Donald and Axel sat together, whispering in low tones. Claire didn't have any interest in their conversation. All she wanted to do was sit and stare at the wall for the rest of the flight. When the pilot announced it was time for touchdown, she sat up and packed her bag."I'm not looking forward to going home."Donald shrugged. "Then don't. I'm sure we can find a place for you to stay in the penthouse."He sent a quick glance at Axel and Axel nodded. Claire sighed."Just as long as I get a bed to sleep."They had to strap in for touchdown. It was 5am, New York time, and Donald had a car waiting for them. It didn't take long to get to the penthouse. Claire was feeling sleepy, but the sleep fled as soon as they entered the building. "You guys live here?!"It was exquisite. There was no other way to describe the marble covered floors and gold plated walls and chandelier. The stairs and elevator shone with some expensive stone Claire had only seen on television.Her mouth dropped open at
Claire was swimming in a pool of blood. Pain shot through her waist constantly, and she couldn't move. She looked around and all she could see was snow. She shivered with the cold. How had she even gotten here? She tried to move her arms, but they had turned to ice. In fact, her entire body had become one big block of ice.She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. From far off, she heard voices she knew she should recognize, but she couldn't see anything."Her fever is too high. We might need to call in the doctor.""Send for him. Tell him to get here on the double."A cool hand touched her forehead and she winced slightly. She was sure she had a cut there somewhere, but how had she gotten it? She sighed and tried to open her eyes. The snow disappeared gradually, and her field of vision was covered with a face."Axel?"He was staring at her, his lips turned down. "Why do you always make me worry, Sugar?"She tried to sit up, but pain shot through her lower abdomen and she
Claire felt her heart start pounding in her chest when she saw who was at the head of the crowd. Lisa sneered at her as the three of them drew closer. The staff took out their phones and had their cameras out to video the whole thing."You are very shameless, Claire, to come back here."Claire looked around. The faces of every single one in the lobby were filled with hatred and disgust. She felt her heart drop to somewhere in her stomach."What are you talking about?" She whispered to Lisa.Lisa gave her a look that promised vengeance."I'm talking about the things you have done, Claire! You have blood on your hands, and now you are out to get our CEO's too!"Claire felt her blood run cold. How had Lisa found out? She cast a glance at Axel and Donald and they looked just as surprised. They were the only ones she had told in New York."Did you think we would never find out?" Lisa taunted. "Your own sister called you a witch! You killed your father, Claire!"An angry buzz swept through
Lisa had never known real shame in her entire life until that moment. The Chairman shook his head at her in disappointment and motioned to a director standing by the side."Drive me home. I can't stand the sight of that woman."Axel's mother gave Lisa a look of sympathy, but followed her husband out to the director's car. Lisa could not meet her father's eyes as they walked back to the limo. It was a big shock to him. She had lost the one reason he had to keep her as his daughter."Father.""Don't say a word, Lisa." He entered the limo and pulled her mother in. "Just…don't say anything."She swallowed and entered the car with them. The ride was tense, and so thick, one could have cut the tension with a knife. As soon as they got home and sent the limo away, Lisa's father turned to her."You good for nothing piece of trash!" He went off on her. "Your proposed marriage to Axel was the only useful thing you could do with your life! And you ruined it, all for what?"Lisa jutted her chin o
Axel and Donald stared down at the men and the lady they held in their arms."Did I ask any of you to put a finger on her?" Axel asked quietly.They shifted from foot to foot, each of them nudging the other to respond. Donald reached out and took Claire from them, then used his feet to propel her suitcase inside."I'll call Paul." He said as he walked in.Axel nodded, but kept his eyes on the men. "Chose your poison."The men immediately fell to the ground and started begging for mercy."Oh, you all can talk now, can't you?" He roared. "I asked you who gave you the permission to lay a finger on my woman!"His voice echoed in the penthouse, and Donald came out."She's alive, and safe now." He pulled Axel away from the men. "You can deal with them later. Right now, you need to figure out what you are going to say to Danielle. She's been calling."Axel gritted his teeth. "Count yourselves fortunate that Donald was present today. I'd put you all in a torture chamber and leave you there to
Claire's fever returned less than a few minutes later. Axel did not want to call Paul, since his client was very important. But Claire was shivering and burning, and he didn't know what to do. He dabbed her forehead with a wet towel, but she was not responding to his efforts.Finally, he panicked and called Paul. "She's burning," he said as soon as Paul picked up. "And trembling. Her teeth are chattering. She's lost all color."Paul sighed. "Did you let her rest after I left?" When Axel said nothing, Paul sighed again. "I thought so. Well, I can't come right now. Just do whatever you can for her. I'll see if I can finish up here tonight so I can come tomorrow.""Paul." Axel knew he sounded like an injured puppy, but the pain he felt was more than physical. "I'm terrified. What if something happens to her? I don't know what to even do.""You should have left her alone." Paul said tersely."How could I? She asked."Claire started making sounds on the bed. He turned to her, and noticed sh
When Claire melted weakly into his arms, Axel felt deep, immeasurable pain in his heart. He had said to himself, that he would work on not being affected by Claire any more. Now, he knew he lied. She already meant so much to him, that he even shared in her pain. That part scared him the most.Claire's breathing was shallow, and her arms went slack. She was trembling like she was very cold, but her temperature was climbing too quickly. Axel laid her down on the bed and took his place beside her. He hugged her to his side and prayed that Paul should hurry.Donald checked in a few times, but he was just as helpless. Finally, after it had gone dark, Paul returned. By then, Axel was feeling sleepy and Claire's skin was burning. Angry rashes had erupted from her skin and they glowed in fury."You certainly do not fear getting ill, son."Axel looked up, and seeing Paul, sat up groggily. "How did it go?"Paul stretched his hand out. His sleeves were rolled up and Axel could see marks on them.
Axel glared at Donald, but Donald was not looking at him. Sighing, he rose from the bed."I need to go to work, Claire. I'll see you later." He picked up the vial from the bedside table. "I'll let Paul have this. You should rest now."He walked up to Donald and took the laptop from him. "This better be very serious."It was. An employee had accidentally set their gas store on fire at a branch in China. He was needed on site immediately. He looked back at Claire. She had already fallen asleep, and he didn't have the heart to go wake her and tell her goodbye. He walked to her and kissed her forehead."I have to go to China, Tigress." He whispered. "Hold down the forte here for me, will you?"He went to get his briefcase. "Have you informed the directors?"Donald nodded. "And Paul. He will stay with Claire here at the penthouse until you get back.""I hate to leave her now.""I know." Donald murmured. "Me too. But duty calls, and Axel, this time, you really need to focus."The flight to