"Yes, the illegal kind. The substance was quite a harmful one, which currently has left some of her organs damaged, and her brain cells also, which left her in such a state. We are not sure yet, but we think she might have gotten the addiction side effect as well.""Addiction side effect? Brain damage? Drug overdose? Please, what are you saying, doctor? My mom doesn't take those kinds of drugs, so how is this possible?" My mom hardly smoked or drank, and now I was being informed that she had gotten into drugs. It all sounded absurd to me, knowing that my mom would never involve herself in such things. I knew my dad's death must have traumatized her or left her down, but yet, she couldn't, right?"I know this may be a lot for you to take in, but you have to try. The reports displayed show that it was due to a drug overdose.""Alright, doctor, let's say it's so. But what can we do now? Is my mom ever going to be alright again? Would my mom still be able to recognize me as her daughter o
Sebastian's POV;As my eyes opened, a buzz caused my ears to focus on the doorbell being rung, which persisted for a while before being answered by the maid. I was quite sure it wasn’t Scarlet."He's upstairs in his room," I heard the maid utter, and not long after, I could grasp footsteps approaching as they grew nearer to my door, leaving a creak as my eyes caught sight of Annabel walking in."Annabel?" I questioned, curious as to why she was here. I then remembered I had been absent from the workplace for some days and hadn't been in discussion with her during that period. As she got closer, I noticed a pause in her demeanor, and I watched her expression light up with concern."Boss, what happened to you?" she rushed, growing near and sitting on the bed beside me, her hands unsure where to lay a touch, as half my body was bandaged."It's nothing, Annabel," I said as I tried to sit up on the bed."How did this happen, boss? Who did this?" she continued to press."Let's just say some
I watched Annabel slowly retreat her hands as she stood up from the bed at the very sight of Scarlet."Alright, boss. I'll be going now. Hope you get well soon," she uttered before turning and leaving the room.Scarlet's presence indicated that she was here for something. Could it be that she was finally here for answers?I gently stood up, managing a few steps as I walked toward her. "Where are you coming from?" I questioned.One fact remained: I had no idea where she had gone to, mostly leaving the mansion in her state after the kidnapping incident. It was absurd that after such a situation, she was out again, leaving the mansion. Furthermore, I was still bothered by the question of whether I could trust her."What do you mean?" she said."It's a question, Scarlet. Where are you coming from?""If anyone should be asking questions, I should be the one asking them here, Sebastian. Who were those men back there? And what was the other man saying? Was it true that you killed his son?" s
Scarlet's POVAfter leaving his room, I made my way to the couch and sat down, releasing a heavy sigh.I should have known, but why didn't he want to tell me? I deserved to know the truth. I deserved to know who he truly was, but he insisted on keeping me in the dark.Even though I sought answers to all my questions, his attitude only fueled my anger.I was a victim of his secretive life, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. And yet, he hadn't even apologized for putting me in a life-threatening situation.Instead, he questioned my whereabouts this morning. Gosh! I hated his attitude, his arrogance, all of it.As I sat there, lost in thought, my phone buzzed, capturing my attention. It was a message from Alexander."The company will resume operations tomorrow. All staff members are assigned to return to work for the commencement and proceedings of the project," the message read.It appeared to be a forwarded message sent to all workers.So, I had to resume work tomorrow. It s
"What are you saying, Sebastian? I never requested a bodyguard, so why hire one?" I asked."I don't need to give any answers for my actions. Just bear with him for now as the one who is going to keep track and ensure your safety for the meantime.""My safety?""Yeah," Sebastian said.What was it with him? Since when did he start caring about my safety? Every action of his toward me was based on him and his business.I knew there was more to this, but I would just be left unanswered in the end."I don't need one. I can take care of myself," I uttered, turning to leave."It is not a request, Scarlet. It's an order. He shall stand by your side wherever you go and fulfill his role as your bodyguard." Sebastian said as he left before I could utter any further words."So, ma'am, let's go," my presumed bodyguard said."I don't need a bodyguard. You get that?" I said, leaving a flickered gaze at him before entering my car, hoping to start the engine. I caught sight of him entering the car."W
"Scarlet...?" Aiden uttered, walking closer. As he approached, I gave a halt, raising my hands, my eyes leaving a frown at his mere sight."It's good to have you back here with us, Mr. Aiden," I said, maintaining a cool demeanor."Oh... yeah," he said, retreating a few inches."I hope we can continue the process of the project and ensure its success. I also hope no problems will arise from your side, Mr. Aiden," I stated firmly."Yes, Scarlet..." he said."I won't be repeating myself again, Mr. Aiden. It would be good if you learned to address your superior properly," I reminded him."Oh... alright, Scarl— I mean, Mrs. Scarlet," he corrected himself."Good, Mr. Aiden. Now, I advise you to get on with your duty. The company just resumed, and there's a lot to do now," I instructed."I know. I will also do my—" he started to stammer."That's enough, Mr. Aiden. As it is, you're just wasting my time," I said, hoping to leave."Wait!" he interjected, causing my legs to stop."What is it, Mr
Sebastian's POV After Scarlet left, I returned to my room to rest, only for my phone to buzz, catching my attention. It was a message. Checking it, I noticed it was from Darius, reminding me of his words from last night. I opened the message:"We have Gregor, boss. We've taken him to the warehouse."Those words hit me hard. Finally, I had Gregor within my grasp. Was this really happening? I had longed to have that bastard under my control for so long, and now I had finally got him. I couldn't deny that Darius had made it happen. He was the reason I was finally able to have Gregor at my fingertips."I will be right there, Darius. I want that bastard to remain in your grasp, no matter what," I texted back. Retreating my gaze from my phone, I intended to take the stairs and prepare myself, only to receive a call. It was Darius.I picked it up. "Boss... you're coming?" Darius inquired."What are you saying, Darius? Why wouldn't I make my way there?" I replied, puzzled by his inquiry."I
"Boss?" Darius's voice came through."What, Darius?" I questioned, only for me to gaze at him, pointing in a direction. I turned, witnessing Nikolai standing to one side.So he was here. Leaving Gregor's side, I made my way toward Nikolai, my gaze fixed on him."What are you doing here, Nikolai?""I am sorry, Mr. Hawthorne. I understand now that my actions went overboard back then, and I shouldn't have killed Gregor's son. But I had my reasons," he tried to explain."Still on about that damn reason, Nikolai?" I uttered, cutting him off. "You dare show up here after all you've done? I don't care a shit if you helped out in my rescue—I ended up there because of your betrayal in the first place! And you are here, spouting the same thing about having your reasons. Why don't you repeat that in the afterlife?" I said, drawing out a gun from one of my men beside me and pointing it at Nikolai, my fingertip close to pulling the trigger.I watched his men lift up their guns, pointing them at me
Loud gunshots echoed through the room as blood trickled. My eyes sprang open, only to realize it was all just a dream, as the rays of the sun that gleamed through the window caused my eyes to shut again. I tried removing my gaze from the blinding light, only to catch sight of Sebastian sitting on the bed near me."Are you—" he said, but in a blink, I found myself on him, my hands wrapped around him as I let out a sigh.I was trying to catch my words as they hoped to escape, remembering last night's incident with Kaiden almost shot and me almost killed.But wait, how did I end up here, then? The last thing I could remember was trying to run. As my gaze caught sight of Kaiden bleeding even more, I ran, going deeper into the forest...What happened next? I had no idea what took place next.I released my hands, retreating a bit as my gaze raised to meet Sebastian's."Are you alright?" he questioned, helping me back as I laid my head, resting back on the bed."What happened last night, Seb
"What happened, boss?" Darius asked, walking up to me as I returned my phone to my trousers. "I will kill them all. I will make sure I rip him from limb to limb.""Boss?""Get the vehicles ready, Darius. It seems we need to attend to some things," I said, my gaze returning to Nikolai, who remained there, his eyes fixed on mine. "I don't care who he is, Nikolai. I shall have his head, and I hope you help me get his location. That's all I need from you." I made my way out of the warehouse, entered my car, and drove off with a few of my men and Darius trailing me.Many thoughts swirled in my mind as I tried processing the situation. I could only hope they would hold up until I arrived there. Whoever this mystery Don is, I will make him pay. How dare he play such tricks? Really, I need to take care of every single one of them who lurks in the shadows, labeled as my enemy, plotting against me.Not long after, I arrived at the location Scarlet had dropped. Stepping out of my car with a few
"No!" I exclaimed.What was happening? Who was that stranger?Before I could make proper sense of what was unfolding before me, my eyes caught sight of the stranger approaching me with the pointed dagger. My mind could only scream one word, 'Run!' I stood up, hoping to flee, but my legs felt like jelly as I stumbled back onto the ground, my hands brushing against the dirt.I turned my gaze, watching the stranger getting closer with every inch."No, stay away, stay away," I muttered, trying to get on my feet to escape.It felt like a hit on my back as an excruciating pain tore through me."And where do you think you're going?" I heard the stranger utter. His grasp tightened on my neck, slamming me against the wall with his dagger poised, ready to drive deep into my flesh.Really, this couldn't be it; I couldn't die, not now. Mom still needed me; I wanted to see her get better, and I wanted to make Evelyn pay. But now it seemed like all my plans had been cut short, and here I was, facin
Scarlet's POV"And look who we have here?" My eyes landed on Evelyn walking up to my side. I wasn't surprised to run into her here."How may I be of help to my stepsister, or does she miss her father's restaurant so much that she came back running? Don't worry, I can be sure to hire you as the dishwasher, maybe. At least we are family," she said.I felt like strangling that witch. Her mere presence only seemed to ignite more anger within me. But I couldn't let go of what I had just learned from the detective—she had plotted my parents' death. I needed answers as to why she did that. I mean, the property was already hers, so why did she do that? I wanted to force her to spill it all out and then send her to jail afterward to rot for all her crimes.But now, knowing she had gone to such lengths to kill, I was sure that she was behind my mother's predicament. I was certain she was behind every single bit of it. And even knowing so much, all I could do was put on a fake act.I didn't want
Sebastian's POVArriving at the warehouse, I stepped out of my car, greeted by my men stationed outside. There were more of them than usual, with some stationed on the roof, their eyes scanning each and every nook. I was sure this was not something to take lightly.Whoever this new enemy was, I would make sure to bring him down."Boss, you're here?" My eyes landed on Darius approaching me in haste. "I am happy to see you are..." His voice trailed off as I could only wonder why, only to remember my half-beaten state."What happened, boss? Don't tell me they got to you also," Darius questioned."Just tell me, Darius. Who are these people, and what do they want with us? Why are they doing this, and mostly, I want to know who their boss is," I questioned, hoping to get straight to the point."I wish to know as well, boss," Darius replied simply, as his words left a stun."What do you mean, you don't know who they are?" I asked, my brow furrowed. "No, boss.""What do you mean, Darius? You
"How much do you know about your sister?" he questioned.My eyes narrowed, and I felt a slight twitch in my jaw. "Stepsister," I corrected, my tone crisp.Really, I cared less about what she was up to. Why would I? But given all that had been occurring lately, I had no choice but to dig in and find out what she was plotting. He had called me up here, claiming to give me some information, but instead, he was here asking me these silly questions."Get to the point. I thought you were the one blubbering about not liking to waste time. Just tell me what you called me here for. Have you found out some new information regarding Evelyn?" I questioned, looking at the relaxed presence of him as he rested his back against the chair, leaning with his eyes glaring. All he left was a silent response."Well, after digging further and trying to patch up your stepsister's dealing with the guy charged with assault, I learned he carried out a job for her.""A job? What job? What job did he carry out?"
[Scarlet's POV]Returning back into the room, I saw no sight of Sebastian. Really, where did he suddenly go? Did he leave? I left the room after, walking down the stairs, and then my eyes caught sight of the maid."Did Sebastian leave the house?" I questioned, and she nodded yes.Really, he had left the mansion. Could anything be so important for him to leave in such a condition? I could only hope he wasn't another thing I would end up getting involved in.He had returned home with bruises today. A part of me wanted to ask questions, but why bother when, in the end, he would cut me off as usual?I had no choice but to treat his wounds because of the frantic state his mother was in after seeing his condition. I had to make sure he was alright, but he wouldn't allow her to come any closer.Today was the weekend, a day I hoped to spend in utmost relaxation, just trying to calm my mind of everything, but new problems seemed to be arising. I couldn't get my head around what the detective s
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