Diamonds and Revenge

Kendell reclined on the birthing bed, her face etched with strain, enduring the relentless ache with gritted teeth.

The excruciating pain seemed unyielding, draining her of every ounce of strength.

"Oh no! The water broke!"

"But the infant's head remains undelivered!"

"The mother's rapidly declining blood pressure!"

The doctors and nurses exchanged alarmed voices. While Kendell couldn't comprehend their specific words, the urgency of her situation was palpable.

What dire circumstances would unfold if she failed to deliver the baby?

Her mother, Shannon, battling leukemia, awaited a crucial bone marrow transplant. With financial constraints, Kendell struck a pact with Anniah.

She agreed to serve as a surrogate for her stepsister, Anniah, carrying a child for a stranger. In return, once born, the child would secure funds for Shannon's surgery and medical expenses.

Should she falter, both she and Shannon faced an uncertain fate.

No, she must bring forth this child.

Outside the delivery room, Anniah anxiously awaited developments.

The doctor hurried out and asked her, "The mother is having difficulty giving birth. Should we save the mother or the child?"

"Save the child, of course!" Anniah replied decisively. "No matter what, the child must survive!"

This child was her only bargaining chip to become Mrs. Marquitz.

If it weren't for her celebrity status and promising future, she would not accept Kendell's help!

Kendell summoned every vestige of strength, laboring for two hours until finally, a baby boy made his entrance into the world.

Overwhelmed by her exhaustion, Kendell succumbed to unconsciousness.

Carrying the newborn boy joyously, Anniah made her way back home.

Three days post-birth, just discharged from the hospital, Kendell hastened to confront Anniah.

Anniah leisurely polished her nails as Kendell stormed in with fiery determination. Anniah's query dripped with indifference, "And what brings you here?"

Irked, Kendell erupted, "My mother requires surgery tomorrow. Why has the agreed fee not been honored yet?"

A postpartum Kendell, wan and feeble, a stark contrast to the sophistication exuded by Anniah.

Derision laced Anniah's tone, "Bone marrow transplants impose burdensome costs. My earnings fall short. Consider your sister's dire predicament, can't you?"

Incensed, Kendell protested, "You pledged to save my mother!"

With disdain, Anniah flung the nail polish cap at Kendell, continuing, "She is your mother, not mine! Have you forgotten that you and your mother were disowned by the family long ago?"

Kendell stared at the woman before her, who shared the same father. Once close in their childhood, she now felt an entirely new sense of estrangement from Anniah.

Upon the sudden confrontation, Kendell grasped Anniah's hand with unexpected vigor. "You are without heart or gratitude. How can I trust you to nurture my child? Return my child to me!"

In a swift, forceful gesture, Anniah slapped Kendell.

Weakened by childbirth, the delicate Kendell succumbed to the impact, collapsing to the ground.

"Want your child? Not a chance! The child has long been sent to the Marquitz and I will marry Lex Marquitz soon! No one can stop that!"

Kendell raised her head, witnessing Anniah's arrogance, offering a chilly, sardonic smile.

"Anniah, I will not relinquish my child," Kendell declared, finding a sudden surge of strength. "I shall reclaim my child from the Marquitz family."

Announcing her intent, she turned to depart, interrupted by a voice from above echoing, "Halt her!"

In a retaliation swift as lightning, Anniah seized a vase, shattering it toward Kendell's head.

In an instant, ceramic shards filled the air, rendering Kendell unconscious on the floor, a trickle of blood escaping her wound.

"Mom! What shall we do? If Kendell reaches the Marquitz family, our fates shall be sealed!"

Beholding the unresponsive Kendell, Jacee's gaze gleamed with merciless resolve. "Once she breathes her last, everything will be set right."

Anniah halted momentarily.

Indeed, with Kendell out of the picture, the truth would forever remain shrouded.

"Mom, your acumen is striking," Anniah relaxed. "But what of Shannon? How will she react?"

A smile graced Jacee's lips, "Shannon harbors a deep bond with Kendell. She holds strict standards for her. Naturally, Shannon remains unaware of Kendell's newborn."

Acknowledging, Anniah proceeded, "But Shannon won't take Kendell's demise lightly."

Jacee grasped Anniah's hand, advising, "Shannon has long suffered from mental fragility. Why not have her transferred to a psychiatric facility? Your uncle will take care of her. There, she poses no threat."

Reassured, Anniah smiled, "Mom, I will resolve all matters competently."

Initially, Shannon's lineage once wielded considerable might in Manmoa. Being ill-equipped to raise Anniah, Jacee entrusted Shannon with her upbringing.

Subsequently, as Shannon's family waned, Jacee maneuvered to captivate Shannon's husband, usurping her position as the lawful wife, thereby paving the way for a long-awaited union with Anniah.

Post the grim deed of Anniah eliminating Kendell, Jacee contemplated the tumult of emotions besieging Shannon if she knew.

Jacee's smile deepened.

That very night, within the tumultuous tides, the unconscious and frail Kendell was mercilessly cast overboard.

Five years elapsed.

At Manmoa International Airport, journalists eagerly awaited at the arrival bay.

"Kendell has landed!"

Kendell acknowledged the throng with a radiant smile, gently lifting her sunglasses to unveil a visage resplendent and enthralling. Her lustrous, entrancing eyes held a shimmer of emotion, highlighted by a captivating beauty mark at the corner that bewitched every onlooker.

"Kendell, you achieved unparalleled success with the exquisite Butterfly Dream series at Litton Jewelry. At the pinnacle of this triumph, what led you to step away from Litton Jewelry?"

"Did misfortune befall you at Litton Jewelry, or was there another motivation behind your departure? Could you shed some light on this matter?"

"The Butterfly Dream series stands as your magnum opus. You personally curated promotional videos, attracting attention from multiple film and television companies. Are you contemplating a career metamorphosis?"

Kendell maintained a stoic silence to these inquiries, departing under the guardianship of law enforcement, swiftly whisked away in a private car post-airport.

Seated in the vehicle, she gazed vacantly at the unfamiliar cityscape.

Upon rousing from slumber, she found herself within the abode of Mrs. Litton, the eminent jewelry magnate.

Five years past, Mrs. Litton discovered Kendell adrift at sea, mobilizing an arsenal of medical experts to preserve her life. Yet, beyond recalling her name, Kendell had lost all other memories.

Her countenance bore scars aplenty, the vestiges of submersion and aging from seawater, necessitating a plastic surgery.

More disquieting still, each night, Kendell was plagued by a recurring dream—of her parturition.

Believing this dream to be entwined with her past, she confided in Mrs. Litton before retracing her steps to Manmoa.

A sudden telephone call pierced through her reverie.

"Kendell, this is Kassia from Marquitz Holdings' HR division. We are delighted that you have accepted a position within our esteemed company. With profound admiration, we appoint you as General Manager of Zenith Jewelry under our firm's aegis. Kindly expedite your onboarding process by visiting our premise posthaste."

Kendell tenderly assented, embarking on a car journey towards Marquitz Holdings' HR precinct to finalize her affiliations.

Emerging from the HR chambers, she overheard discreet murmurs.

"Look, isn't she Kendell from Litton Jewelry?"

"She is truly a vision! Radiant beyond compare, akin to a lunar deity!"

"She could effortlessly coast on her physical allure alone, yet her tenacity is her true asset. Undoubtedly a paragon of virtue!"

"I thought Anniah is your type."

"Shut up, she is betrothed to Lex. I don't want to get into trouble!"

Kendell paid no mind to these prattling comments, preparing for her inaugural assignment at Zenith Jewelry on the morrow.

Exiting the edifice, she donned shades and departed in a waiting car.

Within the CEO's sanctum at Marquitz Holdings, a statuesque and debonair figure stood by crystalline French windows. A bespoke black suit delineated his impeccable frame, exuding an ineffable air of nobility and grace.

His penetrating, inscrutable gaze fixated on Kendell, adorned in scarlet attire, as she exited the premises.

The office door ajar, his aide Deric entered, bearing documents. "Lex, these pertain to Kendell's induction. Would you kindly peruse and endorse them?"

Turning around, Lex received the documents, perusing them with a deft hand before retrieving a signing implement from an ebony holder.

In a hushed tone, Deric inquired, "Have you given this decision due consideration?"

Lex swiftly endorsed the documents, closing the dossier with a resounding thud, his tone cool and uncompromising, "Indeed."

The Butterfly Dream series, birthed by Kendell, with her starring role in the promotional campaign, swiftly garnered global sales surpassing 200 million within a day—an unparalleled feat in history.

Impressed by Kendell's work, Lex couldn't help but admire her efforts.

Unluckily, Lex was engaged to Anniah, the esteemed actress within Marquitz Holdings' Star Entertainment. Together, they had a five-year-old son named Jame.

Despite Lex's deep admiration for Kendell, any admiration had to cease at that point.

Lex declared, "Kendell's capabilities will undoubtedly steer Zenith towards triumph."

He further instructed, "Notify the finance department to double Kendell's salary. If Zenith's performance meets my expectations, she could ascend to the position of Zenith's CEO. In any case, I am averse to losing such talent from our ranks."

Deric was taken aback by this decision. While a promotion was a substantial token, being appointed CEO of Zenith equated to gaining a stake in Marquitz Holdings' equity.

Even though Anniah bore Lex's child, she had yet to acquire a share of their assets.

Following Deric's exit, Anniah, exuding elegance, settled onto the couch.

"Still engrossed in your work, Lex? Tonight, I have a meeting with a director. Would you care to join me?"

Lex, devoid of lifting his gaze, responded coldly, "Your agent will accompany you."

A sense of frustration stewed within Anniah. Despite being acknowledged as his fiancée for years and holding the leading position at Star Entertainment, Lex had never made advances towards her.

In moments of discontent, Anniah pondered how Lex had been intimate with Kendell that fateful night.

As her envy festered, she harbored hopes of seizing her chance through diligent efforts.

Sporting a coy smile, she approached Lex.

"If you dare draw near, you won't receive any offers this month."

Lex's low, chilling tone cut through the air, exuding an icy detachment wrapped in an aura of aristocratic dominance.

Unable to challenge him, Anniah softly suggested, "Lex, tomorrow marks my birthday... I've arranged a VIP suite. Will you attend?"

Lex shot her a look.

That glance pierced through her, causing a shiver to run down Anniah's spine. Subconsciously, she distanced herself from Lex before hastening out of the office.

Experiencing a whirlwind of frustration, Anniah pondered why Lex was resistant to intimacy with her. Despite enduring years as his fiancée, she encountered gossip and ridicule.

Although many claimed she aimed to elevate her status through bearing Lex's child, her dreams of advancement remained unfulfilled.

Nonetheless, she vowed to conquer Lex in the days ahead, a calculating glint shimmering within her carefully adorned eyes.