Nathan's blood ran cold. "Alex Reed?" he repeated, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "When did this happen, Emma?" "Just this morning," Emma replied, her voice trembling slightly. "The letter said I was to leave immediately, and new management would take over. I didn't even get a chance to clear out my things." Nathan's mind raced. How had Alex moved so quickly? He hadn't even had time to confront him yet, and already his step brother was making bold moves against him. "Alright, Emma. Stay safe. I'll handle this." He hung up and took a deep breath, trying to control his rising anger. It was clear Alex was playing hardball, and Nathan needed to be prepared for anything. He stepped out of the car and approached the security guard again, this time with steely determination. "I'm Nathan Reed, the rightful owner of Witanhurst Estate. If you don't let me in, I will call the authorities and have you all removed from my property." “Oh, so you are the Nathan guy. You know, our boss Ale

“Young master? Are you.. He has hung up.” Fred gently his head on the wall. ‘Think Fredrick, think. There has to be a loophole, a pit. Something, anything.” he roared and scattered the books and files on his table. But there was nothing Fred could do at this moment. All he could do was sit down in his chair and sigh in disappointment. How could he have let this happen? He could have put more pressure on Nathan or he would have derived a backup plan. He just sat there and watched everything unfold right under his nose. There was still one thing that bothered Fred and frightened him. When he was newly appointed as P.A to the Reeds, he was treated like family and Fred found so much joy and satisfaction serving the Reeds that he signed a contract to work for the ‘Reeds’ until he retired at age 80. In the document, he did not state that he would serve Nathan or his father. He said he was going to serve the ‘Reed Empire’ no matter who becomes the head, he has to serve. There was

5 Years Later The dim light of the bar flickered as Nathan wiped down the counter, the rag in his hand moving with mechanical precision. “Hey, Collins!” his boss, Carlos, barked from the other end of the bar. “Get those drinks out faster. What do you think I’m paying you for, slump?” Nathan nodded, saying nothing. He had grown accustomed to the harsh words, finding a strange solace in their predictability. He poured the drinks and served them to the rowdy group of men at the corner table, their laughter and crude jokes filling the air. One of them, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, grabbed Nathan’s arm as he set down the glasses. “Why so quiet, hombre?” the man sneered. “You got no friends? No past? No future? I have been noticing you for years now. Pareces un caballo abandonado!” Nathan pulled his arm free and stepped back, forcing a smile. “Just here to work,” he muttered before turning away. As the night wore on, Nathan found himself alone in the small alley beh

Nathan raised an eyebrow, keeping his face neutral. "I'm not sure I understand, ma'am. This section is a bar. We serve drinks here." The woman chuckled softly. "You're quite the modest one, aren't you? My name is Eleanor Davenport, and this is my assistant, Maria. I have a keen eye for potential, and I see something special in you." Nathan forced a polite smile. "Thank you, madam, but I'm just a bartender." Eleanor leaned in, her voice dropping to a low, intimate tone. "Oh please, I don't think so. I think there's a lot more to you than meets the eye. I have a business proposition for you, something that could change your life." Nathan's pulse quickened. He had learned to be wary of such offers and not trust anyone. Not a single soul, but curiosity got the better of him. "I'm not looking for any new opportunities right now. I'm content with my work here." Eleanor's smile remained, but her eyes hardened slightly. "Content? Or hiding? You seem like a man running from something, som

"Well, my lovely granddaughter has a severe health issue, cancer. And well, we have a very big business event to attend in London where we would drop a proposal for a certain huge project, none of your business. Now, all of my children and grandchildren who attend that event must be married with a perfect mate.” “Candace is ambitious and I am sure she would be the one to strike the deal for us. But you see, because of her health condition, none of the fucking men in Mexico and London wants to get married to her.” Nathan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "So, you want me to get temporarily married to your granddaughter, Candace," Nathan finished, trying to wrap his head around the proposal. "You want me to pretend to be her husband so she can attend this event and close the deal." Vivian smiled thinly. "You will be well compensated, of course. A substantial sum that could change your life. And perhaps, in helping Vanessa, you might find a new purpose for yourself." N