It's been three weeks. Vesper had become well known in the company. Thanks to Nikolai, he had become a prominent figure, accompanying him to board meetings and other important gatherings. Thus, his success soared. Adira had just finished from an important meeting and was exiting the building with her assistants behind her. Coming down from an escalator, they found themselves in a bustling mall, where Adira's eyes were Immediately drawn to some really fine dresses she knew would look good on her. "Let's check those out." She said to Bonnie and they approached the shop. The receptionist was very elated to receive Adira, wide smile stretched across face, reaching from cheek to cheek. "I bet this would look great on you, ma'am." She beamed, showing a red dress to Adira. The galleria was very busy and a lot of people passing by kept stealing glances at Adira. Calmly, Adira started making some selections and was on the fifth dress when she heard a familiar voice from behind. "Adira?" A puzzled expression crept across her face. That voice...she could recognize it from anywhere. She turned languidly and her eyes fell on Lancelot - the one person she didn't want to see at the moment. He was dressed casually in a pair of black pants and black top, and Adira could swear, a lot was different about him. Something's changed. But how the hell was he there? Was it a coincidence? Or has he been following her? "I finally got the chance to meet you." He scoffed, taking a step closer. Bonnie and the other assistants watched curiously. They couldn't tell if he was a friend at that moment or a foe.A soft exhale escaped Adira's lips as she clasped her hands together, at the small of her back. "Hello, Lancelot." She called formally. It hurt her to know that was the man that used to be the absolute love of her life. The man she played around with and planned her future around. It hurt to know she could only look at him with eyes of hatred. That burning love was gone and al that was left in her heart now for him was nothing but deep hatred and need for revenge. "Why have you been avoiding me?" He moved closer to her. "I keep coming to the office to see you, but countless times, I've been sent away. What did I do wrong?" "What's so difficult to understand?" Adira sighed. "It's obvious I do not want to see you. So, why do you keep making an effort?" "Seriously?" He scoffed and itched his hair. "Listen, Adira," He adopted a quiet timbre, but those around could still hear him. "I badly need to hold this meeting with you. It's been over a month since you took those files and promised to get back to me. My company... things have not really been going well for us. Our stocks keep going down, we keep losing clients and that's because of the competition you created! Please, you really need to do something about this and just give me that moment. You need to fix this." As he spoke, Adira noticed his eyes were a little sore. Now, she realized what was so different about him. He was frustrated, losing his mind. She released her hands from her back and turned around to face the arranged clothes. That way, she was backing Lancelot. "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about it, Mr. Lancelot. Business is business, and it isn't my fault that my company is a threat to yours" She ran her fingers through the fabric of some of the clothes. "And about the partnership you were talking about, I agree that I did take the files from you, but it's obvious that I have no interest in signing the deal with you. As a matter of fact, I never want to have any dealings with you or your family. So, I'd appreciate it if you stop bugging me.""Seriously?" Lancelot's voice softened. He tried going closer to her again, but Bonnie stood in the way. "Um.... I'm sorry, sir, but I think you need to watch the distance now." She stated courteously. Lancelot's fingers curled into fists beside him. "I use to be your husband, Adira!" He suddenly yelled, earning a wild gasp from the people around. The people who had just been walking by, oblivious of what was happening, all paused and became drawn to the scene. That was loud enough for anyone to hear. His words hit Adira like a sledgehammer, her eyes shimmered with shock. She remained backing him, not making a move. "For over ten years, I was the love of your life. But simply because things didn't work out between out between us, you decide to pull me down? Really?!" Adira turned at him."Have you lost your mind?" She clenched her jaw muscles, her eyes glaring daggers. "Yes, I have. And that is because you're making me lose my mind! My sanity!" Bonnie rushed over to Adira's side. "Ma'am, we need to get out of here." Some of the onlookers were beginning to take pictures and videos. With her eyes rimmed with crimson, Adira looked around and confirmed that the situation was indeed getting messy. This wasn't a good publication at all. She balled up her hands, glared daggers at him and began walking away, but suddenly, she paused. A lot of people had already captured the moment. And if she left without saying a word, his accusations would seem true. The onlookers whispered as she turned around and walked back to him. Even Bonnie had become scared. "You think I'm trying to pull you down?" Her eyes sparkled with resentment. "You dare accuse me of karma's doings? Yes, we used to be married, but why don't you go ahead and tell them how you used and dumped me?! Why don't you go ahead and let them know you were nothing but a traitorous husband?" Lancelot's eyes began to flicker. "Adira..." "You fool." She gritted. "We were still married when you started sleeping with your second woman who is now your unfortunate wife. She got into your head and you pushed me out of our matrimonial home for no reason! You and your evil mother took everything from me. You locked my accounts and even made me lose my child! Since you've started this, I believe everyone needs to know the truth - especially the fact that I nearly took my life due to the depression. So, don't ever stand there and accuse me of your misfortune, because this is all karma's doings, not mine." A tear slipped her eye. Lancelot was transfixed with shock and couldn't do anything.Turning around, Adira walked away, trying all she could to hold back her tears. The whispers increased amongst the people. "My goodness! She's been married before?" "He was so cruel to her?" "How can he be so heartless? She went through a lot." "I think I know him. He's the CEO of Zenith Enterprises." "They're so mean." Lancelot was losing his mind. No, this wasn't what he wanted. Not at all. The whispers became too loud in his head, he ran away. ****†****† Adira had thought it'd be easy responding to Lancelot in that manner, little did she expect that it would open up old wounds. It returned memories of how much she had suffered back then as a result of his betrayal - those nights he'd sleep out with Jardine, while she'd be left all alone at home. How could she forget the very day he threw her out of the house and asked her to get rid of the baby? How could she simply forget when the pains were still fresh? Oh! She hated him. She hated him so much for all he did to her. His karma was only getting started. She cried at the backseat of the moving car, and Bonnie who was beside her, didn't know how to help. She actually had no idea that Lancelot was her ex. So, it was coming as a big shock to her. Arriving at the company, all Adira wanted to do was get into her office and cry more. She knew the videos must have made their way to the internet already. So, she ignored the stares she got from people and just proceeded into the elevator. In a short while, she and Bonnie were walking towards her office. "Um... ma'am, do you need me to get you some...""I'll call you if I need anything." She interrupted feebly, not throwing a glance at her. She proceeded into her office alone but was shocked when she found Nikolai, leaning on her desk. He looked almost like he had burst out of nowhere and had been waiting for her return. Her toughness died at once. Seeing him, she realized just how badly she needed a hug. And he seemed to have read through her, because he approached her immediately and pulled her into a hug. "Come here, it's fine." He cooed, patting her back and letting her whimper on his chest. ****†****† "How could you be so careless, Lancelot?! How could you start such a sensitive conversation in public?!" Mr. Silas yelled at the top of his voice. His wife, Lancelot and Jardine were standing before him. As soon as the videos hit the internet,him and his wife rushed over to Lancelot's apartment."The videos are everywhere! And it's created a very bad image for our struggling company! How could you be so careless?" Lancelot was seated on the couch and had his head in his palms. "I'm sorry." He muttered. "I didn't realize when I said those words. "Goodness!" Mr. Silas grunted. "Now, this mistake of yours is going to cost us a lot! Here I was, trying to revive the company. Yet, you do something more stupid." "Please," Jardine chipped in sadly. "I think we need to take it easy on Lancelot. We all know how hard he's been trying to get the company together. And I'm very sure all he needs is sometime. Please." A hush briefly filled the air. "This is all your fault," Lancelot suddenly said, his head still bowed in his palms. Since he wasn't looking at anyone in particular, they all wondered who he was referring to. "Everything was going just fine until you showed up. Just like a snake, you whispered temptations into my ears and turned me against Adira. You made me into a monster, now my life is a mess." At that point, it became clear. Jardine arched her brows as her lower lip shook slightly. "Lan... Lancelot?" She called fretfully. He lifted his head from his palm ahs looked at her, and goodness! His eyes were tinged with redness. "You caused this, Jardine." He rose to his feet. Jardine took a step back. "I should've never listened to you. I should've never listened to my mother. Yes, my life was not entirely perfect when I was with Adira, but I had peace - so much peace. And you've taken it away. It's all your fault." "Lancelot!" Jardine gasped, her eyes glistening with tears. "What're you talking about?" "I am talking about the fact that you ruined my life!" He yelled at her, causing her to shudder. "Can't you see? You're nothing but ill-luck to this family from the very week we got married, I got into a terrible accident and stayed in coma for close to two years, Jardine! Then,I woke up to see I've lost everything! Adira's right; she isn't responsible for any of these - no. This is karma. And you are that karma! You were sent to ruin my life!" His voice echoed like a thunderstorm, and by the time he finished, a tear streaked Jardine's cheek. She looked at him with so much fear and disbelief. Tensed silence lingered in the air and was only broken by the sound of Mr. Silas dropping to the floor. "Silas!" Mrs. Winslet cried out and rushed to him. "Dad!" The old man had collapsed.