept and refused to be consoled.


    Her mother med her for the death of her husband. His death gave her enough freedom to maltreat her as she liked. Often, she sent the poor child outside without food in the winter! She wore a thin dress and the cold was terrific. She was thin and hungry. When she couldn¡¯t bear it anymore, she packed her bags and left the house.


    It was good riddance! Her mother never cared to look for her. Gu Yanxi met a good woman who needed a house servant and a nanny. She spent the next few years with that woman until her services were no longer needed. Then she saved up and got an apartment of her own. She went job hunting and did a lot of jobs to fend for herself. It was on one of her job interviews that Emily met her.


    Since the day her father told her she was adopted from an orphanage, she always hoped to see at least one of her biological parents but she knew it wasn¡¯t possible. She grew in the orphanage which possibly meant she was an orphan.


    She lived other years of her life staying strong and grooming herself to be the woman she wanted to be proud of.


    ***************************************************


    She wiped the tears she didn¡¯t know was flowing and sniffed.


    ¡°I am only grateful that I didn¡¯t drown myself in self pity. I am happy for where I am now.¡±


    Noah offered her his handkerchief and helped her wipe her tears.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I promise to make it up to you. You will never be unhappy from this day, I owe it to you.¡±


    Gu Yanxi stared at him again. Was this really true? She needed to be very sure. Noah guessed her thoughts and said,


    ¡°Let¡¯s go for another test together.¡±


    She readily epted. She kept her fingers crossed and told no one, not even Emily about it until the results were out. Noah wasn¡¯t mistaken. She, Gu Yanxi, was the long lost daughter of the Harper family!

 Chapter 95

    ¡°Noah, when are you going toe and see me?¡±


    ¡°See you? Dad, do you want me to travel to visit you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m back. I returned two days ago.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Goodness me!! I totally forgot you were spending only two weeks. I will definitely make time toe and see you today.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I will be expecting you.¡±


    Noah thought of taking Gu Yanxi with him. He asked her toe to his office and they went from there.


    ¡°Good evening, young master,¡± the servants greeted in unison.


    ¡°Where¡¯s dad?¡± he asked, ignoring their greetings totally.


    The old Butler smiled at him and answered,


    ¡°He¡¯s in his room upstairs.¡±


    ¡°Why isn¡¯t he downstairs? Is he okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes, he is.¡±


    Mr Joshua was seldom in his room at that time. This was his reading time and he spent it in the study.


    Noah nodded. He asked Gu Yanxi to make herselffortable and went up the stairs. He took a step forward and stopped. He turned to the old Butler and asked after him.


    ¡°And how are you, Mr. John?¡±


    ¡°I am very fine, thank you, young Master. How do you do too?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    The butler¡¯s grin almost reached his ear. For the first time in many years, Noah asked after him and he was very happy. He had spent many years in that house and knew when Noah was a child. Till he left the house after his mother¡¯s death, they exchanged very brief pleasantries everyday but it changed after he returned.


    Hence, great was the old butler¡¯s joy when Noah did what he used to do in the past.


    The  broad grin on the man¡¯s face nearly made himugh. He tapped softly on the door and entered when he was invited in. His father was sitting on his bed, reading a book.


    ¡°You are here.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I said I wille. Why are you reading here and not your study?¡±


    ¡°I just decided to stay here. Is there a problem?¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just that I¡¯m used to your reading there at this time of the day. But that¡¯s by the way. How was your trip?¡±


    ¡°It was good, son. Thanks to you, I feel better now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how holidays are meant to be. Refreshing and invigorating.¡±


    Noah hesitated briefly. He moved closer to his father on the bed.


    ¡°I found her, dad.¡±


    ¡°You found who?¡±


    ¡°My sister.¡±


    ¡°What sister is that?¡±


    ¡°The child that mum gave birth to before she died.¡±


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? I told you the child passed away as well. Why? I thought you had epted the truth after your research? Didn¡¯t you go through the hospital files?¡±


    ¡°I did. There was nothing in it because something was altered. This is beyond every doubt. She¡¯s my sister, I have conducted the tests.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your business.¡±


    ¡°Tell me dad, what actually happened? Tell me the truth I need to know.¡±


    ¡°I should tell you what happened where? And what truth do you need to know?¡±


    ¡°I want to know what really transpired between you and my mum and how she gave birth to that child.¡±


    Mr Joshua closed the page he held in between his fingers and ced the book on the table.


    ¡°Listen. I have told you all that you should know as an adult and as a child. Your mother lost her life and the baby followed suit. Every other thing you are saying, imagining or insinuating is up to you and you mustn¡¯t bother me with it.


    I thought you came to wee me from my trip?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s what I am here for.¡±


    ¡°But you have ended up digging up a topic that we have rounded up with.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because I need to know the truth.¡±


    ¡°If you will keep saying that, then you can leave the house.¡±


    ¡°I came with her.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°My sister.¡±


    ¡°You alone know what you are talking about. I think it¡¯s time for you to leave and let me read my book in peace.¡±


    The old man focused his attention once more on the book. He clearly wasn¡¯t interested in talking to Noah anymore.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to close the door when you leave.¡±


    ¡°Alright dad.¡± he answered and left the room, closing the door behind him.


    ¡°Where¡¯s he?¡± Gu Yanxi asked when he came downstairs.


    ¡°He¡¯s upstairs. We will see him next time. Let¡¯s go back.¡±


    ¡°Where will you drop off? At Emily¡¯s ce or do you want to go anywhere?¡±


    ¡°I am going home of course.¡±


    ¡°You can stay at my ce if you want.¡±


    ¡°No, president Noah. I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°When did you ever call me president Noah? You always opened your mouth wide and called me by my name.¡±


    ¡°We weren¡¯t friends then.¡±


    ¡°But we are siblings now and you chose to add the President. Interesting, Yanxi. Hey, you need to change that name of yours.¡±


    ¡°Why? I love that name.¡±


    ¡°Because you are now a Harper. Mum wanted her daughter to bear the name Nelly. So, I think you should pick up an English name. Gu Yanxi is Chinese.¡±


    ¡°Nelly, Gu Yanxi. I still love my name.¡±


    Noah looked at her and smiled at her childish behaviour.


    Her phone beeped and she eximed,


    ¡°Ohh! I nearly forgot. Can you drop me off at Bingley¡¯s ce? I just remembered I have a date with Jessy.¡±


    The smile on her face contrasted sharply with his mean face.


    ¡°What¡¯s your rtionship with Jessy?¡±


    ¡°Jessy? He¡¯s my boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°Ohh. I see.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? You guys don¡¯t seem to get along.¡±


    ¡°Drop me off at home then you take her wherever she¡¯s going,¡± he ordered the driver.


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Yanxi, you will have to find out from Jessy.¡±


    ¡°Why, when you can easily tell me?¡±


    ¡°He will tell you if you ask him.¡±


    They didn¡¯t talk again until Noah got home. The driver opened the door for him and he alighted. He looked straight into Gu Yanxi¡¯s eyes and said,


    ¡°As long as I live, and I am your brother, I will never let you have anything to do with Jessy.¡±

 Chapter 96

    ¡°Tell me Jessy, how did you know Noah?¡±


    ¡°Noah?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I want to know your rtionship with him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not important, baby.¡±


    ¡°It is. I want to know.¡±


    ¡°We¡­ we are just having issues at the moment. It¡¯s nothing serious.¡±


    ¡°You are hiding something from me¡­¡± she began but Jessy sealed her lips with a kiss.


    ¡°Wow. Finally, you are back to your roots. Fate has its own way of designing things.¡±


    ¡°But, how do you really see this? Out of the blues, I belong to the Harper family?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s surprising and sudden but that doesn¡¯t make it absurd.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your ex husband¡¯s sister? You don¡¯t feel ufortable about it?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t have to. What matters is our good and cordial rtionship and not the name or status attached to someone.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°Will you go back with us after the holidays?¡±


    ¡°I will love to. Yes, I will.¡±


    ¡°Will Noah let you go? He¡¯s basically all over you.¡±


    ¡°I think he loved that sister of his even before she was born. He ced her above his own life and interest. He probably vowed to do everything she asked of him. That man has a soft side that you will never know of.¡±


    ¡°Behind that horrible face is a tender heart. Liam has enjoyed him to the core. Aren¡¯t you thinking of staying back? He will give you a job here, of course¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I want to go back. My whole life was there. It¡¯s going to be very difficult to leave everything, including you. If I stay back, will you stay with me?¡±


    ¡°Common Yanxi. My life, business and career is based there. There is nothing for me to do in this country.¡±


    ¡°Then I will go with you!¡±


    ¡°The choice is yours to make but I don¡¯t think going back is the best choice. We will miss our Aunty Yanxi.¡±


    They made their way into the private burial ground and when they got to her grave, Noah crouched and dropped the flowers he was holding. Gu Yanxi dropped hers too. She hade to pay respect to her mother. It was their mother¡¯s death anniversary and consequently her birthday.


    She noticed the old flowers on the grave were exactly the same ones they came with.


    ¡°Does your mum love these flowers so much?¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t just my mum. She¡¯s our mum.¡±


    ¡°Ohh. Yes, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how long and how hard I tried to find you. I spent twenty two years looking for you. I searched on the surface some years, other years I looked carefully and other years, I gave up. But in all of these, I strongly believed I would find you and bring you to see her.¡±


    ¡°But how did I leave the family?¡±


    ¡°That is a story I don¡¯t know. I have looked for answers everywhere but it¡¯s well covered and sealed. Just like you surfaced unexpectedly, that answer wille soon.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Mum and I waited for years to have you. I always wanted a sister and you can imagine my joy when mum took in. I didn¡¯t leave her side all through the period. When the scan said it was a baby girl, I was overjoyed. I promised to be the best big brother on earth. The cry of the baby further strengthened my resolve to give her everything she deserved as my blood. Mum passed away and the child was also said to be dead. I was devastated. I lost mum and my only sister too. The cry of the baby lingered in my heart for years and I refused to believe she was gone. And today, I was proved right. You weren¡¯t gone. You are here today.¡±


    He pulled her into his embrace and held her closely. She observed him from a close range.


    ¡°Wow. Her brother was really handsome.¡±


    He released her from his embrace and stared in a particr direction. She followed his line of sight and saw a man walking into the graveyard. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers.


    Noah looked again to be sure his eyes weren¡¯t ying tricks on him. Did his fathere to see his mother? He had never been there since his mother died.


    ¡°Dad?¡±


    He jumped in fright and quickly maintained his  bnce.


    ¡°Noah. I didn¡¯t expect you will be here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s mum¡¯s anniversary, I have to be here.¡±


    ¡°I mean, you should go to work.¡±


    ¡°Good morning sir,¡± greeted Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°Morning.¡±


    ¡°Dad, did you reallye to see my mum? After all these years?¡±


    ¡°Who is that with you?¡±


    ¡°My sister.¡±


    His old and eagle like eyes studied her closely.  He made her ufortable and she fidgeted under his frightening and intimidating look. He frowned at that.


    ¡°A child of your mother should not shiver when they are being stared at. Your mother was not a weakling. She stood her ground and stood up to a lot of people.¡±


    ¡°Dad? You do acknowledge that she¡¯s my sister and your daughter?¡±


    ¡°Your sister, yes. My daughter, no. Now, enough of those questions let me do what I am here for.¡±


    Noah  stepped aside and watched as his father ced the bouquet of flowers on her grave. That flower used to be amon sight in their house. He always bought it for her anytime he returned from his business trip.¡±


    The more he watched, the more ufortable and curious he got. He decided to ask his question and satisfy his rising curiosity.


    ¡°Dad, mum has been here for over twenty years. You never visited for one day. Why did you show up today with the regr flower you always bought her?¡±


    ¡°I owe this to her. When you told me that you had brought her daughter back, I decided toe and see her.¡±


    ¡°Meaning, you acknowledge she has a daughter?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡±


    ¡°You are making things allplicated and confusing. You said it initially that the child lost her life too. Now, you said she has a daughter?¡±


    ¡°I am tired son. Now, I am affirming that she had a daughter.¡±

 Chapter 97

    Noah stared at his retreating figure. His father had exnations to make and he will go to him that morning after work.


    Let¡¯s go,¡± he said, reaching out to hold her hands.


    ¡°You can visit her next time if you want. I have been wondering who you took after in your physical appearance. It¡¯s definitely not mummy or daddy. Maybe a distant rtive.¡±


    ¡°Can I see more of your mum¡¯s pictures?¡±


    ¡°Uhmmm, that will be when I go back to the house.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I wish I had met mom at least.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t feel bad about it. I¡¯m here for you too.¡±


    ¡°Imagine my birthday coinciding with her death anniversary. It doesn¡¯t sound good.¡±


    ¡°And it doesn¡¯t sound bad either. Common, don¡¯t be a cry baby. Can youe to the officeter today with Liam and his mum? I want to celebrate your birthday.¡±


    ¡°Awnnn! Thank you so much brother.¡±


    Noah smiled at the word ¡®brother.¡¯ He waited twenty two whole years to hear that word he longed to hear.


    Gu Yanxi had no issues at all. They were getting along very well as siblings but the only problem was Jessy. They both remembered Jessy at the same time.


    ¡°President Noah¡­¡±


    ¡°You can just call me Noah. You don¡¯t need to add President.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ let¡¯s see. Noah..¡±


    They bothughed.


    ¡°See, did it bite? It sounds better and less formal.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. It sounds better. Noah, Noah Noah! That will make nice music.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tease me, baby girl.¡±


    ¡°Yes president Harper,¡± she said and made a mock bow.


    Noah smiled at her. She was the sister he always longed to have. How sweet.


    ¡°Emm, Noah, Jessy didn¡¯t tell me anything about both of you. Please, can you at least tell me something?¡±


    ¡°We used to be best of friends, but now, we are arch enemies.¡±


    ¡°Ouchh! That¡¯s a huge gap. Best friends to arch enemies? Mind telling me what happened?¡±


    They got to their car and Noah unlocked it. He turned on the ignition and drove off. Some secondster, he turned and answered her.


    ¡°He changed. We grew up as inseparable friends. We promised each other forever but I don¡¯t know what caused his change of mind ten years ago. He stabbed me and said he wanted me dead.  I let him go that time, because I still loved him like a brother and I waited for him to return to my side but he never did. I came to terms that I shouldn¡¯t be with him. He returned again to continue from where he stopped and went for my father instead. I had to give him what he deserved. Yanxi, I can¡¯t approve of that union. This is going to be the first andst thing I will ask you to do for me. Please, let Jessy go. End all of this with him.¡±


    ¡°Noah? How do you want me to do that? I love him. Please, Noah I¡­.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. Let¡¯s not talk about it now.¡±


    He pulled up in front of the house.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to see me at the office. Just call me when you get there. If you don¡¯te, you can kiss your first birthday celebration with your big brother goodbye.¡±


    ¡°Hell no! I wille.¡±


    By noon, the four of them, Noah, Emily, Gu Yanxi and Liam were at Noah¡¯s new shopping plex. Gu Yanxi asked that he take them there for shopping to celebrate her birthday. She didn¡¯t know he was the owner.


    Emily was quick to observe that Noah implemented her ideas and fortunately, they helped the business to grow. It was the talk of the town. A lot of people wanted toe there.


    Noah wore a face mask to avoid being recognized. He wanted to spend time freely with them and not hear,


    ¡°Ohh! It¡¯s president Noah!¡±


    A lot of their customers wanted to catch a glimpse of this famous man who was only seen on magazines, televisions and newspapers.


    Liam looked at the articles in the store in amazement. They were exceptionally beautiful and of good quality. The shoppingplex was surely not for the low ss.


    ¡°The owner must be so smart. Look at the designs, the arrangement, the robots ced at the right corners. Every single thing you need is here, from wrist watch to a car. He or she deserves an award for this.¡±


    It was Gu Yanxi who made thement.  Noah smiled broadly. He didn¡¯t tell her that it was his. He let her go ahead and praise him.


    Liam followed Gu Yanxi while Noah and Emily shopped alone. She was selecting jewellery when she felt a huge hand around her slim waist. She shivered a bit and looked at the


    person. It was Noah.


    With his hands still on her waist, he said,


    ¡°Let¡¯s continue shopping,¡± as if there was nothing out of ordinary with the way he held her. She tried to wriggle out of his grip.


    ¡°President Noah..¡±


    ¡°Be good. Let¡¯s continue shopping, or are you tired? Do you want me to take you inside to rest?¡±


    ¡°Let me go.¡±


    He touched her cheeks tenderly and she flushed red. He came closer and kissed her forehead.


    This was the second time he was kissing her in his right senses. Even with his face mask, he still looked handsome and adorable.


    Some minutester, they were done with shopping. Emily wanted to pay for what she bought but Noah insisted on making the payment.


    ¡°I was the one who brought you guys here, so I should pay.¡±


    He pulled a ck card from his pocket and handed it to the cashier.


    She recognized it immediately.


    ¡°President Noah!¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    He maintained his usual expressionless face. She continued her duty and returned the card to him.


    Noah and Gu Yanxi walked ahead while Emily tagged along with her son.


    Gu Yanxi leaned close to him and asked,


    ¡°Do you love Emily?¡±


    ¡°What? Yanxi..¡±


    ¡°I saw everything, good luck.¡±


    Noah shook his head and smiled.


    ¡°Silly child.¡±


    The three of them thanked Noah for that day and alighted. Noah came down and stopped Emily from leaving.

 Chapter 98

    He closed the car door and looked at her. Her face was pretty, her lips were inviting, he missed her touch. He missed her from five years ago, his body yearned for her. Emily felt his hot breathing towards her. The next instant, he gently leaned her back on the car seat and brought his face to hers. He sealed her lips in a fierce and passionate kiss.


    His kiss lingered and deepened. He longed for it and savoured every taste of her. It took so much effort and self restrain to move away from her. His cock was hard and was almost visible from his trousers.


    Emily felt a warm blush rise to her cheeks. Her phone rang at that time, saving her an awkward moment with Noah. She seized the opportunity and got away from him. Noah stared at her until she entered the house. Her full hips and the swaying movement they made as she walked didn¡¯t help matters. He drank some water, hoping that it would help him calm down.


    Noah sat with his father in the sitting room, waiting for him to start talking. He was determined to hear the whole story of his mother¡¯s daughter.


    ¡°After you were born, I didn¡¯t want another issue but your mother did. She tried but failed. Five yearster, I granted her wish. We tried to have another child but sadly, we could not. Then, there came this pregnancy. I found out at the dying minute that this wasn¡¯t my child. I had no use for her. I wasn¡¯t going to raise a bastard child, born by my legal wife. I intended to send your mum packing with the child. I can¡¯t house them if they aren¡¯t mine. When she lost her life that day, I ordered the medical practitioners to do whatever they wanted. I didn¡¯t want to set my eyes on that child. I often wondered why you refused to ept the truth and bury the hatchet. One thing still stands, I will not ept her as my daughter. She¡¯s only your mum¡¯s daughter ¡±


    Noah listened to his father with rapt attention and without interruption.


    ¡°What did the doctors do with the child?¡±


    ¡°That is something I don¡¯t know about.  She isn¡¯t my child, I am not responsible for her.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. But, I don¡¯t think mum will cheat on you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think it doesn¡¯t mean it isn¡¯t true.¡±


    ¡°How did you know she isn¡¯t carrying your child?¡±


    ¡°She told me to my face that I am not man enough.¡±


    Noah was surprised.


    ¡°Just that?¡±


    ¡°You call it just? Invariably, I can¡¯t father a child.¡±


    ¡°She might have said it in the heat of her anger.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t any anger. She said it and meant it.¡±


    ¡°Dad but¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough! I know you will defend her. She¡¯s your mother and you will see nothing wrong in what she does.¡±


    ¡°Then, why did you visit the burial ground? You never did that in the past years.¡±


    ¡°This is the twenty second year of her death. Twenty two has a significance in our family.¡±


    ¡°What significance dad?¡±


    ¡°Let me tell you one thing. Never forget it and make sure to do it. Even if you overlook anyone¡¯s death, on the twenty second anniversary, go and see that person. Visit his grave.¡±


    ¡°Why? That sounds like superstition.¡±


    ¡°Call it whatever you like. Be guided.¡±


    ¡°How about DNA?¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t any need for that. She is not my child.¡±


    ¡°Dad, she¡¯s your daughter. You just don¡¯t want to ept her.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve had issues for many years because of this so-called sister of yours. What is your problem? I have told you she¡¯s not my daughter and that¡¯s final.¡±


    ¡°I want a happy family, dad. I spent many years looking for her because I wanted us to live together.¡±


    ¡°Then go live with her. No doubt, She¡¯s your mother¡¯s daughter, if you are sure and you say so.¡±


    ¡°How is thepany going?¡± Mr Joshua asked, changing the topic.


    Noah, knowing his father too well, ended the topic there.


    ¡°Emily? What are you smiling at?¡±


    Emily turned in the direction of the voice.


    ¡°Ohh. You are back.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am and I will be going out soon. Now, why were you smiling? What are you thinking about?¡±


    Emily blushed.


    ¡°Why will you say that?¡±


    ¡°You love him, don¡¯t you?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Hell no. I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I see it in your eyes.¡±


    ¡°Common. Stop. By the way, where are you going again? You¡¯ve been out all day.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s simply because I am on a vacation. I have to go out, sight see and have fun. Unlike you, what do you do indoors all day?¡±


    ¡°I have another design that I¡¯m working on. It¡¯s going to be extremely superb.¡±


    ¡°Is it booked or for a client?¡±


    ¡°I want to join apetition.¡±


    ¡°Wow! You will surely win. Well, I have no time for designs. I am going out this evening with Liam and Noah. Wanna join?¡±


    ¡°No. You guys go alone. I have this design to finish. Moreover, he didn¡¯t invite me.¡±


    ¡°He knows your answer will be no. He asked me to see if you woulde and you still declined.¡±


    Emily didn¡¯t want to be in the same space with Noah. The thought of his passionate kiss hasn¡¯t left her mind. It brought a smile to her face each time she remembered how gentle he was. Just like her first night with him, he was still romantic. When he held her in the car that day, she felt her nipples harden and she was aroused. It¡¯s been years since she felt a man¡¯s touch and she realized she yearned for it. Another awkward moment with Noah was a no for her. She was only waiting for the holiday to be over. There were only a few days left and she wouldn¡¯t see him again. There was no need to let her new and blossoming feelings take the greater part of her.


    They entered the car with smiles on their faces. There was never a dull moment with Noah.


    It was a highway and the driver was on top speed. Suddenly and without warning, a car sped towards them and with a loud and dangerous bang, it crashed into their car.

 Chapter 99

    The car crashed into them from the left and Liam was sitting by that left door. The car somersaulted twice and ran into a pole. Both drivers were at high speed when the ident urred. The upant of the other car was just one person and it was the driver of the car. The driver died on the spot. It was a different story in Noah¡¯s car. His driver was badly injured. Gu Yanxi too was injured and she was bleeding but Liam was unscratched. Noah covered Liam with his body and sustained serious injuries. Noah was bleeding seriously and his condition was fatal. The chances of his survival were thin.


    The road officials hurried to their rescue. Noah coughed out a mouthful of blood for the second time. Liam held him in fright and wept.


    ¡°Mister Noah¡­¡±


    With thest strength in him, he beckoned to Gu Yanxi.


    ¡°Please, take care of Liam. Tell Emily that he¡¯s my biological son.¡±


    He coughed again and passed out.


    Gu Yanxi took the news in shock. He was Liam¡¯s biological father?


    The ident victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment.


    Emily was notified and she rushed to see them at the hospital.


    Liam, who wasn¡¯t hurt, was crying for his ¡®mister Noah¡¯ and Gu Yanxi. What he didn¡¯t know was that Noah put his life on the line to save him because he was his son and heir.


    Emily sent Liam away to his nanny. Sheforted Gu Yanxi who couldn¡¯t be consoled. Her only brother, whom she was just getting to know,y almost lifeless in the surgery room. The doctors battled to save his life. He gave up his life to save his only son.


    After a long time, there was a ray of hope. The doctors finally seeded. He was alive but he was in aa.


    When Gu Yanxi got a bit stronger, she went with Emily to see him. Tears fell down her face when she saw him in a sorry state. Tubes were fixed into his nose and he was on oxygen. In fact, he looked lifeless.


    Emily too was shocked. Howe he was badly hurt unlike the others?


    ¡°He got hurt saving Liam.¡±


    ¡°Saving Liam? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°The car approached from the left turn and Liam was sitting by the door. He protected your son and sustained these injuries.


    Emily¡¯s heart melted. The love of a mother. He risked his life for her son. She would have been the one crying because there was no way a child of only five years would survive that serious injury.


    She resolved within her to take good care of him.


    ¡°Emily,¡± Gu Yanxi called softly.


    Emily turned to her, too sad to utter a word.


    ¡°He saved your son because he is his father.¡±


    ¡°His father? What father?¡±


    ¡°Noah asked me to tell you that he¡¯s Liam¡¯s biological father.¡±


    ¡°You mean he was the man from five years ago? How did you know? How sure is he that Liam is his son? He was outside when that incident urred. It can¡¯t be him.¡±


    The doctor entered at that time.


    ¡°Will he be alright, doctor?¡± Gu Yanxi asked nervously.


    ¡°We just need to hope. The ident was fatal. He only got to this point luckily.¡±


    The road officials checked the cameras. It happened that the other car failed brakes and ran into President Noah¡¯s car. It urred at a T-junction. It wasn¡¯t a nned ident. It was simply an unexpected event.


    Joshua Harper learnt of the incident and he rushed to the hospital. He employed more nurses to take good care of his son and urged the doctors and nurses in the hospital to do their best.


    Emily and Gu Yanxi weren¡¯t left out. They took it upon themselves to look after him in the hospital. Liam asked after Mister Noah everyday.


    ¡°Mummy, he put his life on the line to save me. He covered me and nothing happened to me. Will he be alive?¡±


    Emily kept assuring him that Noah was fine. She didn¡¯t want to break his tender heart by telling him that the man in question was in aa.


    She took care of Gu Yanxi and Noah while they were in the hospital. Three dayster,  Gu Yanxi recovered fully and they looked after Noah together.


    The holiday was over now but Emily couldn¡¯t go back. Liam also refused to return without seeing Noah in good and sound health.


    On the sixth day, Emily was alone in the hospital room when his hands moved. His eye lids trembled and he finally opened his eyes. She ran off and called the doctor.


    ¡°President Noah? I¡¯m so happy that you have woken up.¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Huh? Who are you?¡±


    Emily was amazed. Did he just ask who she was?


    ¡°It¡¯s me. Emily.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know you. You should leave¡±


    Emily left in worry and notified the doctors. They ran a check and unfortunately, he had lost his memory. He didn¡¯t recognize anyone!


    Gu Yanxi came to see himter in the day. She was very d that her brother was saved from the cold hands of death. It was still the same story. He didn¡¯t recognize her. He had recovered, but he had amnesia. He only remembered from a certain period of time and Gu Yanxi and Emily weren¡¯t part of his life at the time.


    Only the nurses and his dad looked after him. He didn¡¯t want to see anyone he didn¡¯t know. Emily and Gu Yanxi wept but stayed by his side regardless.


    A week went past in a sh yet there was no improvement. ording to the doctors, his amnesia would linger for a long time. Part of his brain was damaged from the ident.


    Somehow, the news of his ident came to the hearing of Grace Shields. She was devastated. She made necessary arrangements and travelled to see him. Mr Joshua recognized her and hurriedly granted her ess to his room. He informed her about his illness and he hoped she would help him regain his memory.  When she heard of his amnesia, she knew he would soon be hers. She concealed a smile and opened the door.

 Chapter 100

    Noah recognised her immediately. He was very happy to see her. They got along again, just like in the past years. Gradually, Emily, Gu Yanxi and Liam were erased from his life. While trying to help him regain his memory, she made sure not to involve them. She was back and he was going to be hers as soon as he recovered. Grace didn¡¯t let Emily or Gu Yanxi see him.


    Emily saw that there wasn¡¯t any need to stay around. She loved Noah but she had to get rid of her feelings. He didn¡¯t remember her anymore. She was skeptical about his being Liam¡¯s father. Everything pointed at its negativity. She was however very grateful that he saved her son.


    Liam was reluctant to leave without seeing Noah. Emily told him that Noah asked him to return to school. She further added that Noah promised toe and see them when he recovers fully.


    Gu Yanxi didn¡¯t go back with them. Her leave period wasn¡¯t over yet and she didn¡¯t want to leave her brother¡¯s side despite his inability to recognize her. Gu Yanxi stayed by Mr Joshua¡¯s side and with time, he started to ept her. He finally decided on DNA and the result came out that she was his daughter. He was appalled. He gave her his word that he would make up for all the years she spent outside his home. This finding made him realize that his wife hadn¡¯t cheated on him. He let go of the resentment he had for her in his heart. He was sorry he used her when she was no more. Since she was his daughter, he didn¡¯t let her go back to China. He kept her by his side and studied her behaviour closely. When he found her trustworthy, he took her to thepany and taught her a few things. He handed thepany over to her for the  meantime. He supervised everything she did and set her straight.


    Jessy wasn¡¯t happy when he found out her new identity. There was no way her father and brother would bless their union. All the same, they continued dating each other.


    SIX MONTHS LATER


    Emily, who won thepetition some months ago, has be even more famous in China. She was sought after and was well paid. She was now extremely wealthy. She thought about Noah often and wasn¡¯t happy that he had left her life for good. He left when he stirred up her emotions and when she started having interest in him.


    Her life went on like there was never a time Noah appeared. Liam moved on as well but it was still in his mind that Noah promised toe. He waited patiently for that fateful day.


    Noah on his own part had recovered and had been discharged from the hospital. Grace Shields was still with him and they were happy together. He was however still unfit to take over thepany so Gu Yanxi still continued.


    Grace took him to ces he used to go and it helped in his recovery. Still, she kept Gu Yanxi and Emily out of the picture.


    One morning, Noah quit ying the piano and requested drawing sheets from the servant. The image was faint in his mind but he tried to make a drawing of Emily.


    Grace, who had been by his side for six months tried her best to stop him. She had gotten him now and there was no way she would leave him again. This went on for some weeks and he didn¡¯t give up. He decided to go to his office one day. His father notified Gu Yanxi and asked her to show him around to help me remember more.


    His office was still clean as Gu Yanxi made sure it was cleaned often.


    He stepped out of the elevator and Gu Yanxi came to help him. He looked at her closely.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen you before, haven¡¯t I?¡±Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Gu Yanxi was surprised. He walked off before she could say anything and opened the door to his office with his fingerprints. He looked around the office and his eyes rested on his picture with Liam.


    ¡°This¡­ I¡­¡±


    He felt his head spin and he staggered. Gu Yanxi caught him in time and he didn¡¯t fall. He felt weak because he had stressed his brain trying to recall. By the following day, his brain was getting better and he started recalling things gradually. Gu Yanxi brought him tea in the morning.


    ¡°Yanxi? Is that you?¡±


    ¡°Oh my goodness. Yes! It¡¯s me.¡±


    She ran out to look for her dad.


    ¡°Dad, Noah recognized me. He recognized me!¡±


    That day was the end of Grace Shields. Noah thanked her for helping him recover but he didn¡¯t want her by his side.


    He was recuperating very fast. He inquired about Emily and his son. His sister told him what happened. He wanted to travel immediately in search of her but Gu Yanxi restrained him.


    ¡°You have to recover properly, first.¡±


    As was expected, Noah kicked against her rtionship with Jessy. He swore that he wouldn¡¯t let his only sister have anything to do with someone who tried to murder him. Her tears and pleas couldn¡¯t save the situation. She finally left Jessy for good.


    As soon as Noah felt he was strong enough, he travelled to China with Gu Yanxi. Liam was the happiest person on earth that day. A week ago, he had asked his mother when Noah woulde and to avoid telling him what happened, she told him he woulde soon. He couldn¡¯t believe how soon it was.


    Noah apologized to her and let her know of what happened that night, five years ago.


    It was true that he was not in the country. He only returned on a business trip and somehow, he got drunk and found himself in his hotel room with a woman who pleased him so much. He had slid his ring into her finger hoping to recognize her by the ring the following morning but she was nowhere to be found when he woke up. From that day, he searched for her everywhere but never found her.


    Gu Yanxi sat in the garden, in her father¡¯s house, beaming with smiles. She watched the three people ying in the garden; Noah, Emily and Liam.


    She was happy to have Emily by her side. She was not just her friend, but she was her sister inw. Emily whom she took like a sister was now with her forever as her brother¡¯s legal wife.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!