As the only daughter, Stephanie was spoiled ever since she was born. She took everything for granted, and she used all their father’s money just so she could buy all the latest trends and clothes. No one ever batted an eye, and Stephanie liked getting everything.
She became a materialistic woman. Whatever her parents lacked- be it sincere compassion, love, or attention, they made it up through money. Stephanie’s brothers too spoiled her, mostly because they were not at home.
Both Pedro and Pete were rarely at home, and they did not like being there- it was not exactly home for them. Both their parents looked at them nonchalantly and treated them like possessions or some sort of living investment.
So, in their guilt, they spoiled Stephanie by giving her what she wanted but never what she truly needed.
With their absence, Stephanie shouldered it all. As perfect, composed, and spoiled as she looked on the outside, Stephanie endu
“I thought I was here just because you feared what Stephanie might do?” Alexander raised an eyebrow, “Why didn’t you tell any of these things before?”Pedro locked the doors as he suspiciously and cautiously looked around. He said in a soft and low voice, “Because we’re dealing with the most powerful family here. I couldn’t have anyone acting too rashly or recklessly. I need you to stall Maya as long as you could and make sure no one would notice what I’m scheming.”“Just who exactly is Maya’s real family?”Pedro took a deep breath, “Maya’s mother was the late Kate Simons- the only legitimate daughter of the old Duke who owns Greenwillow brand – the top tier brand in our society. Simons are the elites of the elites.”“Then that would make Maya the sole heir of it all.”“Exactly, and Mrs. Karin Simons obviously don’t
“Well, this practically happened because of what you said earlier, Alexander.” Pedro reasoned out, “Sam really likes Sally, so this is on you.”“Hey, how is that my fault? He was the one who said that.”“You’re not my price, Sally, and this is no game to me.” Ryan said to Sally, “How naïve can you be, or are you just pretending not to know?”“You want me to trust you?”“Yes,” Sally replied confidently.“Okay.” Sally continued, “Tell me, as you arrived here in Russia after you met me, did you do it with some other girls? Last night where were you? This morning? Aren’t you with someone else? Some other prices to add to your collection of girls. Wait, you don’t have to answer. The hickey on your necks says everything.”Sally walked away after she said, “Next time if you’re going to end
Ryan said, “I know, but if you can’t trust them, at least trust me. That’s the whole reason why Pedro told me about it. He knew you wouldn’t trust him nor Alexander, but everything- and I mean everything that Pedro does and will do according to his plan is for Maya. To protect her is the goal.”“Protect? Is she in some sort of trouble? Is it Stephanie? Has she been threatening her?” Sally worriedly asked, acting as the mother of the group, “Is Maya okay?”“Maya is okay for now, but there’s someone even more powerful and a bigger threat to her right now compared to Stephanie,” Ryan said as little as possible because he knew Sally was quick to pick up. He knew Sally would immediately catch on with enough hints.Pedro specifically told Ryan not to get Oli and Sally involved, especially Sally, since she was the princess hiding from everyone. Mrs. Simons’ words would be enough to d
Stephanie never wanted to hate her as much as she does, but she can’t look at Maya without getting envious and insecure about having the things she wanted the most. She hated how easy it was for Maya to get Alexander’s love and Pedro’s attention- something that Stephanie had to work hard for, something she had to be perfect to deserve.Stephanie could not help but feel as if Maya was taking everything from her because she was.The loud music played in her room, masking her tantrums and all. She’s had a few drinks or so, which made things far worse. Stephanie had thought about barging to where Maya as―if she knew where, and just make a mess. She wanted Maya to feel at least half of what she does.It was too painful and too much even for Stephanie. She wanted to run to someone to save her from all that she was feeling, but where did she run to? Who does she run to when she has no one?Alexander was the only one who ever saw her. He w
Stephanie then went to fix her face and her hair as she tried on the dresses. She then looked at the files again to try and figure out more about Maya’s parents, but she was on a dead end. The only evidence she had was Maya’s mother- Kate’s picture.Stephanie looked at it closely, and then she noticed something she did not notice before. She saw a familiar silhouette in the background. The face was not very clear, but Stephanie knew it looked too similar to be a coincidence.It was Mrs. Simons in the background, and she was flaunting that unusual emerald, green collection Greenwillow bag―the collection that was discontinued. Stephanie squinted her eyes to see more clearly than it hit her.Everything made sense suddenly.That bag was the same bag caught in the video from the orphanage, and if it was discontinued, the only person who could have it in possession was none other than the owner of Greenwillow. Mrs. Karin Simons owned Greenwill
Meanwhile, Oli, Ryan, and Sally arrived at the party. Sally looked prim and proper with her blush pink ball gown and beaded white mask. Her hair was up neatly in a bun like a princess.Oli, on the other hand, went to have an edgier vibe. Oli wore a classic black and red combination with the flares and all that made for dancing, it looked quite revealing too, and her mask was ruby red. Her arms linked with Ryan’s, who was dressed neatly in his white polo with rolled-up sleeves and black fitted vest along with a black mask with its sharp corners.Oli was in awe as she saw the venue, “Woah, this is definitely one heck of a party.”“Oli, language.” Ryan reminded, “Try not to get kicked out as soon as we arrive. Let’s go find Maya first.”Sally nodded, “Let’s split up. You and Oli could look at the left-wing side of the venue, and I’d go look at the right-wing side.”They all nodded
Pedro, worried and was feeling uneasy, got up and searched for Maya as well. Pedro said to one of his people, “You do the speech, and I’ll go find someone.”“But Sir, it’s your party. You can’t just dash-““I don’t care.” Pedro said in a heartbeat, “I’ll find Maya. You deal with this. I don’t want what nonsense you have to say. Just say it on stage.”Pedro once again dropped everything on the line for Maya. He wasn’t the type to not follow his plans or word, and yet there he was, rushing around the venue to go look for Maya. The music stopped as Pedro’s secretary did the speech, and soon, the music continued into a slow song.With that, he saw her.Pedro saw Maya from across the room. Maya looked so pretty in her navy-blue ball gown that had elegant white ruffles at the side and gold embroidered details. She wore her brown hair down effortlessly and even
“You help me cover up Maya’s real identity. With that, I’ll make sure Maya would never get Alexander. They could play around and meet like this, but they would never get married.” Mrs. Simons grinned devilishly, “If you help me, I will make sure you win in the end.”“Alexander… will be mine?”Mrs. Simons nodded and Stephanie, who felt so lost and in pain at the moment, agreed to help Mrs. Simons without hesitation. Stephanie thought it made sense. If Maya discovers the truth, it would be a happy ending for her, and Alexander- Maya would be better than Stephanie in every way. She would be richer, more famous, and a better match now for Alexander.She knew she could not let that happen.Like her father always told her, she must always be perfect, and she was not allowed to lose. Stephanie glanced at Maya and Alexander as she said to Mrs. Simons, “I want Maya out of Russia after the party.