Five Years Later...
"Little ancestor, it's time for your violin lesson."
A gentle woman in her mid-fifties, with warm eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled and a voice as soft as a lullaby, called out to the young master.
In response to her affectionate call, the opulent sitting room echoed with the sound of tiny, hurried footsteps and gleeful giggles.
The young master of the mansion, a four-year-old whirlwind, darted between plush sofas and marble columns like a miniature storm in motion.
His ginger curls bounced with every mischievous step, wild and untamed like the boy himself and his hazel eyes, which gleamed like gold, twinkled with the kind of mischief only a child that smart could conjure. He was a little mastermind—adorable, cunning, and entirely too clever for his age.
"Little ancestor, please, no more running or hiding. I am getting too old for this." Nanny Diwa pleaded, as she checked behind one plush sofa after another.
A uniformed maid, carrying a tray containing the young master's favourite chocolate chip cookies and warm milk, made her way into the expansive sitting room, beaming at the sight of the young master hiding behind one of the grand curtains.
"Isa, have you seen master Griffin?" Nanny Diwa turned to look at the maid, feeling helpless.
Griffin brought his little right forefinger to his lips and Isa gave him a nonverbal coded smile while replying to his nanny.
"No, ma'am. I haven't seen the little ancestor anywhere." Isa crouched and carefully dropped the tray on the table. "Maybe he is in his bedroom."
"No, he is in this sitting room." Nanny Diwa frowned, sensing the mischievous spark in Isa's eyes.
"Oh...then I'll help you check the lounge area." Isa curtsied, clearing her throat to mask a chuckle.
"Please do." Nanny Diwa let out a frustrated sigh, leaning her weight on one of the sofas.
Just then, Griffin peeked out just long enough to spot his unsuspecting nanny.
With a soft snicker, he pressed the button on the remote he'd sneakily reprogrammed earlier.
The TV flickered on, blasting cartoon sounds at full volume, startling the poor woman into a dramatic yelp.
"Little ancestor!" Nanny Diwa screamed spinning around in confusion.
Griffin burst out from his hiding spot, arms flailing, laughing so hard he nearly tumbled over.
Nanny Diwa shook her head with a sigh, one hand on her heart and the other on her hip. But her exasperation melted beneath a smile.
The little bundle of joy was impossible to keep up with and equally impossible not to love. She strolled to the TV and turned it off before returning to the young master.
"Got you again, Nanny." Griffin squealed, beaming with pride. "You make it so easy every single time."
"You almost gave me a heart attack you little adorable soul." Nanny Diwa lamented, crouching beside the young master and stroking his curls tenderly.
Griffin paused mid-giggle, eyes wide and round as saucers. He tilted his head, blinking up at his flustered nanny and said with the sweetest voice,
"But I didn't mean to give you a heart attack. I just wanted to make you laugh. The doctor said laughter is good for reducing stress in old people."
"Is that so?" Nanny Diwa raised an eyebrow, amused by Griffin ability to switch personalities and character.
"Yes. And..." Griffin pulled away from Nanny Diwa's gentle hold and hurried behind one of the plush couches. He returned to her holding a single sunflower he had picked up from the garden. "...this is for the most beautiful and sweetest Nanny in the whole world."
"Aww!" Nanny Diwa's heart melted. She collected the flower from the young master and hugged him even more tenderly. "Thank you, my child."
"You are welcome." Griffin let out a soft, exaggerated sigh, and Nana Diwa quickly freed the young master, knowing how much he disliked people hugging him. She was amongst the only two fortunate people allowed to hug the you master, the other person being his mother.
"Why don't you quickly take your snacks?" Nanny Diwa said standing up and straightening out her uniform gown. "Your violin tutor is already in the music room waiting for you."
"Are those the cookies Mommy and I baked?" Griffin eyed the cookies, uninterested.
"No, little ancestor. But your mommy has promised to make you another batch once she returns home from work today."
"Then you should already know that I wouldn't eat any cookies that Mommy didn't bake." Griffin pouted.
"I'm so sorry little ancestor. Would you like me to tell Isa to get you something else?"
"Yes, please. Some apples will do."
"Very well. I'll go get it myself." Nanny Diwa smiled lovingly at the little boy's impeccable manner, which could go either way when triggered, just like his mother.
Griffin waited for his nanny to leave the sitting room before retrieving his phone and dialling his mother's private number.
-
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In the heart of the global tech revolution stood a company that didn't just follow trends, but created them.
With sleek precision and relentless innovation, Griff Bardin Holdings had risen like a storm, within a span of approximately four years.
This company didn't just disrupt the functionality of many industries, but it redefined the digital age, transforming into a global powerhouse– a name that sent ripples through stock markets and sparked headlines across continents.
Its profit margins were the envy of competitors, its quarterly turnovers staggering, and its growth curve defied gravity.
The chairman and owner of this revolutionary company remained a mystery to everyone.
Only the legendary name, Ray Bardin, was etched in contract and splashed across headlines.
No one knew who this person was. No one had seen a picture. But the name, Ray, sparked gossip that it was definitely a powerful man with riches beyond measure.
The only person who is believed to know the real identity of the chairman is Nathaniel Jomari, the acting CEO and managing director of the Griff Bardin Holdings.
-
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The sleek conference room buzzed with energy, as a diverse group of product designers, engineers, developers, and strategists brainstormed on a new project.
Seated at the head of the table was the acting CEO—Nathaniel Jomari–sharp-eyed, driven, and relentlessly curious.
At his right-hand side was his most trusted personal assistant, Miss Ivy Cruz–a red-haired beauty with piercing emerald green eyes that could incinerate a building when provoked.
Miss Ivy Cruz rarely spoke at the meeting. But her mere presence commanded attention and respect even from the boss himself.
No one knew the exact relationship between Nathaniel and Ivy. And no one dared to question or speculate any rumours because even the thickest walls had unforgiving ears.
In the middle of the brainstorming session, Ivy's private phone buzzed once, and she quickly picked up the phone from the table, giving Nathaniel a signal to carry on before exiting the room.
A warm smile crept up her soft and pillowy pink lips as she received the call and said.
"Hello, baby."