Chapter 1004: Interview


    ?


    Two Weeks Later


    The vibrant studio of Good Morning With Eric Howell Show buzzed with energy. Cameras swiveled, catching every angle, while a crew of producers and assistants moved efficiently in the background.


    The ss table reflected the bright lights of the set, and seatedfortably on the plush gray couch were Tom and Lucy, both impably dressed, their hands intertwined.


    Tom wore a tailored navy-blue suit that highlighted his sharp features, while Lucy stunned in a white two piece pant suit with a deep neckline.


    Eric Howell, with his trademark grin, leaned forward, excitement radiating from his every word. Beside him sat Alicia, whose warm smile added a touch of grace to the lively atmosphere.


    "Wee back, everyone!" Eric''s voice boomed. "We have a treat for you this morning. Joining us are two of the most talked-about lovebirds in all of Ludus. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm wee to our guests. They''re none other than Thomas Hank, and his very delectable fiancée, Lucinda Perry!"


    Apuse erupted, and Tom gave a small wave while Lucy smiled shyly.


    "Thank you for having us," Tom said, his deep voice calm and confident.


    "It''s such a pleasure to be here," Lucy added, her tone soft.


    Eric leaned back, sping his hands together. "Now, let''s dive right in! Your engagement party was the talk of the city. I mean, it trended for days and has been one of the most searched topics till now. But there''s one thing I still can''t wrap my head around. Did you both really propose at the same time?"


    Tom and Lucy exchanged amused nces before bursting intoughter. "Well," Lucy began, still chuckling, "it''s true. We did."


    "No way!" Alicia eximed, feigning shock. "How does that even happen? Lucy, were you just tired of waiting for Tom to pop the question?"


    Lucy''sughter bubbled again and Tom joined her. "Not exactly! I''d always told Tom I wasn''t interested in marriage or kids. So, when I changed my mind, I thought it would be a fun surprise to pop the question."


    Eric''s eyebrows shot up. "Wait a second. Tom, she told you she didn''t want to get married, and you still proposed? What were you thinking?"


    Tom''s grin widened, and he shrugged yfully. "I was hoping she''d change her mind eventually, and she did."


    "And I did," they said simultaneously andughed as Tom raised her hand to his lips.


    "Talk about optimism!" Eric teased. "But seriously, how did you feel when she proposed back to you?"


    Tom leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with genuine emotion. "You should be asking how I''m still feeling because, honestly, I haven''t gotten over it yet."


    The studio erupted intoughter, including Eric and Alicia. "Wow," Eric said, shaking his head. "You two look so in love."


    "I feel even more in love than I look," Tom said, ncing at Lucy. "She''s the best thing that''s ever happened to me. Absolute best."


    Lucy''s cheeks flushed, but sheughed softly. "The feeling is mutual," she said, her voice brimming with affection.


    Alicia chimed in. "Do you two have ns to get married anytime soon?"


    Tom and Lucy nodded in unison. "We do," Tom confirmed. "And it''ll be sooner than you think," he said with a grin, and Lucy giggled again.


    The hosts exchanged intrigued nces, "Something tells me it is an exclusive ceremony. Well, we hope we get an invitation."


    "Fingers crossed," Alicia said with an hopeful smile while Tom and Lucyughed.


    "Now, Tom, let''s talk business. We know that yourpany has been making great strides. What''s next for I-Global?"


    Tom straightened slightly, his professional demeanor kicking in. "At I-Global, we''re focusing on expanding into emerging markets while strengthening our existing foundations. The goal is to remain innovative and inclusive."


    "Impressive," Alicia said. "And what about you, Lucy? What''s next on your te?"


    Lucy smiled. "I''m working towardsunching my fashion line, so that''s going to be my main focus. I''m also looking forward to my wedding, and spending more time with my family and friends. And-" she paused, her expression turning more serious-"I''m starting a foundation for young women who''ve experienced abuse or trauma. My goal is to help them get the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives."


    Alicia''s expression softened since she understood Lucy''s reason for it. "That''s incredible, Lucy. Truly inspiring."


    "Yes. That''s my Jewel. She''s incredible," Tom said, looking at her with undisguised love and admiration.


    Lucy giggled as she elbowed his side yfully, to remind in that they were on live television. "Thank you," Lucy said to Alicia.


    The interview continued for a while and as the interview wrapped up, Eric stood and extended a hand. "It''s been a pleasure and a honor having you both here. You''re an inspiration to


    many."


    "Thank you for having us," Tom said, shaking Eric''s hand.


    As they stepped out of the studio into the crisp afternoon air, Lucy exhaled deeply. "Well, that''s over. I''ve been dreading this for weeks."


    Tom chuckled. "You were amazing," Tom said and sheughed.


    "It''s hard to take your word for anything cause you believe everything I do is amazing," she said, and Tom chuckled.


    "But it''s the truth. Everything you do is amazing," he said, making her giggle.


    "That''s exactly what I mean. I''ve got to run. The girls are waiting for me. We are having lunch together to discuss our first project for the year."


    Tom raised an eyebrow. "Another meeting? I thought you girls met on Saturday? Today is Tuesday," he said, and she giggled.


    She nodded. "Yes. It''s an impromptu meeting. It won''t take long since it''s work hours. Besides, after now I''m going to be too busy with nning the wedding, you know that."


    "Supervising not nning," Tom corrected, and Lucy rolled her eyes, "I will drop you off," he said, leading her to the car.


    As they drove, Lucy''s phone buzzed with a news notification. She nced at the screen and


    sighed softly.


    "What is it?" Tom asked, ncing her way.


    "It''s about Dawn. Ryan Harris has released a press statement. He says his daughter, Genevieve Harris, is fine now and recovering after her surgeries. He thanked the public for their support and prayers," she said as her eyes skimmed through the page.


    "Did he attach a picture?" Tom asked, and Lucy shook her head.


    "Nah," she said softly.


    Over thest two weeks the family had been unable to get ess to Ryan, and he had gone as


    far as getting a restraining order against them and taking them to court, using the press statement Tom had issued about Dawn not being his daughter as evidence that the Hank family didn''t want Dawn, and were onlying for her now because of what she stood ton/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    inherit.


    They had all decided to not fight it and watch from afar to make sure Dawn was fine and wait until she was old enough to understand the situation and take her ce in the Hank family.


    Tom nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I''m d she''s okay."


    "Me too," Lucy said quietly. "It''s such a relief to hear."


    They exchanged a look of mutual understanding before continuing their journey in


    comfortable silence.


    Tom dropped Lucy off at the lounge where she was supposed to meet with the girl before


    returning to his office.


    As Lucy she stepped through the ss doors of the lounge, she adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder as she scanned the room for the girls.


    She spotted them seated in a cozy corner,ughter and warm conversation already in the air.


    But as she approached, her steps faltered.


    Sitting among them was someone she hadn''t expected to see- Anita.


    Lucy froze for a moment, her heart pounding. The memories of theirst encounters shed


    through her mind like quick snapshots. Her stomach churned, and she swallowed hard before


    finally making her way over.


    "What''s going on here?" Lucy asked, ncing at from Jade to Lisa.


    The chatter around the table died instantly. Anita stood up, her usual confidence was gone, reced by something Lucy had never seen before- uncertainty.


    "I... I didn''t know how to approach or face you, Lucy," Anita began, "I''ve been wanting to apologize, but I didn''t know if you''d even want to hear from me. So, I asked my sisters if I


    coulde along. Please... I''m sorry."


    Lucy stared at her, silent.


    "If you want, I''ll get down on my knees," Anita added quickly, her voice almost breaking. "I


    know I was a bitch. I''ll do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness. I''m truly sorry for everything for all the trouble I caused and for hurting you."


    Before Lucy could respond, Lisa stood up beside Anita, her hands sped in front of her.


    "Lucy," Lisa said gently, "she means it. She''s changed. Please, forgive her. She''s been trying to figure out how to make amends for weeks now."


    Lucy nced at Jade, and she shrugged. Lucy sighed as she faced Anita. "I''ve forgiven you. I did after you released the apology video," Lucy said finally, her voice softer than before. Anita''s shoulders sagged with relief. "Thank you," she whispered, her eyes glistening. She picked up her bag and took a step back, as if preparing to leave.


    But Lucy spoke again. "Wait."


    Anita paused, looking back at her.


    "If you''d like to join us there is a spot for you here too," Lucy said, gesturing to her previously


    upied seat at the table.


    Anita''s eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"


    Lucy nodded. "Yes. If you want to be a part of this like your sisters, you''re wee."


    A small, hesitant smile broke across Anita''s face. "I''d love to," she said softly, "I''d really love


    to."


    "Then sit down," Lucy said with a faint smile of her own. "You''re wee."