The next morning, Bethany joins them down at breakfast, a bit disgruntled. "You two are so against me. Why would you two make breakfast?"Arthur looks up while taking off the apron. "What breakfast?"Bethany cocks her head to the side. "Really?" She shakes her head in the direction of the apron that he only just discarded."Oh that? I was just helping to cut veggies."Martha rolls her eyes. "Fine then, if you're angry with being left out, help us set the table.""Finally, something to do."Martha and Arthur watch her go."She still hasn't gotten over feeling responsible for everything and every work that should be done?""I think that one will take a while. The first week of us living together, she woke up four am every morning without fail. She'd go cleaning, washing, mopping, makes breakfast and then I'll wake up to see all of that. I have staff to do all those things but she did it without fail.""Wow. That's as a result of...""When you do that for two to three years, it's bound t
The late morning brings Bethany into the office, drove in by Arthur's car.He kisses her on the forehead before sending her off. "I don't know why you all like to do that.""The meaning behind a kiss on the forehead is... I'll tell you some other time. Go on in."She groans lightly and gets off. She stops and raises her hand with the intention to wave but then, she stops herself and just sends him off with a smile of her own.She turns around and looks up and down at the building once again, still a little bit feeling like a dream to her. She walks to the doors and pushes it open.The few employees loitering about or going about their business notice her and do small bows immediately.Bethany musters a smile for them and takes the elevator up, simple and not announcing her presence so a bunch of well built security men will accompany her up.Nope.The doors to the elevator opens and closes just as Jade exits her office through the glass double doors."Ma'am." Her eyes light up ever s
John Worth arrives at his home, leaving the chauffeur to handle all the mountain of bags that are buried in the trunk. As he walks up the patio steps, he glances back to see the middle aged man reeling under the bags and just turns away to enter the house, completely looking over him.Daisy is waiting in the living room already. She might have been there all night, waiting.John struggles not to sigha and roll his eyes but he draws closer to her and kisses her on the cheeks. "Good afternoon honey. Why are you here?""Where else would I be?" She retorts, searching his face."Well, you know that is not what I meant. Why are you up this early?""Where were you all night? I had so many things to tell you but you just disappeared and did not pick all of your calls all night. Do you think that is fair? Can't I just go out too and disappear for the whole night? Bye because I am catering for your daughter, you think you can just waltz in and out of here and come back whenever you like? I tota
Alexa drives from Platonic to the Worth family house. She had been there about two to three times before, although not long visits.The first was when Charles had taken her there to announce that he loves her and will be marrying her in secret, second had been on their honeymoon.She had spent her honeymoon with a married man who had another woman waiting for him at home that night, in the man's family house.In hindsight, Alexa is regretting her decisions already but she's not going to admit it just yet. Their home is a bit far from her former location but since it sounded a bit urgent on the phone, she decided to drive there immediately.On arrival, the gates are opened for her and she drives in. She makes her way to the door and knocks.A maid opens the door for her and the girl greets her politely before walking off to the side she's come to know as the way to the large kitchen.Alexa walks to the living room herself where she sees Daisy in the middle of the room, swamped by boxes
Over dinner that night, Bethany lays in front of the duo two plates, both filled with Chinese fried rice on one side and a tomato sauce on the other. She drops the first two and goes to pick up the other two, putting them in front of herself.Arthur inhales and closes his eyes. "These smell so good. I'm pretty sure I can't measure up to you."Bethany chuckles. "Don't worry your head about that, you can't. So don't bother trying. I'll just manage to live by the one you cook."Arthur laughs. "So you can be a little self absorbed too? Hats off."She chuckles. "Please eat."After a while of eating and silence, Arthur breaks the silence. "So... How was work today?"Bethany looks up and chuckles. "It was fun?""Fun? Is work supposed to be fun? I'm pretty sure my employees are not calling their work fun outside."Bethany laughs. "You're quite the boss. I can tell you're the type they won't invite to weddings or dinners because they are scared you'll reduce their pay."Arthur laughs, setting
The officer rudely pushes Charles into the large station and then into a chair in front of him.He removes his jacket and drapes it behind his chair before sitting down. He turns on the computer in front of him and looks at Charles who is momentarily distracted by the hubbub of activities going on."Hey Mr, look here." The officer calls him, slamming a book on the table to grab his attention. "What's your name?""Charles. Charles Worth.""What's the name of the man you had been beating?""Anthony Moore."The officer types it down. "So, what were you doing at Platonic?""We have a small hangout. We were on the same football team in college so it was like a small get together.""So, what happened? Why did you beat him unconscious?"Charles grits his teeth, massaging his wrists from the ache, noting the dried blood on his fists. "Well?""He made a comment about my wife... Hell, ex wife."The officer glances up at him and then looks back down, typing away on the computer what Charles is
After the hour long plane ride, the plane lands on top of a tall and really high up building.Arthur holds Bethany firmly by the waist almost as though he's worried that the enormous fan blades, coupled with the heavy wind up there will sweep her away and over the edge.And until they descend into the building, he does not leave her alone.One is worried about the other, while the other is... Well, having fun."Come on." He takes her hand, and leads her to the elevator. There, he presses the ground floor button and the elevator slowly begins the ride down."So, this is my company.""What's the name?""I'll show you outside. You might have even heard of it. Your husband is a really rich man though." He winks at her and she laughs, her mind befuddled.She really knew nothing about him. He had a big company, all that he had said when they had first sat down to talk to one another. That's when he had told her that he's Daisy's younger brother and there are a few years between them and all
"So... This is the lobby." Arthur says, spreading his arms out both ways and standing in front of her, but walking backwards. "Even I see that." Bethany comments, her mind still a bit muddled but she's struggling to push the invading thoughts to the back of her mind. "Ah, I see. This is not where the fun is? Come on, I'll take you up to my office." He takes her hand and walks her to another side of the lobby's large reception area. "Where are we going? That's the elevator right there?" Arthur smiles. "Come on, it's such a big place, do you think I take the same elevator as my employees?" He brags just as they round the corner to see the lone elevator there. Bethany smirks. "Such a proud boss, I'm pretty sure your employees don't see your face around." Arthur shrugs. "You can't blame me for that when I've got a private plane, considering I have to commute about two hours everyday, I do my work and head out. It's simple, they don't have to see me to do their work, right?" "Obnoxio
The sun was barely up in the sky when Arthur pulled into the lot outside the station. The sky was overcast, painted with streaks of gray, as if the clouds themselves knew what kind of day it was going to be...Other than that, it looked like a really gloomy day.No one said a word as the car slowed to a stop outside the police station.Quinn was the first to move, opening the door and stepping out, her face pale but unreadable. Daisy followed, then Bethany, and finally Arthur, locking the car behind them. They walked together, a tight line of four, but it didn’t feel united, not with everything that hung in the air.Daisy had woken up to the phone call from Marsh saying that John would be transported from the holding cell at the police station to the penitentiary where he would stay until his trial ends, that will decide whether he’ll continue to stay there or otherwise.Detective Marsh was already waiting at the entrance, his hands shoved into the pockets of his coat. He gave a small
Red and blue lights painted the darkened club exterior in flashing bursts as police officers stormed through the entrance. As always, whenever there is the sound of even the slightest movements of the police within a club’s surroundings, there is an unheard hush that goes through the crowd…In this case, especially the long line outside waiting to be admitted into the building.A group of onlookers had gathered just outside as well, murmuring in hushed voices, their curiosity piqued by the commotion of the police vehicles. The club's music still thumped through the walls, seemingly oblivious to the chaos unraveling outside.Bethany stood beside Daisy and Quinn, breathless, her heart still hammering from the near disaster she had narrowly escaped, although a bit calm now compared to when her back had been against the wall with slicked back’s hands to her neck.Arthur stood beside them, his jaw locked, his fury simmering just beneath the surface.She knows that a part of his anger is at
Detective Marsh strides into the station with an unmistakable swagger in his steps, whistling a low tune under his breath. His leather jacket swings slightly as he walks, his confidence practically radiating off him. The morning sun filters through the windows, casting a sharp glow across the room.He does look like he has achieved something… He really has. Even though he looks nothing like he slept all night, his smile is still unfaltering.He did not catch a wink of sleep but he has some business here at work today.With John Worth.At the coffee vending machine, Detective Halloway eyes him with suspicion as he stirs his coffee. He raises a brow and takes a slow sip before asking, “Alright, what’s with the strut? You win the lottery or something?”Marsh chuckles and shakes his head. “Better. You’ll see, come along.”Halloway sighs, dumping his half full cup into the trash before following his partner down the hall. “I swear to God, if this is another one of your dramatic reveals, I…
Bethany reaches the door, her heart slamming against her ribs. She twists the knob…Nothing.She tries again, this time pulling harder.Locked.Panic surges through her, but she tamps it down. She’s not trapped. She won’t be trapped.The room goes silent behind her.She slowly turns.The men are no longer laughing. They’re staring at her, their drunken haze lifting as realization sets in."You’re not drunk, you don’t look drunk at all." one of them says, his voice low and dangerous.Bethany forces out a nervous giggle. "W-What are you talking about?"Slicked-Back steps forward, his face darkening. "You set us up, didn’t you? You little vixen."Bethany doesn’t hesitate. She yanks her phone from her clutch and shouts into it…"Call Officer Reynold now, Daisy!"Then, she hangs up.A deadly silence follows.All four men straighten, their expressions shifting from confusion to cold calculation."You little bitch," one of them hisses.Bethany backs against the door, gripping her phone tight
Bethany steps through the doorway, her heels clicking softly against the hardwood floor. The room is dimly lit, thick with the scent of expensive cologne and alcohol, the mini strobe lights just make the sense of thick drugs in the air only increase, and she already has a headache.The moment she enters, four pairs of male eyes snap up to her, taking in her appearance with a mixture of curiosity and predatory amusement.She lets her gaze drift lazily from one man to the next, feigning a slightly dazed expression. Then, as if just realizing something, she presses her fingers to her lips and lets out a soft giggle."Umm... I was told someone was looking for me?" Her voice is intentionally high-pitched, flirty, tinged with just the right amount of uncertainty and girlishness.Mostly with the naivety they are looking for.One of the men, a tall, broad-shouldered guy with slicked-back hair and an eager smile, immediately rises from his seat. His dark eyes roam shamelessly over her body, an
Quinn, sensing Daisy’s hesitation, chimes in, “Honestly, Mum, if anyone can pull this off, it’s Bethany. You should see the transformation she did on me back then when I had to go to a party. I went from ‘meh’ to ‘wow’ in ten minutes.”Daisy smiles a little wider. “Fine. I trust you, Bethany. But if I end up looking like a clown...”Bethany waves her off. “Don’t even joke about that. I’m a professional.”After a few more minutes of meticulous work, Bethany steps back, a satisfied grin on her face. “There! Now, behold the new and improved Daisy Worth.”Daisy hesitates for a moment before turning to face the mirror. When she sees her reflection, her eyes widen in surprise. The woman staring back at her is almost unrecognizable. Her eyes are smokey and bold, her lips a deep crimson that compliments her complexion. Her hair, now styled in soft waves, frames her face perfectly.She looks nothing like the forty year old woman she is.“Wow...” Daisy breathes, reaching up to touch her cheek.
Bethany picks up Daisy’s phone from the coffee table, her heart racing. The caller ID reads “Quinn’s Case’s Officer.”Without overthinking it, she redials the number, already planning her next move. She needs to know what the officer has to say, but she doesn’t want to wake Daisy. As the phone rings, Bethany pinches her nose with one hand, slightly distorting her voice to make it less recognizable.The worldwide method of changing voices, hopefully, it works."Hello?" The officer's voice comes through, gruff but alert. "Who's this?"Bethany clears her throat, forcing herself to sound casual. “Hi Officer Reynolds, it’s Daisy Worth. Sorry, my voice is a little off, I just woke up. My sister in law told me you called and wanted to speak to me?”The officer hesitates. “You sound strange. Everything alright?”Bethany’s pulse quickens, hoping that he does not catch on, but she forces a small laugh. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just groggy. It's been a long day."After another moment of silence, the off
The evening sun casts a warm glow over the smaller sized living room as Bethany watches Martha crocheting opposite her. The house is quiet, filled with the soft sounds of yarn sliding between fingers and the occasional clink of the teacups beside them.She is currently learning how to crochet and how crocheting, according to Martha, is a way of life of elderly people which they were laughing about just a few minutes before. It’s a peaceful moment, one that Bethany savors, until her phone vibrates against the armrest.She glances down at the screen and frowns.It’s Daisy.“Strange,” she murmurs to herself. They’d just seen Daisy the day before, so this early evening call feels odd. Without hesitation, she excuses herself from the room, stepping into the hallway before answering.“Hello? Daisy? Is everything alright?” Bethany asks, her voice steady but tinged with concern.For a moment, all she hears is sniffling, soft and shaky. “Daisy?” Bethany repeats, a bit louder, and worried this
Silence swallowed the room whole, thick and suffocating… and bare.It was the kind of silence that came before the realization of something irreversible, something that can’t be taken back.John sat frozen, the weight of his crimes pressing down on him like an ocean tide. His breathing was shallow, erratic, his eyes darting between Daisy and Marsh. For the first time since his detention, it looked as if the reality of his situation had truly settled into his bones. He had managed to let his hope live somehow by believing that he did not kill Sienna and that with proper investigation, he would be released but now…That hope has shattered, never to be pieced together anymore.Daisy’s confession echoed in the room, refusing to be ignored.“She told me that John killed her mother. That he pushed her, Anita, off the bridge back at their hometown, into the water."Marsh let the words settle, savoring the sheer destruction playing out on John’s face. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed,