Sebastian's POVI arrived at Nikolai's mansion, my fury building with each step. As I attempted to enter his mansion, I was stopped by his men who stood guard."The boss doesn't wish to see anyone at the moment," one of them uttered."Really? The boss? You're kidding me, right? You do know who I am, right?" I retorted, irritated by their audacity."We know, Mr. Hawthorne, but our boss's orders are as follows. I would advise you to call him before we can allow you inside," the man stated, his loyalty to Nikolai unwavering."Is this a joke? Who the hell does your boss think he is? I'm in a worse mess than I had been, all because of that bastard!" I fumed, my patience wearing thin."Control yourself, Mr. Hawthorne. We don't want to use force," the other uttered, his hand reaching for his pistol, placed at the edge of his trousers.I couldn't turn back now; I was here to teach Nikolai a lesson. If I wanted to enter and catch a glimpse of him, I had to act wisely, especially with his men a
Arriving at the location, my eyes scanned the area. My only hope was that Darius was tagging along. Putting all my hope in him felt absurd, but there was no turning back now.I heard footsteps echoing, growing louder with each step.It was Gregor, finally arriving with a few of his men at his side. Our gazes locked.I finally caught a glimpse of that bastard after so many years. A reminder of the past few weeks struck me—the fact that I wanted him at my mercy, to pay for all he had caused me. But now, being this close, I couldn't make him pay. The situation was against me; I was surrounded by his men."Long time, Mr. Hawthorne," Gregor broke through the lingering silence. Our eyes remained fixed in a daring gaze."Where is she, Gregor? Where is Scarlet?" I questioned. The fact stood that I couldn't kill him—not now, at least. I just had to wait for Darius to get a clean shot and silence him. But before that happened, I needed answers. I needed him to reveal Scarlet's location before I
Scarlet's POVMy head felt dizzy, my body giving off a weak scent. I couldn't deny my rumbling stomach. I had refused to accept the food they had offered me; they wanted me dead, so who knew, they could have possibly had it laced with poison.I managed a glimpse, gently opening my eyes. Standing at my side were still the same two men. I couldn't forget the muscular one—Kane, wasn't it? His grip still left a numb pain on my neck.My mind still couldn't accept the fact that I would be dead once Sebastian showed up. "How could this be happening?" I uttered, my voice barely a whisper, but it seemed to catch the attention of the men positioned at my side. Their eyes flickered at me before returning, but his eyes remained fixed on me, the same guy who had mocked my weak state."How was your nap?" he said, pretending to care. "Your face looks pale. You should have really eaten back then—you would surely need the strength."I hated it—his eyes mocking my despair. "I—I won't eat anything you b
The whole area echoed with gunshots, followed by each moan of pain. One of the men grasped Sebastian, who was in an unconscious state, helping him up. I felt a grip on me as well; it was the scarred man."Let's go. We have to leave now," he uttered as he gripped my hand, leading me through the hallway as we ran for it.I tried to maintain our speed, but my weak state made it difficult. My vision was blurry, and my footsteps echoed haphazardly. Guns pointed ahead were silenced as bodies dropped to the ground, blood gushing out. I wanted to shut my eyes—it was hard to take in the gruesome sight. But I couldn't give up; I had to keep going, denying my body's weakness.As we made our way through, we finally arrived outside the building. The clear, bright sun left a piercing beam, causing me to shut my eyes a bit, having been in the dark for a while. They led me into a vehicle parked on the side as we hurriedly entered with gunshots still piercing the air."Let's go. Move it," the scarred
Sebastian's POV"Come on, show me what you've got, huh, punk?" Laughter and mockery filled the air as their legs kept smashing into me, hitting me right in the stomach."Let me go, leave me alone," I uttered, but it seemed like my pleas fell on deaf ears. They continued to hit me relentlessly."Who the heck do you think you are, punk? Yeah, your father may be rich as fuck, but how dare you, you little brat, try and stand up to us?"Should I say they were angry, or should I say they were just jealous of the fact that I came from a wealthy family? They saw fit to inflict their anger on me, the only way they saw to get to me. Every day became a living hell, but I fought through it. I did try to stand my ground, but I crumbled in the end. Still, I didn't give up.Gunshots pierced the air, followed by the moans of pain increasing. Everything went dark.I was alone, blood dripping from my body."Stop," whispers escaped my lips."Stop," another followed."Just stop!" I uttered, only to be me
"How is this possible? I thought you were dead," I questioned Darius, still in disbelief."Well, I was, boss. Thankfully, I was wearing a bulletproof vest, so I only got bruised a little. I'm sorry that I arrived late, and they had already gotten to you hard," he apologized."No, Darius, it's okay. I really thought you were gone, and I own it to you for keeping your word and not failing me," I admitted."That's just my duty to you, boss. You don't need to thank me. I was the reason this all happened in the first place. I should have controlled and stopped Nikolai from harming Gregor's son. Maybe if I had managed to get that done, you wouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. I'm really sorry, boss, for my mistakes—grave mistakes, which I made. I can only promise that no further mistakes will be made on the way," he confessed.Truthfully, I couldn't have been happier that he was alive. I admit I was initially angry, but he was my best man, and losing your best man isn't
Scarlet's POV Leaving the mansion, I parked my car on the side of the street, trying to catch my breath. My head still ached, and the wounds on my neck hadn't fully healed. I wanted to question Sebastian about what was going on, hoping to find answers to all my questions. I had gotten involved in his world and was almost killed in the process. The least he could do was tell me what was happening and why that man was after him.Did Sebastian really kill his son? And if so, was Sebastian in the wrong? Each question left a suffocating ache in my head. I just wanted everything to go away. Why did it feel like things had to take a turn for me each day? I wanted out of his world, but it seemed I was already entangled in it somehow.Why come after me when they all held grudges against Sebastian? Of course, I was his wife in the eyes of the world, so it made sense for them to target me as a way to get to him. Now my life was at risk because of things I had no knowledge of.I wrapped my hands
After consoling Sebastian's mother, I led her outside the restaurant to her car. I watched as she entered, wiping her tears before starting the engine and driving off. This meeting hadn't brought me any closer to the answers I sought.I made my way back to my car and started the engine, driving without a destination in mind. It seemed I had no choice but to ask Sebastian directly about his alleged criminal activities and the true profession he had kept hidden beneath his businessman persona. But I knew it wouldn't be easy to get answers from him.After driving for a while, I decided to park at my mom's house. I had wanted to check on her before I was kidnapped. I had no idea how she was doing. As I stepped out of the car, I caught sight of Evelyn exiting the building, followed by Tristan – the same guy who had apologized to me, claiming it was all a mistake. Here he was with Evelyn, and I watched as the two shared a warm embrace before turning and walking away together.I approached m
I rushed into my room, my hands grasping onto my phone as I dialed up Darius's number, which persisted in ringing for a while before he finally picked up."Boss, are you alright, boss?" I heard his voice come through, a tensed and scared tone that my ears could grasp."What's happening, Darius? I just saw the news now?" I questioned, totally confused as to what was taking place. First, I was kidnapped by some men who I had little idea about, claiming their boss sent them, and now this news also of my men dead."I can't discuss it all on the phone, boss," he said.Something was fishy, just as I had suspected, and it seemed Darius knew more about this than I did. "Alright, Darius, let's meet up at the warehouse. I'm on my way now," I said."Alright, boss, please do be careful," Darius said before hanging up the call.It seems another new enemy has sprung out of their hole, and now I had to get my hands messy again. With all this, at least they didn't scheme and try to take my business d
My eyes flickered as they sprang open, gazing at my constrained state. My hands were tied against a chair as I found myself in an unfamiliar building. I had no idea where I was."Seems you're awake," a voice caught my attention, and I turned to see the same guy who had attacked me at the club approaching, bending a little."How are you feeling there?" he mocked. Really, I wanted to rip his jaws out, but damn, I was tied up. Whoever they thought they were, how dare they kidnap me and tie me down?"If you want money, then say it," I said, my gaze fixed on him, hoping to negotiate my way out of this. Once I was finally free from their grip, I would make them all pay and hunt them down. They dared hit me; I would make them beg for their lives."You still don't get what's going on yet, do you?" he uttered, as my eyes narrowed with my brow raising. "What are you saying? You don't have to beat around the bush. Just name the amount you want, and let's get this over with.""I don't need your m
Sebastian's POVI made my way out of the mansion, erupting in rage as I entered my car and drove off at that instant. How dare she? Why doesn't she just get it? Why doesn't she understand when I tell her to stay away? She speaks as though she knows what that woman did, how she made my every day a nightmare.The last thing I would ever want was to set my eyes on her again...I parked my car at a club as I entered, walking straight to the bartender. "Whiskey," I croaked as he poured me a drink. I gulped it in a swift motion, filling up another glass and downing that as well.The drink did little in calming me down, and neither did the music. I made my way to a seat, watching the display of dances from some of the ladies working in the club. Then, my eyes caught sight of one approaching me, sitting down near me. "Hi, wanna have some fun?" she whispered in my ear."I'm not in the mood," I said, giving her a furrowed brow. I wasn't here to make a night of desires. I was just here, hoping t
I led Sebastian's mother outside the church, and as we approached my car, I noticed Kaiden awaiting my presence. His eyes were fixed on Sebastian's mother, trying to guess who she was."She will be coming with us, Kaiden," I uttered."Wait, back to the mansion?" Kaiden asked, seemingly surprised."Where else would it be?" I said with a furrowed brow, prompting him to give a nod.I helped Sebastian's mother into the back seat before joining her. Kaiden started the car engine and began driving away from the church. The sun had already set. Upon arriving back at the mansion in the late night, I helped Sebastian's mother out and noticed Kaiden's gaze still fixed on her."What are you still waiting for?" I questioned, snapping him out of his trance-like state. "Oh, won't you be going out again, ma'am?"Honestly, what was wrong with him? After a long stressful day, why would I think of going out again? And anyway, I had made sure to attend to all my plans I had set for today."No, Kaiden, y
What was she doing here?"Mam, let's go…" Kaiden snapped. "I have to check on something first." I said, leaving no further response to him as I made my way through the streets, eventually entering the building. With my eyes slowly scanning each side, I searched for Sebastian's mother. Then I caught her seated in the front seat, her hands cradled together. As I approached her, I noticed her shut eyes."Please God, I know I don't deserve a second chance, but please, just please let him see me as his mother. Let him look at me once again with love pouring out of his eyes. All I ask is just for a second chance, a second chance to correct all my wrong doings and make things right." She kept mumbling, her tears flowing out with a cracked sobber tone."Why are you here, Mam? Why did you have to leave in such haste?" Kaiden's words came in a whisper, but those whispers seemed to cause Sebastian's mother's eyes to spring open slowly as they landed on me."Scarlet?" She uttered, her very expres
Scarlet's POVAfter the detective left, I gently stood up and made my way out, my eyes landing on Kaiden standing outside, awaiting my presence."Are you set to go, ma'am?" he questioned."Yes, Kaiden, let's go," I said, entering the passenger seat as he entered the front seat.I felt less bothered by his presence; I could let things slide for now. I had my aims and plans to see through."Where are we going now, ma'am?" Kaiden's voice came through.Since everything was set and my plan to uncover Evelyn's intentions was underway, my only thought was visiting my mom."Take us to the city mental asylum, Kaiden," I said."Sorry, ma'am, mental asylum?" he asked."Are you questioning my words? That's the next direction we're heading to. If you have a problem with it, I would surely love to go there myself without you bugging at my side," I said."Alright, ma'am, I will drive now," he said, starting the car engine and driving on, leaving the restaurant behind. Not long after, we arrived at t
The evening hours found me seated, checking through some documents placed on my desk. My attention was grasped by a call later; checking it out, it was Alexander.What could he be calling about?I picked up the call."Are you free tonight, Sebastian?" Alexander uttered."Why?""Just that I missed a friend and wanted to spend some time with him. How about dinner tonight at the restaurant near your office?""You mean the Oakwood Grill restaurant?" I questioned."Yeah, Sebastian."Really, what could it be that he had called and was now asking for a meetup? Friends? I wouldn't say so. I only saw him as a business partner, and he had proved to me how he handles the business well, which impressed me. So, I was simply only impressed by his passion and talent, and I lent a little help. But I guess he took it wrong.I don't have friends; I don't need any. Workers, maybe. Business partners, maybe. But friends? Not really happening.But it doesn't seem like a bad idea to catch up for dinner. And
I needed answers to all my questions, especially why he was with her.My fingers quickly dialed Rafe's number, calling him up. The call persisted, ringing for a few seconds before it was finally picked up."What could be the reason for receiving a call from you, Mr. Hawthorne?" Rafe's voice came through. "Do you need me to find someone for you again, or get some details?""Where are you now, Rafe?" I questioned, going straight to the reason why I had called."What do you mean, Mr. Hawthorne?""A question isn't answered with another, Rafe. Just tell me where you are now.""And why do you wish to know, Mr. Hawthorne? My whereabouts should be the least of your concern, but if you must know, then I strolled out a bit.""Strolled out?" I scoffed."Tell me, Rafe. Why were you with Scarlet today at the restaurant?" I questioned, noticing the silence that echoed after, as I could grasp a slow sigh through the call."It seems the hunter has also been hunted now. Were you spying on me, Mr. Hawt
Sebastian's POV "I am not selling this land for such an amount. You either agree to my price or just leave. I have many other things to attend to," the man uttered.I couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle at his words. I had returned to work today; my wounds weren't fully healed, which was evident, but my resting time had seemed to run its course, and it was high time I got things done, taking my business to the next level.Now, here I found myself discussing with this greedy fool. The project had to begin tomorrow, no matter what, and the land deal had to be finalized today for that to happen. But it seemed that wouldn't be happening anytime soon if I didn't show him his place."Mr. Ambrose, or what was it again?" I asked."Ambrose," he responded as I walked closer to him, placing my hand on his shoulder with a firm yet gentle touch."Whatever. I don't care. I just want you to know that the papers shall be brought to you this evening, and I hope you don't disappoint. Sign them