I've Had Enough

Sunlight spilled into Arthur's penthouse, casting a warm glow over the opulent space as Helena slowly woke up, still feeling the lingering warmth from their passionate night. It was her first time sleeping with Arthur in his penthouse, and they didn't let the night pass without love-making. Helena was smiling to herself, thinking how powerful Arthur was. His arms wrapped around her, and his hands caressed and groped her breast, ass, and every sensitive part all over her body last night.

Today was supposed to be a new beginning in her life, but as she reached for her phone on the bedside table to check the time, a news notification caught her eye. Her heart dropped like a stone.

"Arthur...!" Helena gasped, her voice trembling as she showed him the headline: "Jordan and Lauren Lewis Accuse Helena Greene of Driving Their Son Israel to Suicide."

Arthur's eyes narrowed as he read the article. His jaw clenched with anger, and he pulled Helena close, wrapping his arms around her. "Don't worry, I'll handle this," he said, his voice firm but gentle.

Helena couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "How could they say such things?" she cried. "Israel was their son, and they're dragging his name through the mud to hurt me!"

"Shh, it's going to be alright." Arthur kissed the top of her head, trying to comfort her. "I won't let them get away with this. They'll pay for what they've done."

"Arthur, you don't have to."

"Helena, I want to. I love you, and I'll do anything to protect you. They tested my patience long enough, and I am left with no choice but to retaliate." His eyes burned with determination, and Helena knew he wouldn't back down.

"Thank you," she whispered, burying her face in his chest.

Arthur held her momentarily, letting her cry out pain before pulling away slightly. He wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb, then took a deep breath. "I need to call Jordan Lewis and confront him about this. The truth must come out, and I'll use every resource to ensure it does."

"Be careful," Helena said, her voice still shaky. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

"Nothing will happen to me, I promise." Arthur pressed a tender kiss to her lips before picking up the phone and dialing Jordan Lewis's number.

As Helena listened to the conversation unfold, she knew that Arthur would move heaven and earth to clear her name. It terrified her to see how far the Lewises were willing to go for their vendetta, but it also filled her with a sense of gratitude and love for Arthur, who stood by her side without hesitation.

Arthur sat in the corner of the upscale café, the soft jazz music and chattering voices fading into the background as he waited for Jordan Lewis to arrive. He dared to let him wait after everything he did to his beloved Helena. Jordan and the rest of the Lewises would pay the damage even more.

He couldn't help but replay Helena's tearful face in his mind, her heartbreak evident as she had discovered the damage inflicted upon her reputation by the Lewises.

"Arthur," a voice pulled him from his thoughts. Jordan Lewis approached, looking polished in an expensive suit that matched his arrogant demeanor. "I was surprised by your call."

"Take a seat, Jordan," Arthur commanded. "We need to discuss what you and Lauren have done to Helena." Arthur's voice was firm, his eyes fixed on Jordan with an intensity that seemed to take the older man aback.

Jordan chuckled nervously as he settled into the plush chair across from Arthur. "What is there to talk about, Arthur? We're only trying to protect you from that woman. She's no good for you; I mean, look at what happened to our Israel."

"Helena has nothing to do with Israel's death, and you know it." Arthur's voice was ice-cold, his anger barely held in check. "You're ruining her life to satisfy your twisted sense of revenge."

"Arthur, listen to me," Jordan said, leaning forward and attempting to sound sympathetic. "We did this for you. You deserve better than some ordinary author. What value could she possibly bring to Hendricks Earthwise Consortium?"

"Value?" Arthur scoffed, disgusted by Jordan's shallow perspective. "Helena means more to me than any business deal or financial gain. And if you think attacking her will make me grateful, you're sorely mistaken."

"Arthur, we had a deal," Jordan reminded him, his voice desperate. "You agreed to merge our businesses; in return, we would leave Helena alone."

"And look what you just did now? Have you seen the headlines? Yesterday was one of the happiest days for us because of her book launch, and today would be another celebration. Helena was waiting for better headlines, but you ruined it for her," Arthur said sternly. His eyes filled with anger.

"Arthur, me and your father, Robert, have been good friends since we were young, and you are like a son to me," Jordan said sympathetically.

"That's not how I feel, Jordan," Arthur retorted. "If you're trying to guilt trip me, so I would let you go in this shit you made; you're mistaken. I've held on to your mess long enough."

"What do you mean, Arthur?" Jordan appeared clueless, but Arthur knew he was not.

"Do you think I would never find out about the rumors you made about me and Pamela? Well, it's not just you, right? All of you, Lauren, and Pamela are involved."

"Arthur, it's not what you think it is."

"Stop talking shit, Jordan. I've had enough of all your schemes. You even had a conniving plan with Alicia, but look at her now; she's in prison. Did you and Lauren once visit her in jail?"

"Oh, Alicia. We don't want to be associated with your mother anymore, Arthur. I hope you understand."

"See? You don't treat people as family and you dared to tell me you see me as your son. I don't give a damn if you visit Alicia or not. My point is you only see people as a friend if you benefit from them."

"It's not like that Arthur. We are family," Jordan dared to say again, which made Arthur angrier even more. "As a family we face trouble, but we fixed it together, didn't we?"

"The time I respected you as Robert's friend has ended. Robert is gone, and he won't be here to come and save you. It's me, Arthur Hendricks, who will make you pay for all the damage done to me and Helena."

"Please stick to our agreement in the memory of our family's friendship." Jordan knows they are under the mercy of the Hendricks Earthwise Consortium and they would be in trouble if Arthur decides to cut the business merger.

"Your words mean nothing to me now," Arthur spat, standing up abruptly, his chair screeching against the marble floor. "You broke our agreement the moment you targeted Helena. I won't let anyone hurt her."

"Arthur, please, think about what you're doing," Jordan pleaded, but Arthur was already walking away.

"Prepare for the end of our business merger, Jordan," Arthur said coldly, not bothering to look back. "And be ready to face the consequences of your actions."

As he exited the café, Arthur's mind raced with thoughts of protecting Helena and clearing her name. He knew the battle ahead would be difficult, but it was a fight he was determined to see through to the end. For love, for justice, for Helena.