~~~~~~~~~~~~~Julianne~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dad, you did not have to come here", I was panicking since last one hour, when my dad came to new York unannounced.

"Shut up Julianne, you don't need to tell me what I have to do", dad snapped back on me.

"Dad, I have tried everything. Believe me, nothing worked. Oliver is not at all interested in me", I said.

"Of course he is not interested in you, because you have not tried enough", dad poked his index finger into my cheek, glaring at me. His eyes, fixed on me was making me nervous. I knew I had to do something, anything to calm him down, before his anger could harm me. My dad never shied away from giving harsh corporal punishments to me ever. Even till today. And that was one of the reasons why I feared him.

"I....I am sorry dad. Just tell me what I need to do now?" I asked trying hard not to look back into his eyes.

"You need to fix everything. You have spoiled everything. All my plans. You are good for nothing. Waste... Crap!", He screamed at me.

I stepped back. But he grabbed my jaws into his hands, crushing my cheeks with his strong fingers he said, "you have been a very disappointing child. Now promise me, you would do as I say".

Tears had started flowing down my cheeks and I couldn't speak. My throat was choking with all this pain I was feeling in my heart. How could someone do this to his own daughter. "Are you listening?", He questioned tilting my face up towards his face and I nodded in fear.

"Very well, now listen carefully and do exactly as I say. And remember, this is our last chance, so better don't mess this up, or else you know what I do when you disappoint me", he said.

The thought of my skin tearing up with his whips brought down chill all over my body and I shivered with fear. "I promise dad, I'll not disappoint you this time", I said quietly.

**********

"Thanks Oliver, for helping me out once again", I said leaning back on the chair. I was lucky, as Samantha was not there with him today in the office. It was the ideal time for me to play my last card.

"You don't need to say thanks to me Julianne. You are my friend and this was nothing", he said and I smiled at him. Asking him to help me on my presentation was just an excuse to get a chance to execute my plan.

"But Julianne, we can work on this presentation tomorrow. Today I have to go see Sam's mom. Infact I must leave now", he said looking at his watch.

"Er... Now? Actually Oliver the presentation is tomorrow morning and I just have today's time to prepare for it. You know that my business knowledge is so poor. But if it's urgent then I won't stop you".

Oliver sighed and then said, "alright, let me call Sam first. Excuse me!", He said and left the room.

After five minutes he came back and said, "I think I can stay for just today. So, I'll help you".

I gave him a wide smile and said, "really, thanks a lot Oliver". Just then the door swinged open and a guy came rushing down in the room. His face was all flushed.

"What the hell Justin? Where are your manners?" Oliver screamed at him.

"I am sorry Sir, actually its urgent".

"What is it?"

"It seems that our latest designs which we were supposed to deliver to the Cooper's next week", he stopped before finishing his sentence.

"Finish the damn sentence Justin", Oliver screamed at him again.

"Sir, the... they ... It looks like someone sold those design to our rival company, Panache".

"What? What do you mean?"

"I... I mean someone stole our designs sir".

Oliver closed his eyes for few seconds. He had his body all tensed up, his fingers clutched tighter. Then in a very calm tone he said, "I want the name of the person who did this".

"But sir, how do we find out?"

This was my chance to jump in into the conversation. "Oliver if you don't mind can I suggest something?"

"Shoot", he said.

"Why don't you immediately cease all the systems and screen all of them to check if any kind of data exchange has been done between this company and Panache".

"I don't think the person who did that would be so stupid as to not delete all such communications from his or her system", he said.

"True, but if we do deep screening then it's possible to get deleted data too", I said.

"Sir, I think what she is suggesting could work", said Justin. I gave him a small smile appreciating his efforts.

"Alright", Oliver said before calling someone ordering him to immediately cease all work and leave the office.

My work was done here. I said, "Oliver, I don't think you would be able to concentrate on anything else now. Don't worry about the presentation, I'll manage."

"Thanks Julianne, and I am sorry I couldn't help you", he said tension quite clear on his face.

"It's all right Oliver", I said and gave him a hug.

As I came out of his cabin I gave Justin a thumbs up for doing his job well and left his office.

******

~~~~~~~~~~~~Samantha~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was terrified as I entered the hospital. Each stair cause my heart a bit more heavier as I moved further closer to where my mom was. The fear of losing her was predominant in my heart at the moment. I was wishing for her wellness with every passing second.

"Sam thank God you came", I was startled by Ben's voice coming from my back.

I moved around to see and saw him approaching me. "Ben, you scared me. How is she now?", I asked.

"By god's grace, she is absolutely fine now".

"Thank God", I said as I rushed to see her, but Ben stopped me. He held my wrist resisting me.

"Sam, before you see her, you need to know something".

"What?", I asked impatiently.

"She knows about you and Oliver", he said.

"What? How?" I said still trying to process the information he gave me.

"I did not had a chance to have a detailed chat with her because of her health, but she told me a girl came to visit her. She said you were trying to steal her fiance. Also a lot of other lies about you and Oliver. I think you know who that girl was", he said hesitating.

I brushed my hair back with my fingers and said," I can't believe she came all the way here to visit my mom and feed her brain with all these lies. I hate her. Julianne is a malicious woman Ben".

Ben held me and hugged me lightly and said, "although it breaks my heart to say this, but I agree with you. I was absolutely wrong about her. She really wants to break up you and Oliver and I think I know the reason for it too".

"Reason?"

"Yes, it's to save her dad's failing business. They have messed up their financials badly and now they are trying to trap Oliver. Julianne wants to marry him only for that reason".

"This is absolutely outrageous. How could she...?" I was out of words to describe the storm I was feeling inside my heart at the moment. Julianne has gone too far with her evil plans and I was done now.

"She shouldn't have harmed my mom", I said and moved ahead to meet mom. Ben followed me without saying anything.

As I entered the room, I saw mom lying on the hospital bed. Giving my mom's financial condition, you could have guessed that it was not a very ideal health facility in the area. The doors, and windows had a dull brown shade to it. IV's , heart monitor and oxygen tank was yet attached to her fragile skeletal frame. At one side of the bed laid two chairs frayed with wear and tear. I moved forward and brushed my hand lightly on her forehead and she opened her eyes.

"Sam, I was waiting for you. I....", She struggled to speak removing her oxygen mask.

"Mum, please calm down. I am here. Right beside you. You need to rest", I said sitting on one of the chair.

"No. I have to talk to you now. Sam, are you doing something which you shouldn't do?", She asked looking at me with hopeful eyes.

"Mum, what Julianne told you was a lie. Oliver and I love each other. She is just trying to create misunderstandings between us. And not to mention, failing badly in her plans".

"But she said they were going to get engaged", mom asked.

"Aunt Cathy, trust me, what Sam is saying is absolutely right. She is the one who came in between Sam and Oliver", Ben pitched in to save me from my mom's interogation.

I looked at mom, she had the worried eyes. My mom was the last person I wanted to suffer in any sense because of my relationship with Oliver. That is why I had avoided telling her anything, till Oliver mom's approval. But now the unavoidable had happened and I was furious. I wanted to confront Julianne soon.

Just then I got a call from Oliver. I disconnected it and sent him a message. 'Mom is fine. She just needs rest. I'll call you in an hour. I suggest you don't come here right now. I'll explain everything in detail, tomorrow'.

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