Zara read the email again and again. This was the last thing she expected to see in her inbox on this cold night. After a time, she laughed, "Oh, Scott! It seems I am not your only enemy."Brown and Co. was founded almost a century ago. Margaret Brown had started it with her now late husband. And when Scott's father became an adult, he took over and built it into what it was today. Actually, the Brown and Co. of fifteen years ago was much more stable than the one of today.Scott was finding it hard to fill his father's shoes though he never liked to admit it. His grandmother didn't blame him, considering the fact that there was no one to teach him the ropes of running the company. She had done her bit. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.Thinking of how Scott always stayed up late to work and attended several business functions, Zara couldn't help feeling pity for him. She knew more than anyone else how much the company meant to him.Just as she padded to her bed to sleep, her phone rang

This statement brought color to Zara's cheeks. Not because she was pleased, but because she was trying so hard not to look flustered. Her heart was pounding as Margaret stared at her, waiting for an answer.Although Zara was sorely tempted to say that her grandmother didn't want any visitors, she knew that it would hurt Margaret's feelings. She also shuddered at the thought of telling the truth. After a minute of burying her face in the menu, she finally responded, "When I left home, my grandmother was feeling a little under the weather. She wants to rest for the rest of the day. If you like, I could set up a lunch date for both of you in a restaurant of your choice. Maybe this restaurant. They have good meals on the menu.""Oh, is that so?" Margaret's eyes slanted. "But why can't I just follow you home? It wouldn't hurt her for me to be with her today. We used to have tea in your family's luscious garden. Besides, I miss that place. I'd love to accompany you home and spend the weeken

"Your parents were killed, Zara Hall. They didn't just die by accident. They were killed!"Zara's jaw slacked when she heard the strange voice from the other end of the line. She couldn't believe her ears. "What did you say?""You heard me right. The accident that took your parents' life wasn't just an accident. Someone orchestrated it!"Hearing this, Zara's legs turned to jelly. She staggered back until her back hit the wall. Her head became fuzzy and tears made her eyes sting. "Who are you? How do you know my parents?"Scott, who had been staring at her with his eyebrows raised, moved closer in worry. He mouthed, "What's wrong, Zara? Who are you speaking with? What are they saying?"Seeing that she was trembling, he got even more worried. He reached out to take the phone from her, but she avoided him and pressed it against her ear.Just then, the menacing voice came through again. "My identity is not important. What's important is that I have the info that you need. You want to know

Zara felt a thump in her chest at the sound of his voice. It was nothing like the clear and domineering snarl he usually used in speaking to her. This time, it was low and pitiful. Somehow, it reminded her of the night of passion they shared just before their divorce was finalized."I need you..." he muttered again. His grip got a little tighter. Zara felt his sweaty palm against her cold wrist. It gave her goosebumps in the twinkling of an eye.She stood frozen for another minute. Soon, Scott stirred on the bed. She saw his eyelids peel open slowly. Her breathing seized when her gaze met his. His moss-colored eyes were warm. All the hatred Zara harbored for him seemed to take second place now. He was like a helpless child in her eyes at this moment.Slowly, she turned her body by ninety degrees. She held his wrist and made him let go of hers. "Okay, I'll stay. Just go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up.""Promise?"After a sigh, she crossed her heart and replied, "Yes, prom

Cora felt her knees buckle. Her head suddenly felt full. She broke out in cold sweat as her mouth went dry. What was Scott talking about? What did he know? Did he know she had been deceiving him all along? No, it can't be. He still dotes on Tommy. He wouldn't if he already knew the truth, right?Blinking in a bid to maintain her composure, Cora stammered, "I... I don't know what you are talking about."Yes, you do!" Scott snarled. "Quit pretending, will you? For once, own up to your shit!"She burst into tears. "Why are you yelling at me? I really don't know what you are talking about. I don't know what lies Zara or anyone told you, but it's not true!""No one told me shit! Stop bringing Zara into this, will you? You were so mean to her just now. How can you still act like a saint?"Cora screamed, "Why are you always defending her against me! Rumor has it that she has been sleeping with different men. All the companies she acquired in the last few years were done crookedly. I even hea