Ch. 321..330

Chapter 321

Chapter 321

Ouch... that hurts. But yeah, I'm under a dry law.

Poor you.

My old man's on medication because he caught a cold recently, so all the alcohol's been hidden away for his health.

1 see. I hope your old man gets better soon."

Yeah, he'll be fine in a few days. You know he's tough as nails, hahaha, Brandon said, taking a sip of his

water.

So why did Laura kidnap my daughter?

Well, I have something important to tell you, too.

I'm listening.

I want to raise the agreed price.

What? Jayden looked at him in surprise before slightly furrowing his brow. "Oh no... now that's just taking advantage, Brandon. I already agreed to renovate your entire kitchen with all the modern appliances and gadgets Laura wants, including that new special oven with a lock... which is already quite a sum and seems fair to me."

Yes, but let's say something very interesting happened a little while ago that you'd probably want to know about, and it comes with a price tag.

Really? What happened?

To tell you, you have to promise that, besides the kitchen, you'll build a luxury play area for Joshua in the yard, and we've got a deal.

_ Jayden frowned at his friend but then let out a sigh. "Fine, but'it'll be made with recycled materials."

Hey! Now you're the one cheating. What do you mean, recycled?

Okay, let me show you, he said with a chuckle, taking out his phone to show pictures of his kids' play area. "They're made from leftover materials from other projects. That's why I say they're recycled."

Oh well... if you hadn't told me they were leftovers, I wouldn't have noticed, Brandon commented, looking at the play area.

Yeah... it's one of the ideas I came up with when I saw all the extra stuff we had left after building an outdoor bar for a client on the beach.

Got it. In that case, I'll accept recycled materials, Brandon said, extending his hand, which his friend

shook.

Okay, so now... tell me why I'm agreeing to do two projects?

Because I'm going to tell you that in three days, you're going to help me kidnap your mom,

What... Jayden now stared at Brandon in shock, although his surprise quickly turned to anger. "Who

asked you to kidnap her?" he demanded, slamming his fist on the table.

Who do you think? Brandon asked with a mocking tone.

Wait... that guy approached you?

Yep, though I'm investigating who gave him my address, Brandon said, frowning slightly. "But the point is, he asked me to kidnap your lovely mom... which means he either wants to talk to her or invite her to do some bedroom activities." "No! Brandon, that's gross," Jayden complained, covering his ears and making faces of disgust.

Pfft... hahaha, come on, it's not my fault you let your imagination run wild.

No... ugh... now I'll have nightmares because of you.

You're welcome, Brandon said, amused.

You're a bastard... I came here to ask you to investigate something, not to traumatize me.

That's just I offer, he joked. "But anyway, tell me, what do you want me to investigate?"

an extra c

I want you to investigate that jerk. If there are rumors about his company being sued for problems due to the poor quality of their materials, I want to know why nobody has found out about it. And I want to contact those people who were silenced to convince them not to take bribes and to file a public lawsuit so no one else is fooled by the false promise that cheap materials are better for construction.

Ha... it seems Laura guessed right. She said you might ask about that.

Yeah, that was my plan... but if you're telling me that jerk wants to kidnap my mom... I think I'll need to change that request.

I can imagine.

Hey, do you know why he wants to do this?

I think that guy is obsessed with your mom.

Jayden looked him in the eye, grimacing. "One hundred percent sure?"

Yep, because it turns out that your mom, when she was younger, well... he said, handing over a folder with some old photos. "She was quite the knockout and had a lot of suitors. Like I told Deborah, they were dating, but they broke up after a fight, and then your mom met your old man... and the rest your probably know by heart," he said with a grin. "But you could ask your mom about her history with that guy."

I think I will, though I'm not thrilled about asking her those kinds of things.

"Well, my suggestion is that, besides the investigation into the lawsuits, we can make the most out of this kidnapping plan.

How would that help me?"""

Well, first of all, it wouldn't be a real kidnapping. We'd ask your mom if she'd be willing to go along with it so she could talk to him directly and ask him why he's been doing all this.

But you'll have your men protecting her, right?

Of course. And to put your mind at ease, I'll let you know if this actually goes ahead.

1 assume you asked for a hefty sum for the job."

"Obviously, because your mom isn't just anyone

Well, if that's the case. I'll agree to help you."""

"Anyway, I'll message you if the kidnapping mission is still on

Thanks, man."""

No problem. And if it happens, I'll explain the plan we'll follow to ensure her safety, he said as they got up to go check on the kids since the smell of cookies was getting stronger. "Okay. That said, I hope you won't charge me for the cookies."

Don't worry, dessert is included in the price I quoted, Brandon said, making his friend laugh.

Chapter 322

Chapter 322

Extra 22: Reunion with the Past

That night, when Jayden got home, he waited until the kids were asleep before talking to his parents about everything he had discovered that day.

They're asleep now, Deborah mentioned. She had just put the twins to bed since they had just fallen asleep.

Coffee? Jayden offered, handing her a cup.

Thanks, she said, taking the drink.

Haha, they took a while to fall asleep today, Samantha commented.

Yeah, Tatiana and Danielle let them nap a lot in the afternoon since we were all busy with paperwork.

Haha, the busy months are starting, Jayden said, knowing that after eight years of marriage, they were both familiar with each other's business routines.

Yes, but this time it didn't feel as overwhelming because Tatiana's son has been a great help. You know, I'm thinking of offering him a permanent contract with the company once he graduates. "Aw... you sound just like us when we used to try to recruit those talented young interns who joined the company," Samantha said.

Yeah, he's really talented in accounting, and he adapted quickly to the company's pace.

Haha, I'm sure he was inspired by seeing how well his mom handles the job, Eric said.

Yes, that's why I've crunched the numbers and decided to give him a symbolic salary as a thank-you for his hard work. Of course, I'll also give him a strong recommendation letter for his community service. "That sounds good to me," Jayden said.

Deborah let out a yawn. "Alright, now... honey, tell me, how did it go with Brandon?"

He accepted my request, and he's going to give me the names of all those people who filed complaints. and were silenced so that we can talk to them and convince them to speak out publicly. But... he began, making a face. ""What's wrong?" Samantha asked.

Did he ask for more money? Eric questioned, frowning.

He asked me for an extra job, but...

Did he tell you anything else? Deborah asked, noticing him nod.

He told me something important and a bit worrying, Jayden said, letting out a sigh. "It seems that jerk went to see him and asked him to kidnap Mom."

What... They were left in shock upon hearing this.

In fact, Deborah was so scared by that revelation that she couldn't sleep.

If he tries, I'll kill him, Eric declared, clenching his fists.

Honey, calm down... don't get worked up, Samantha urged, taking his hands.

How can you expect me to stay calm? This guy asked someone very dangerous to kidnap you, and... he started to say, suddenly struggling to breathe, which alarmed everyone around him. "Honey..."

Father...

Dad, please calm down and breathe, they all said as they rushed to him, trying to help regulate his breathing as he was very agitated.

Dad, Brandon is my friend, and he would never do anything to harm Mom, so please calm down. "But... ah... that boy..."

Calm down and breathe, honey. Jayden is right. Despite his line of work, Brandon is a good and fair person.

Sir... At that moment, a servant hurried in, offering a cup of hot tea to help relax the elder. "Thank you," Eric said, taking the cup and letting the flavor of the drink ease his worries. "Ah..."

Feeling better? Deborah asked, with her phone in hand, ready to call an ambulance if necessary.

Yes... thank you, he replied, placing the empty cup on the bedside table. "So...?" he asked, looking his son in the eye.

Brandon told me about that man's plans because he thought we could use this kidnapping thing to our advantage.

"Jayden... you're going to let them kidnap your mother?

Yes. Um... well, if Mom agrees. And before you get upset again, Dad,"" he said, seeing his father's expression, ""if this happens, Brandon assured me he'll have his best men with her to make sure nothing bad happens."""

1 get that... but why does she have to be kidnapped? Can't they meet like normal people?"

Well, that's actually what I wanted to ask Mom.

What do you mean? Samantha asked.

Mom, this guy seems to be obsessed with you, and I'd like to know... um... What happened between you two? I mean, did you leave anything unresolved in your relationship that would explain why he seems so obsessed with hurting us now and wanting to kidnap you? "Well..." she said, becoming pensive, trying to analyze or recall.

*Honey?"

Well, not that I remember. Back then, I did imagine myself becoming Mrs. Gates since things were serious for a while, but we had a fight, and he left town she said, frowning. Like with any breakup. I

 

Chapter 323

Chapter 323

Let me think... Samantha said, frowning. "If I remember correctly, we broke up because of his mother. He was raised by a single mom, and she manipulated him a lot. She didn't like me either, as she saw me as a gold-digging bitch only after their family's money. "What? Was that woman stupid or what?" Eric said, surprised, never imagining that someone would call his wife that.

Why do you say that, Dad? Jayden asked.

Well, your mom couldn't have been a gold digger because your grandparents had plenty of money. In fact, I borrowed some of it to grow the business and turn it into the powerhouse it is today. "Really?" Jayden said, astonished.

Haha, yes, son. Actually, you were very little, but many times my parents took you in because they said they had more free time to look after you than Jayden's parents, who were with us at the company. "Oh... that's why I have more baby photos with them."

Hm... My in-laws were great people in many ways. Naturally, when I started making profits, I paid them back with some interest. We even built them a new house with all the amenities as a thank-you for believing in my project. "Haha, I guess gifting a nice house is a family tradition, Deborah said, smiling as she saw everyo nodding.

Bal

But back to the topic, his mother was very particular and thought of herself shot just because she inherited a lot of money from her late husband. And since I was the daughter of humble real estate agents, in her eyes, I was only with her son for the money, which was a disgrace to their family. So, she didn't stop until she convinced her son that I wasn't the right one for him, which is why he broke up with me two weeks before we got engaged.

You were going to marry him? Jayden asked.

Hm... yes. That's why he left town-to avoid feeling regret and looking for me again, she said with a sigh. "My parents supported me when that happened because I was very hurt. Even my mother advised me to move on and not look for him because he didn't deserve me. She was right; soon after, my real prince charming showed up," she said, interlocking her fingers with her husband's.

Then maybe that's the problem, Deborah suggested. "Technically, it's not that he wanted to leave you, he was forced to, which is why he hasn't been able to get over you."

Maybe, dear... but honestly, that sounds so crazy. This happened about 30 years ago... By now, he should have moved on and found happiness elsewhere.

It does sound weird and pathetic. He should have found a woman his mother approved of and started his own family. Eric stated.

"Besides, I don't know what he's after. I have a beautiful family, and I'm very happy and in love with my big guy. Samantha said, kissing his cheek.

You know, Sam, I never asked because I noticed you didn't like talking about your exes, so I never"

questioned you. But now that I know all this, I can only thank Gabriel for being a complete idiot and leaving you, because that's how I got to steal you." "Aww..."

Ahem... Jayden cleared his throat to stop his parents, who seemed to be slipping into a romantic

Haha, son.

It's the same thing you do with Deborah, Eric said, frowning.

Remember, you're not alone, and it's not the same, Jayden complained, looking away.

So... Deborah began, "the conclusion we can draw is that Gabriel came after the company because he wants to win back his old love." "He'll have to get through me to steal my beloved."

"Eric...

I mean it, Sam,"" Eric said, taking her hands. ""I will defend you with everything I have. You're not some object to be reclaimed."""

I'm with you, Dad. We'll both protect Mom.

So when are they going to kidnap her? Eric asked.

Well, that depends on whether that guy manages to pay for the job.

I hope he doesn't get the money...

Eric, calm down. And you know, even if he doesn't manage to pay for the kidnapping, I think I should go talk to him.

No, said both father and son.

Actually, she's right, Deborah said.

Don't say that, Deborah. I don't want my mom going near that man.

But I think this is the fastest way to resolve all this. He tried to hurt James emotionally, and I don't want his next move to be against my granddaughter or the babies, Samantha said, frowning, "But..."

Jayden, call that boy and tell him I agree to the kidnapping, or arrange for a place for me to meet Gabriel so we can put an end to all this once and for all.

Chapter 324

Chapter 324

 

At that moment, Gabriel was doing the math and moving money around his accounts to get the amount. that man had demanded to bring him his beloved.

He then looked up and saw the old photo on his desk that showed his mother and him as a young man.

God... see? I told you, you were wrong. Samantha was never interested in my inheritance... She loved me sincerely because her parents weren't as poor as you thought. In fact, they helped that idiot grow his fortune.

He really loved and hated his mother for everything she did.

He loved her because she supported him, cared for him, pampered him... she gave him all the love a mother could offer her son. But... At the same time, he hated her because she ruined his life.

It was her fault that he lost the love of his life simply because she didn't accept her as a daughter-in-law. Even though he begged and told her that Samantha wasn't like that, that damn woman managed blackmail him with her maternal love, claiming she knew what was best for him.

Sadly, it was only in her final days that his mother admitted she had done wrong and had damaged her son's happiness. She had forced Gabriel to marry the woman she had chosen and approved of... but they divorced a year later. He never fulfilled her dream of becoming a grandmother and seeing her grandchildren grow up... because her son was stuck in the memory of Samantha, who did get over the breakup and sought her own happiness with another man.

Obviously, as soon as he buried his mother, he decided to go find his beloved Samantha, hoping she too had a failed marriage because she missed him and was waiting for him.

Unfortunately, when he got to the city, he saw she was still with that idiot, and even worse, at that moment, they were taking a walk in the park with two babies and two children, which meant she had forgotten him and was already a grandmother. He hated seeing that happiness.

He was supposed to be by her side at those moments... but no, here he was hiding, watching that beautiful woman who had aged with grace from a distance.

Remembering this, Gabriel tried to shake off those thoughts. Soon, everything would change.

Boss... His assistant arrived at his side. "Are you sure about this?"

Spending five million all at once on something so silly!

It's not silly, and yes, that's what I'm going to do.

But what?

It's just that money is a third of what we have left.

What...! Wait... we only have 15 million left? What about the rest of the fortune?

I've already told you, we're spending more than we're earning, and the lawsuits have been draining us financially, he said, showing Gabriel a report of the company's income and expenses.

This must be a joke, Gabriel grumbled, grabbing the papers to read them, noticing that it was true... his fortune was disappearing at an alarming rate.

It's not a joke, boss... I wish it was, but it's not, the assistant said, grimacing. "That's why I told you this was a bad idea. You have no knowledge about construction or the necessary permits for a project."

Damn it... so, what do you recommend I do?

Forget about all this and use the little money we have left to go back to what we know: managing department stores, he said, frowning slightly. "Sir, you've neglected the company for too long, and in the long run, that's bad. You could lose everything." "But I'm so close to getting Samantha back."

That's not true! Boss, just forget about her... you lost her a long time ago, and remember, it happened because YOU ended the relationship.

But I didn't want to; I was forced to.

But at the end of the day, you did it, the assistant said angrily. "So now you have to act like an adult and live with the decisions you've made, taking the good and the bad that comes with them."

Chapter 325

Chapter 325

The older man frowned. "No... what I'm doing will be worth it in a few days when I talk to Samantha,"

Why not just talk to her in person instead of this crazy kidnapping idea?

Women like bad boys.

Those are the tastes of some young women, but let me remind you that Mrs. Samantha is a grown woman and even a grandmother now.

So what?

That means you're an old man too, so you should act your age.

... Gabriel's eye twitched. "You're crossing the line," he said, clenching his fists tightly.

No, I'm just speaking the truth. Instead of doing all this crazy stuff, how about I set up a meeting with Samantha?

You know, have a meeting at a café or restaurant to talk about old times.

That sounds like something an old man would do.

You are an old man; you're 56 years old.

... Gabriel grimaced at his words.

Yes, I think that's the best thing to do, the assistant said, pulling out his phone.

Don't you dare.

I will because I don't want to see you lose your entire fortune over something so stupid that won't bring you any gain, the young man declared, dialing a certain number. "Who are you calling?" Gabriel asked, scared.

The assistant just put the call on speaker so Gabriel could hear the ringing.

Good afternoon, Cooper Enterprises, said a man on the other end of the line.

Hello, good afternoon. May I speak with Mrs. Samantha Cooper?

One moment, please, the man said as the sound of typing could be heard. "Yes, she's available. Who's calling?"

"An old friend. Could you please connect me with her?

Sure, hold on for a moment while I connect you,"" the man said, and some hold music began playing."

Hang up! Gabriel ordered in a panic, trying to snatch the phone away, but his assistant was taller and kept the phone out of his reach.

No, and stop acting like a child.

Hello? Gabriel was about to complain but froze when he heard her voice.

Hello, good afternoon. Am I speaking with Mrs. Samantha Cooper?

Yes. Who am I speaking to?

My name is Jamie, and I'm calling on behalf of my boss, Gabriel Gates.

Ah, nice to meet you, Jamie. What can I do for you?

Well, I'm calling to ask if you're free tonight because my boss would like to invite you to dinner to talk about the past.

Well... I don't think I can make it tonight, but I'm free for lunch.

In that case, would it be alright to meet him at the restaurant Oldgrounds on 50th Street in two hours? "Yes, that "Yes, that sounds fine."

Thank you, Mrs. Samantha. When you arrive, you can look for the reservation under your name.

Haha, alright. Thank you, and tell Gabriel I'll see him soon.

Of course. Goodbye, Mrs. Cooper, and have a nice day, Jamie said, smiling as he ended the call and looked at his boss. "See? This is what you should've done from the start. And... Boss?" He stopped talking when he saw the older man looking shocked. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned, as he hadn't expected that reaction.

.... Gabriel felt butterflies in his stomach because he had a date with her.

Hey boss, don't get lost in your head. Go get ready.

Hello? Focus. Samantha will be waiting for you at the Oldgrounds in two hours.

Oh, right... he said as a big smile spread across his lips. "I have a date with my Sam, and... wow... wait, what should I wear?"

Jamie just rolled his eyes, seeing that his boss was a real case, acting like a teenager at that moment. But he hoped that after this conversation, Gabriel would snap out of it and stop building castles in the air for his own good.

Chapter 326

Chapter 326

Extra 24: A Date?

When Samantha ended the call, she let out a sigh-the conversation reminded her of the past.

Ah... you really haven't changed one bit, she commented, looking at her phone.

Mom. She looked up to see her son walking into her office while reading some papers. "They just sent me the

report with the quotes for the new tiles you want for the collection," he said, handing her the

papers.

That fast? Let me see, she said excitedly, reading through the reports.

They said they could be ready in four days since it's a simple design and they already have the geometric molds. It won't be a challenge for the artisans, he said, noticing the happiness in his mother's eyes.

I know, and the best part is that this style is trending in the interior design world, she said. "If they can make them quickly, it means a great profit for us. We'll also continue offering our basic plain designs: the ones that look like paint splatters and those that imitate wood, marble, or stone."

Well, Mom, you're the expert in this, Jayden said, seeing his mother's excitement. "By the way, it's my turn to pick up James and Elizabeth today. Do you want to join us for lunch? Dad's supervising the apartment construction."

I'd love to, son, but I have a date.

What? A date? With who? he asked, frowning slightly

Well, it looks like that kidnapping won't be necessary after all, she said, standing up and signing the papers before handing them to him. "Here, tell Jimmy to send the production order to the factory so we can stock up. I'm sure a lot of stores will be placing orders." "Oh, right. I'll tell him," Jayden said, taking the papers. "But... um... who's your date with?"

I'm having lunch with Gabriel.

Jayden's eyes widened, but Samantha didn't get the chance to ask or say anything because he quickly left the office.

Huh? Samantha was puzzled by his reaction but didn't have time to think it over, as her son soon returned, now accompanied by his father, both looking slightly upset.

What do you mean you're meeting with that guy? Eric protested, grabbing her hands

Yeah, Brandon, I guess you don't need to go through with it anymore, Jayden said into his phone.

God... hahaha, you two really are the kings of drama, Samantha said, amused.

We sure are! If that guy tried to hurt our grandson, a child... I don't even want to imagine what he'd do to you if you refused him, and I don't-Eric began to say, his worry evident, but Samantha cut him off with a kiss on the lips. "Honey..." Eric said, slightly taken aback. "Someone's been watching too many crime and suspense series," she said, caressing his face.

"But-

 

Eric, nothing bad will happen to me. And Jayden, hang up that call. Don't bother your friend with this."""

But... Both blond men complained, looking worried.

I agreed to have lunch with him to talk about everything he's been doing and put an end to it.

But, my love, we don't even know if he-

Exactly, Mom. What if he tries to hurt you?

Listen, both of you, calm down... she said, holding her son's hand. "I'll be in a public place, and we're just going to talk, okay?"

Both men made a face, still uncertain, as she let go of their hands.

Well, see you tonight, she said, kissing them on the cheek before walking to the door.

Samantha...

Don't worry, my love. Trust me, and I'll see you tonight, she said, leaving the office without looking back.

Eric and Jayden were still worried, so they made some calls for backup as they made up their mind to follow Samantha closely. They were determined to protect her and finally meet this Gabriel, who had been causing so many problems. Jayden decided to call Deborahh to explain the situation and ask her for two favors: to pick up the kids and to lend them Max in case things got rough.

Luckily, Deborah managed to get organized quickly and confirmed that she would pick up the kids. She just asked Jayden to be careful and not do anything crazy

When they arrived at the restaurant, they saw Samantha being dropped off by the driver. They watched her go in and be shown to a specific table.

They parked their car, and upon entering, found Max waiting for them. He offered each of them a wig so Samantha wouldn't recognize them.

The good thing was that the restaurant wasn't very crowded that day, so they managed to find a table without a reservation, one right next to Samantha's. That way, they could keep an eye on her and listen in on the conversation. Meanwhile, Samantha had sat at her table and ordered a drink while waiting for her companion.

Just as the waiter handed her the drink, a man with black hair and green eyes appeared before her.

Samantha, the man greeted her with a big smile.

Gabriel, hi, she said, standing up to give him a hug. "You haven't changed much."

You look stunning, he said, admiring her appearance

Eric was dying of jealousy at that moment, but his son and Max held him back to keep him from getting

Oh, yeah, I brought you this... um... these are still your favorites, right? Gabriel said as he handed her a

bouquet of red roses.

Oh wow, haha, you haven't forgotten. Yes, they're still my favorites, she said, smiling and accepting the flowers. Gabriel smiled and moved to help her take her seat again.

Chapter 327

Chapter 327

Extra 25: Past and Present

You're welcome, Sam... he said as he sat across from her. "So, tell me, how have you been? What's life been like for you?"

Well, I can't complain. I have good days and bad days, like everyone, she said, looking him in the eyes.

You're right.

And I can't complain either because I have the life I always wanted.

Well, I found a wonderful man to share my life with, and we've built a beautiful family together, she said, carefully observing his reactions.

Oh... Gabriel felt awful hearing this, not the answer he had hoped for.

And you? How have you been? What have you been up to?

Well... I'm good... I focused on managing several department stores.

Oh, that's great.

Yeah... he said, grimacing.

And did you get married?

Well... yes, but don't worry. My marriage only lasted a year before I got divorced.

Oh wow, I'm sorry to hear that.

No need to be. Honestly, I think it was for the best.

Oh yeah? Why's that?

Well, because now we... um... I mean, if you want to...

Ah... you bastard, you want to steal my Samantha, Eric thought furiously. When he noticed his son shaking his head, Eric only became angrier. Gabriel, I think that's a personal matter, and I don't want to be involved in it."

Huh? Wait... what do you mean by that?

You and I are just friends or acquaintances... whichever you prefer-

No, Gabriel interrupted her.

Huh? Gabriel, what's wrong with you?

"Samantha, how can you say we're just friends when we-

When ""we""?"" she repeated, raising an eyebrow. ""The 'we stopped existing many years ago."""

"But I still haven't been able to forget you, and I thought you might-

 

Well, 12"

thought wrong."

"What we felt for each other is in the

But-"""

ast now, and that won't change."

Gabriel, she said, taking his hands, "Many years ago, you and I seemed like a reality, but remember, your were the one who ended the relationship."

But I didn't want to, he confessed, tears beginning to blur his vision.

But you listened to your mother, didn't you?

"Samantha, I'm sorry... I really didn't want to break up. I wanted to go through with our wedding, and-

And that didn't happen. I admit, I waited for you,"" she admitted, looking away."

What... you... you waited for me? Gabriel now felt like the ground was disappearing beneath his feet.

Yes, I did... Even though we broke up suddenly and you moved away... I waited for a year for you to come back to me because I loved you, she said, raising her gaze to look him in the eyes.

Eric looked up at his wife, unsure how to feel at that moment. Had she just settled for him?

R-Really? Gabriel asked, feeling a ray of hope.

But you didn't come back. You know, even my mother scolded me for suffering over someone who wasn't worth it. Because at the end of the day, you didn't love me like you said. "That's not true. I love you, and-""

No, it's not true. If you had really loved me like you said, you would have fought for us... but you didn't. You kept listening to your mother, she said, sighing and letting go of his hands. "But that's all in the past now, and you know, I don't blame you for anything, nor do I hold a grudge."

Sam...

"In fact, I'm actually grateful for what you did because I went back to my career, and there, I met my truel

love."

No... Samantha, you're wrong. I am-

No, Gabriel, don't get confused, she said, frowning slightly. "Eric Cooper is my husband the love of my life, my best friend, and my spouse. We have a wonderful son together, and now we have four beautiful grandchildren whom I love with all my heart. I'm not going to change anything about my life just because you want to revive the past, which never led to anything."

Eric blushed at his beloved's words, feeling the same way. She was everything to him.

But I love you, Samantha.

That's not love, Gabriel. You're obsessed with the past and what could have been... but our fate says otherwise.

Chapter 328

Chapter 328

No, Sam... don't say that to me.

Gabriel, I don't hold any grudges or anything like that, but there will never be anything between us, and actually, after what just happened... I don't think we can even remain friends. "What? Why?"

Because you're not here to be my friend. Besides, you scared my grandson not long ago.

"But about that kid... why do you care so much? I mean. he's not your blood,

and-"

So what? I've been his grandmother since he was born, and you're in no position to judge me or tell me what I can or can't do.

"Sam..

It's Samantha,"" she corrected him. ""And you know, it hurts to find out that you're the one harming my family... When I agreed to this lunch, it was to ask you: why are you doing this?"" ""Wait, Samantha, don't say or do something you'll regret."""

I don't regret anything because I'm going to defend my family with everything I have, she said, looking him in the eyes. "So, I hope you stop bothering my family or face the consequences," she said, standing up

and taking some money out of her wallet to leave on the table. "Well, I'm leaving. Goodbye."

See you later, ma'am, the waiter said as he took away the glass and money from the table. "Sir, would you like anything else?"

Samantha, Gabriel called out, standing up quickly, but then he saw her stop at the table behind them.

Now all three of you, come over here-you're in trouble, Samantha said. "And yes, that includes you, Max.

Ma'am?

Darling...

Come on, now take me home because I want to have lunch with my grandchildren, she said, taking Eric's hand and leading them all out of the restaurant without looking back.

Eric was astonished, but a soft smile spread across his lips as he intertwined his hand with hers, letting himself be led by her.

Gabriel felt devastated... she had left him.

With that realization, he fell to his knees, feeling like the most miserable man in the world,

Curiously, Jamie had also been sitting at a nearby table, listening to everything. When he saw the Coopers leave, he approached his boss and offered him a handkerchief. Gabriel looked up and saw his assistant. "Don't you dare say anything," he said angrily, standing up and taking the handkerchief to wipe his tears.

Well, I guess this could've gone worse, Jamie commented as he sat down and glanced over at the waiter. "Excuse me, could you bring us two glasses of lemonade, please?" "Right away," replied the walter, turning to get the order

How can you say this was better? She rejected me!

It's not the first time.

That's why I told you you were living in a fantasy. You left her, and as you heard... despite everything, she waited for you, but you didn't have the guts to fight for her love

Oh, sir, stop torturing yourself like this. How about you let go of the past and live your life instead?

I don't know how.

Well, as your assistant, I can set you up on some dates with lovely ladies your age. I think all this happened because you're lonely. Or, I don't know... maybe you'd like to take a big step and consider adopting a child or sponsoring a talented young person. "Ah... I don't know."

Well, at least be grateful that you're in one piece and that you two only talked.

Out of those three, one had a gun ready for emergencies.

Gabriel was startled by that revelation.

You know, sir, if this hurts you so much, let's do things the right way. You should apologize to Eric Cooper and his family for attacking them without any reason. Let's forget this whole Gate Construction thing and go back to our city.

Gabriel looked worriedly at the young man before grimacing.

I think that would be best...

Gentlemen, the waiter said as he arrived with their drinks. "Jamie..."

Thanks for putting up with this stubborn old man..

You're welcome. Now, how about you eat something? Skipping meals at your age isn't a good idea, Jamie said, picking up the menu, which made the older man laugh.

Chapter 329

Chapter 329

Extra 25: Not-So-Innocent Prank Part 1

After that conversation, things started to change for the better.

Gabriel followed his assistant's advice. After paying off the last lawsults, Gate Construction closed down. Just as it had appeared out of nowhere, it vanished just as suddenly.

The only good thing to come out of Gabriel's attacks was that it taught a valuable lesson, not just to the Coopers but also to other companies: to keep some emergency funds on hand. Gradually, life for the Cooper family began to return to normal, settling back into their work routines and caring for the children.

As the years passed, the four siblings grew up amidst laughter, games, and studies, which filled their parents with pride.

James continued with his ambition to study and become a great architect like his father. He made sure to spend time with him and his grandfather at the company. In his free time, he played with the twins or worked out, as he had started following an exercise routine. Elizabeth found her calling in fashion, so her grandmother helped her by taking her to various fashion shows and enrolling her in sewing and dressmaking courses. Elizabeth wanted to be well-prepared, and for that, she used her whole family as her models, but her best models were the twins and the pets.

Nicole and Michael were simply whirlwinds with legs. They loved to play pranks on their older sister, hiding her sewing tools, and showing off their new tricks to their grandparents. The only ones they didn't prank were their mom and older brother, though their dad sometimes joined in on the mischief.

Generally, the twins' pranks were playful and meant to have fun with the family. But when they did, their pranks could be quite harsh.

At this point, James was already sixteen years old. Despite his young age, he always displayed a very mature and responsible demeanor, taking his role as the older brother and a role model seriously.

Elizabeth also commanded respect, but despite being fifteen, she sometimes acted as childishly as the twins, which was fun for everyone to see, with only James being the voice of reason among them.

At that moment, it was close to the end of the school term, and all the kids were excited because they were promised a vacation at the beach. Their parents had promised that the six of them would go to the beach together without any interruptions from work. The twins volunteered to make a list of everything they would need.

Nicky, do you have the list? asked Michael.

Here it is, Nichole replied happily, holding up a piece of paper. "Let's see: sunscreen, plastic buckets of different sizes, shovels for the sand, molds, hats, sunglasses, sandals, towels, and swimsuits."

Hmm... do we need anything else? Michael asked thoughtfully.

What about floaties? the butler reminded them.

Oh! Right! Nicole said, writing it down on her list.

Thanks, Francis, Michael said.

You're welcome."

Twins, are you ready? they heard Danielle's voice as she entered the house at that moment.

Yes! they shouted, running to the car. "See you, Francis."

Take care, young masters, the butler said goodbye.

Bye-bye, the kids answered in unison, laughing as they climbed into the vehicle.

Okay, kids, before we go to the store, we'll pick up Elizabeth from her course, and then we'll go get James who's with Mr. George, Danielle said, making sure they put on their seatbelts. "Okay, Dani," Michael said.

And Max? Nicole asked.

Max is taking care of his baby, so today, it's just us.

When can we meet the baby? Michael asked excitedly.

Let him grow a little bit. He's only two months old and can't go out much yet.

Aww... they said in unison, pouting.

Danielle tried to cheer up her little bosses, and soon they arrived at the school where Elizabeth was taking her sewing and dressmaking courses.

Ellie! they cried, running to hug her.

Whoa... hi, she said happily, hugging her little siblings back.

How was your class, sis? Michael asked.

Ellie, did you make my dress?

Nicky, the blonde boy complained, pouting.

Haha, I thought all that love was too much to be true, Elizabeth said playfully. Don't worry, though. I finished your dress today in class, and I also fixed the stuffed bear." "Yay!" the twins shouted with joy.

Well, at least they're not selfish, Danielle joked, hearing the kids laugh. "Okay, everyon get in. Next stop, Peterson Group," she said, opening the car door. Everyone nodded and followed Danielle's instructions.

At that moment, James was helping his aunt with some work at the company while his uncle was in the vault with Howard.

Here you go, Aunt, James said, handing her some folders.

Thanks. You know, you make an excellent assistant, she said. "Seriously, wouldn't you like to work here at the company?"

Thanks, Aunt, but I'm set on architecture.

Well, if you change your mind, know that we'd love to have you here, she said, winking at him.

Ma'am, her assistant entered the office, looking a bit worried.

What's wrong? Erika asked, concerned because he wasn't usually like this.

There's a woman downstairs causing a commotion.

Well, what are you waiting for? Throw her out, James sald, frowning.

It's just... she's with Mr. Roger.

My brother-in-law? Erika asked, confused. "Alright, I'm coming, and...

I'll go with you, Aunt.

Erika let out a sigh, standing up. "Patrick, let my husband know what's happening while I go see what this is about," she said, walking alongside her nephew as they left the office to see what was going on.

Meanwhile, Danielle and the kids had arrived at the company. When they got to Anton to greet him, they saw he was in an argument with a woman with black hair.

I already told you, I'm going up, she said angrily.

And I've already told you, you can't go in, ma'am. So step back, or I'll call security.

Go ahead and call them, she said, shoving the security guard. "Because today's your last day working here," she declared, walking towards the elevators.

Anton, are you okay? Elizabeth and Danielle ran to help the guard, who had hurt his shoulder when he fell and was now clutching it tightly

No... but she...

I've already called Grandpa. Danielle, stay with him. And you guys... huh? Elizabeth got scared when she didn't see her younger siblings by her side. "Nicole? Michael?" she called out, worried because they were no longer next to her. Nicole and Michael had been angered when they saw the woman hurt their friend, so they ran off to stop

Chapter 330

Chapter 330

Extra 25: Not-So-Innocent Prank Part 2

The black-haired woman felt triumphant, believing she was proving to her father that she could get anything she wanted, no matter the obstacle in her way.

Unfortunately for her, her luck ran out when she realized the company had two elevators: one that went to all the floors and was for all employees, and another one that was exclusive for reaching the CEO's office. In other words, she wouldn't be able to reach "her grandfather" because that special elevator required an access card.

Damn it... she muttered.

Ma'am, are you okay? a child's voice called out from behind her.

Are you having trouble, ma'am? another child's voice followed.

Who are you calling 'ma'am? That word made her frown. She was only twenty years old, so she quickly turned to confront them, only to be surprised when she found two little kids watching her intently, "We called you ma'am," Michael said.

Because you are one. You look old, Nicole added mockingly.

The woman was furious, but she tried to control herself and not lash out because of their comments." And can you tell me what you're doing in my company?

Your company? Michael asked.

That's funny. We've been coming here to play our whole lives, and we've never seen you, Nicole said.

That's because I'm someone super important, and not just anyone can see me.

Are you sure? Nicole asked, glancing at her friend..

Or maybe you're a super liar, Michael suggested.

What? she said angrily.

A liar, they said in unison, running to the special elevator and pulling out a card from their clothes.

The woman was astonished to see that, realizing that these two brats had the special access card. She quickly moved closer, intending to snatch the card from them. "Hold on a minute. "What do you want?" Nicole asked.

You stole my card.

Huh? The kids looked at each other. "That's not true. This is our card," they said in unison.

No, it's not.. so hand it over, she demanded, taking a step forward to grab the card. But when she touched it, she received a strong electric shock. "Ah!"

The twins burst out laughing as the shock made the woman fall to the floor.

You little...! she shouted in anger and raised her hand to hit them and teach them a lesson, but someone

grabbed her hand before she could.

What do you think you're doing? A man's voice, full of anger, asked.

She winced at the grip on her wrist and tried to free herself. Turning around, she was startled to see her father. But that couldn't be possible since the person in front of her seemed to be a young man with brown hair. "Brother!" the twins cried out with tears in their eyes as they ran to hug him.

I'll ask you again. What were you trying to do to my little siblings?

Your siblings? she repeated, worried.

James, don't yell at your sister, Roger appeared beside them. He had gone to the bathroom for a moment, and when he returned, he saw she wasn't there, so he got worried. Fortunately, he just had to follow her voice. odo

Excuse me, sir, but neither you nor this lady have anything to do with me, James started saying. "So I'm going to ask you to get lost before I kick you out myself," he declared, showing his fists in a threatening

manner.

What did you say...?

Go ahead, try it, kid, Roger growled furiously.

Enough! Erika arrived. "What's going on here?"

Erika w

was upset because she had to take care of something, and James had gone ahead instead of waiting for her.

And who are you? the black-haired woman asked angrily, trying to cling to her father while still glaring at James with hatred. Now she recognized him: he was her father's son... her half-brother... someone she obviously hated because it was clear he lived in luxury, unlike her.

Roger, Erika said, ignoring the black-haired woman. "Need I remind you that you lost the right to enter this company. You are not welcome here," she said, looking him in the eye. "Neither you nor this girl. So I'll ask you, please, not to come here to cause a scene, or this time I'll call the police because your daughter hurt my receptionist."

What...? Roger looked worriedly at his daughter.

It wasn't my fault, Dad. He pushed me, and then those monsters electrocuted me, she said, pointing at

the kids.

Don't insult my siblings.

Seems like their father doesn't know how to raise them. she mocked, looking at the children, who took refuge behind their brother. "Now, apologize to my princess," Roger ordered, frowning.

Look who's talking, James said, standing protectively in front of the twins.

"You... Roger clenched his fists tightly.

That's enough,"" Erika commanded. ""This ends here. So tell me, why are you here before I have you thrown out?"""

This is none of your business, Erika. I just want to see my father.

My father-in-law is old and doesn't need you giving him more headaches.

Hey, lady, who do you think you are to talk to my dad like that?

I could ask you the same thing, miss. Aren't you too old to have your dad do you favors? James asked, carrying his little siblings.