As Ben settles the chilled glass of water on the table, he turns to Gallian, who has just returned from the hospital after admitting Marquis. Twirling the straw, the clinking of ice echoes in the room. "What did the doctor say?""He's okay. The injury wasn't severe. Marquis shielded the strike with his hand, so that took a deeper cut, but it'll mend soon," Gallian replies, wondering how Ben knows about it."That's a relief. Hopefully, Oryx won't lose her composure over this," Ben remarks, taking a seat while noticing Gallian's troubled demeanor. "Is something else bothering you?"With a frustrated sigh, Gallian gulps down the cold water. "She's utterly fixated on him. He's shown no interest in her, doesn't want her, yet... I can't fathom why she persists. She seems content despite not having him!""Here, try some beer," Ben offers, sliding another glass toward him while reaching for a napkin to tidy up the table."Why is she so unperturbed witnessing him with another woman? He even pu
In the stillness of the night, Marquis's voice breaks through the quiet room as his assistant settles the laptop before him."Any updates on the assailant?" Marquis inquires, his eyes fixed on the screen, awaiting crucial information."Yes. It's a beggar residing near the Carton Bridge slum. The police have detained him. He claims he was offered ten thousand dollars to attack you," the assistant relays the latest developments."And who's behind this?" Marquis questions,a tinge of frustration lingering in his voice at the anonymity of the Mastermind."He insists he doesn't know. The cash was found in a box featuring your image next to his tent," the assistant continues, observing Marquis's contemplative expression.Marquis hums softly, thoughts swirling as he acknowledges the array of adversaries amassed during his rise as a prominent businessman. The exploitation of a vulnerable beggar troubles him deeply, considering it a cowardly move by whoever is responsible."Refrain from pressu
"They are Heading home," Mr. Turner announces upon entering the study where Mrs. Turner, engrossed in a medical tome, glances up without surprise at her husband's arrival."Why do they bother returning? Merely to meddle in our lives?" she queries, shutting her book and calmly observing her husband's descent into his chair."It's possible. Perhaps they've heard of Oryx's marriage!""Tsk. They'll likely put on a show of being model grandparents. Their words and actions hold weight, while our opinions are mere echoes," Mrs. Turner scoffs."Please, don't be upset. After four years, it's good that they're returning, healthy and well," he implores, sensing his wife's disdain toward her own parents, the Woodson family—a name unwelcome on her roster of acquaintances."But what if they inquire about Oryx's marriage? We're not in a position to present it as flawless before them!" Mr. Turner frets, considering the looming dilemma."Appear in front of them? Oryx despises them more than she does u
The next morning, as the iPad sits on the table, his assistant settles onto the couch. Marquis's sharp gaze focuses on the information displayed. "She fabricated her family background. Quite audacious," he remarks."That's why I believe our team should take charge. She's adept at deceiving us. It seems someone well-acquainted with us is manipulating this situation," the assistant suggests."No, I disagree. Whoever's orchestrating this isn't familiar with us. If they were, they wouldn't have directly sent her to me. My hunch is they're trailing me but are inexperienced," Marquis's hand reaches his chin to rub, thinking something profound as the situation isn't as simple as it looks. Someone is playing a dirty game here."Dispatch our team to the family she concealed from us. Nothing extreme, but ensure we gather crucial information at any cost. She must be held accountable for harming my daughter," Marquis instructs firmly."Understood, Boss. Also, while searching through old files,
"Did you even consider the burden she's carrying, handling you all by herself? And you're just allowing her to bear it all? Are you out of your mind? Can't you see her struggling to keep everything from falling apart?"Mrs. Williamson snaps at her son, her voice laces with frustration, as she talks over the phone upon learning about her son being attacked."Mom!" Marquis sighs helplessly."You don't even acknowledge her as your wife. Why are you so self-absorbed? Juggling your daughter, dealing with your issues, and managing this exhausting marriage—do you think she's a machine? Stop making her life unbearable with your problems when you can't even appreciate her. She wasn't born to be enslaved by your expectations!""I think I admire her, Mom!"Mrs. Williamson, unable to contain the truth about Oryx's life, paused, trying to process what her son just admitted."What did you say?" Mrs. Williamson rises abruptly, demanding clarification."I believe I've found that resilient woman I alw
When the heart becomes overwhelmed by the weight of enduring every pain, it grows weary of its constant reactions.Witnessing Maria's desperate gaze, laden with expectations, Oryx's heart constricts, yet she refrains from succumbing to tears.Although her longing to embrace the child and let her emotions flow is powerful, Oryx refrains, not wanting to further burden Maria."Someone will cherish you, Maria! Perhaps it's not me, but someone will," she reassures softly, planting a gentle kiss on Maria's forehead before departing. Despite the child's loud sobs, Oryx's shattered heart resists forming any attachment.As Maria cries out, "Mommy, don't leave!" and rushes towards Oryx, fear of abandonment propelling her, their eyes lock just as Oryx steps into the elevator.Maria fixates on her mother's lips mouthing, "I'm sorry!"Oryx clenches her hem, her gaze shifting to Marquis sprinting towards the elevator, clutching his stomach.She completely decides to ignore both of them. Marquis wal
"Your inability to keep your daughter in check, letting her run off with another man right in front of us—this is the result of your parenting? Pathetic!"Mrs. Woodson's eyes bore into her daughter, Mrs. Turner, as she clenches her fists, doubting her daughter's claims of controlling her children. After returning home and learning the truth about Oryx's husband getting admitted into the hospital, The Woodson couple didn't waste another second to come here and investigate. But, by unfortunate coincidence, they witnessed Oryx getting in a car with another Man. "Mother, I don't believe--""Silence! How dare you defy your mother! Gwen, we raised you better than this failure!" Mr. Woodson's disappointment is palpable, echoing his frustration at their daughter's inability to manage her own child."Please, let's remain composed. Oryx's husband clarified that it was a misunderstanding, and the man she left with was simply a friend. If he's not concerned, we shouldn't pry into their affairs!
"Boss, I've identified him."Marquis shifts his attention to his assistant while skillfully tying Maria's hair when his assistant allows himself in the room with quiet steps. Since Oryx's leaving with Gallian, Marquis has devoted himself to caring for Maria, prioritizing her well-being over diving into the chaos of work and in pursuit of Oryx."I'll be right back, Maria. Play with your doll for a bit," Marquis tells her before focusing on his assistant's update."Who is he? He seems well aware of our objectives," Marquis asks with a firm tone."His name is Gallian, but surprisingly, his surname is a fabrication.""What do you mean? Who is he really?" he questions opening the study room's door."He's Graham Williamson, your cousin, the son of your father's step-sister." his assistant details."That's impossible. My father doesn't have a sister!""He does." Placing the photo of an old lady, his assistant settles on the couch. "This is Sarah Williamson, your grandpa's mistress and was se