The moment Valentine Anderson caught sight of Margret Willow striding into his office instead of his secretary, his shoulders slumped and he sank back into his chair, a portrait of sheer frustration.
Without offering Margret a moment to take a seat, he launched into his impatient inquiry, "Meg, how much longer before we can jet off to Vegas City and make those cheaters pay for what they did to me?"
Raising an eyebrow, Margret teased, "Feeling jealous, are you?"
Valentine's expression soured at the insinuation. "Jealous? No, I'm furious. After all their attempts to have me killed, now they're playing house like some storybook family."
Margret let out a chuckle before probing further, "So, you're over Andrea Singers, then?"
Hearing that name made Valentine's face darken further. He spat out his words with disdain, "Meg, can you not repeat that name? It's nauseating and drives me up the wall."
Margret raised her hands in a gesture of mock surrender but then her tone turned serious, "Listen, there's no point in throwing a fit or lashing out at everyone. We're nearly there. We've secured 95% control of the board. Just a little push for the remaining 5%, and we can move against Singers Group without any concerns over board loyalty."
This revelation seemed to wash away Valentine's anger, and he turned to face Margret with a newfound seriousness. "So you're saying that with complete control of the board, we can begin our assault on Singers Group?"
"Exactly," Margret replied with an indifferent shrug.
A triumphant smile crept across Valentine's face. "That's all I needed to hear. Pack your bags, Meg. We're going to Vegas soon."
Andrea and Lucas Anderson were blissfully unaware of Valentine and Margret's schemes.
Lucas Anderson was deeply engrossed in teaching Pete the fine art of calligraphy.
As Andrea searched for Lucas and stumbled upon this tender scene, she hesitated, reluctant to interrupt the moment.
The thought that Lucas might be Pete's father flickered through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
"Lucas, I need to talk to you," Andrea said, walking over to them.
Lucas looked up and gently said to Pete, "Keep practicing the strokes I showed you, buddy. I need to have a word with your mom."
"Okay, daddy," Pete chirped with joy.
Lucas and Andrea walked out of the house instead of going to the bedroom, they decided to stroll around the mansion courtyard.
As they wandered, Andrea asked, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"
Lucas, puzzled, replied, "Tomorrow is Tuesday."
Andrea rolled her eyes. "I'm aware it's Tuesday. But it's not just any Tuesday."
Lucas racked his brain but the significance eluded him until Andrea revealed, "Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary."
Lucas was struck dumb. It had been a year since he arrived in Vegas, a year since he had taken his twin brother's place on his wedding day and continued the pretense.
He hung his head, feeling a pang of guilt, but was jolted back to reality by a sharp pinch at his waist. He looked at Andrea with wide, innocent eyes.
"Stop drifting off. I've got plans for tomorrow," Andrea announced.
Lucas tensed, his recent experiences with Andrea leaving him on edge. The public displays of affection and media attention were far from his usual quiet life.
He managed a weak smile, imagining another of Andrea's elaborate relationship stunts. "Why are you giving me that look?" Andrea asked, her irritation clear as she stomped her foot.
"Nothing, nothing," Lucas chuckled, trying to ease the tension.
Andrea knew what was on his mind; convincing him to play along with her plans was no easy task.
"I want to celebrate big. I've sent out invites to everyone connected to the Singers Group, the whole city will come to a standstill for us. The governor might even declare a public holiday in honor of our anniversary," Andrea explained, her excitement growing with each detail.
Lucas' heart sank deeper with each word. Was it necessary to create such a spectacle for a marriage that was nothing but a facade?
As Andrea patted his back, she declared, "Since you're on board, I'll make the announcement."
He watched her, a helpless smile on his face, as she typed away on her phone. When she looked up, her smile was radiant. "It's done," she said.
Grabbing his hand, she pulled him along, her energy infectious. "Let's go for a horse ride," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
As they reveled in their joy, the world online erupted into chaos; every news outlet, from local media to international blogs, was abuzz with the news of their wedding anniversary. The declaration of a public holiday in Vegas only added fuel to the frenzy.
Upon seeing the headlines and trending topics, Tony felt a wave of frustration wash over him, nearly causing him to tumble from his chair.
Compelled to seek clarity, he snatched his car keys and sped towards the Singer's Mansion in search of Andrea. At the mansion, Housekeeper Win informed him, "Tony, Ma'am Andrea has gone for a horse ride with Sir. They're likely at the stables."
"Thank you, Win," Tony expressed with gratitude, and then he hastened to the stables. There, he found Andrea and Lucas, engrossed in a cheerful conversation while tending to the horses.
The sight only deepened Tony's gloom. Without regard for Lucas's presence, he interjected, "Andrea, we need to talk."
Andrea, surprised by his sudden appearance, responded with a mix of confusion and surprise, "Tony, why didn't you call before coming?"
"This isn't something we can discuss over the phone," Tony insisted with a grave tone.
After exchanging a few words with Lucas, Andrea stepped aside to speak privately with Tony. "What's the matter, Tony?"
"Andrea, what do you think you're doing?" Tony asked, his expression darkening with discontent.
"I'm trying to help Valentine accept his true identity," Andrea replied, her voice steady and calm.
Tony shot back, "By publicizing your marriage like this? By being plastered across the news every second with his twin brother? Tell me, if you're asked who you're married to, what will you say? Lucas Anderson or Valentine Anderson?"