Derek was seen drinking in a private room of a pub. He looked worse for the wear as if he had been drinking for hours now. He couldn't forget his humiliation by the hands of Sierra. All of his friends and his acquaintances are laughing at him. They are making fun of him which he is unable to forget. His father is angry with him and his mother is not pleased either. The employees in the company which he was supposed to inherit are looking at him like he is a thief and a womanizer. They are barely respecting him. "Sierra, you shouldn't have done what you did. I hate you. I wanted to marry you. But you ruined me. Now I will ruin you as well" he cursed Sierra loudly in the confines of the private cabin. Empty bottles of alcohol are lined up on the table. And these are all the bottles which he finished himself. He is slurring and at this point his words don't make any sense at all. He is rambling incoherently. Only Sierra's name can be heard clearly. And he is taking it in a mixture
"Aunt Esther, it's bad. Everyone is thinking that it must be Derek who kidnapped Sierra. You should see the trending topic now" Renee shared with Esther. Esther immediately opened the internet and was shocked to see the most trending topic. 'Is Derek Franklin a kidnapper now?' 'Is Sierra safe?' 'She showed everyone that women can destroy anyone if they try to harm them. She is the epitome of the strength of a woman. She should be safe' 'Oh my god, the Franklin family should take the responsibility for the actions of their son' 'Lets pray for Sierra's safety' 'Derek Franklin is a monster' The comments section is flooding with curses against Derek. "Oh dear, what is going on here? My son is innocent. Why is everyone thinking that he kidnapped Sierra? That wench, she is not letting us live in peace even after being kidnapped" Esther bellowed in panic. Renee frowned deeply. "Aunt Esther, calm down. Nothing is proved yet. We should be worried only if it proves that Derek is t
"Is it you?" a new voice rang loudly, filled with anger. Both the lady and the assistant turned to face the newcomer. Augustine is looking livid and angry. He glared at his wife with displeasure. His wife Janine is the worst affected after their daughter became a vegetable who is living with the help of expensive machines without any hope of ever recovering. Janine started to hate the entire Woods family members with a vengeance. No one knows that it's Janine who killed Xavier's father by administering slow poison to the old man. After that, she started targeting Xavier. When Renee started to insist that she wanted to marry Xavier, Janine calmed down for a few years, hoping that Xavier might marry Renee. She didn't want to break Renee's heart like Gawin broke Maddy's. But when Xavier planned to get engaged to someone else, Janine hired someone to kill Xavier before his engagement. But it failed. Xavier's engagement was cancelled. Renee decided to go back and pursue him, but he was
"Did you check all the vehicles? I am sure she must be in one of them" Xavier demanded the cop who was still checking the vehicles that are passing by the intersection near Nathan's office. The traffic security cops indeed checked every vehicle that passed by the intersection. "Yes sir. We checked every vehicle. But we didn't find her in any of them'' the cop replied regretfully. Xavier is frustrated and angry. "How can it be? This is the only way which leads from the President's camp office. There is no other way. The kidnapper should have taken her only through this way. It's not possible to go anywhere else. Are you sure you checked every vehicle?" Xavier insisted. The cop frowned deeply, trying to remember if they missed any vehicle. That's when he remembered the ambulance. "Sir, we checked every vehicle, but an ambulance. There was a patient inside who needed immediate assistance. So we didn't check that ambulance" he replied. Xavier cursed. Adam and Nathan shook
Esther and Derek looked in the direction from where the knocking was coming from. Esther was confused to see that the knocking sound is coming from inside the Private room, and not from outside the door. "Someone there? Please help me" A faint feminine voice was heard over the background noise of the tv. Esther's whole body froze with panic and shock as she recognised the voice. "Sierra? Oh dear" she murmured with shock as the realisation of what this means settled in her gut. The fact is, Derek kidnapped Sierra, just like everyone else was thinking. Esther collapsed on the couch. Her limbs were shaking with fear, imagining the retribution they are going to receive once this comes out. Her whole frame started to shake with silent sobs of fear. "What is wrong with you Derek? Are you trying to bury our family alive? Are you not seeing how much people are already hating you? If this comes out, Xavier will not hesitate to kill you" she cried out in panic, still reeling with the s
"Mom, I am so sorry. I am so sorry" Sierra faintly heard someone crying from outside the door. She felt like she heard this voice before. But she couldn't recollect whom it belongs to. "Hello? Someone there? Help me please" she banged on the door again and again to catch the attention of the person who is outside. But no matter how hard and how long she tried, the person on the other side didn't reply. But Sierra knows that someone is there on the other side. "Please, help me" she banged again. Now the sides of her palms are bruised and hurting. She doesn't know who kidnapped her and where she is. And no matter how much she tried, she couldn't find a way to get out of that dark room. Tears of desperation and uncertainty started to trickle down her cheeks. "Xavier, I am scared" she murmured to the dark room. Only silence greeted her. Her shoulders shook with her suppressed sobs of fear and uncertainty of her situation. She doesn't know why and who kidnapped her and where she is.
Outside the Private room, Derek cleaned the broken glass pieces and the blood. If one of the employees comes here, then they would definitely see the mess and the thick metallic scent in the air is unmistakable. He sprayed some room freshener and cleaned up everything nearly. He made a request to extend his private room reservation for two more days before leaving the pub. He needs time to think about his next move. And he also has to make arrangements to bury his mother. He is not worried about Sierra for the time being, because he was sure that no one can find her and she cannot be able to come out of there on her own. He quickly left the pub. On the other hand, Carlos and Adam returned empty handed. They didn't find anything in the hospital. "Xavier, she is not here" Carlos shared regretfully. Xavier pointed at the pub beside the hospital. "Is that the pub where you found Derek this morning?" he Inquired. When Adam and Carlos came to confront Derek, he pretended to be full
"Dead body?" After Xavier and Nathan saw the dead body under the bright light, they were stunned to see to whom the body belongs. Even Sierra looked shocked. No one was expecting to find Esther's body there. "Aunt Esther?" Xavier murmured, unable to contain his shock and confusion. Everyone now knows that it's Derek who kidnapped Sierra. But it's a mystery as to why he killed his own mother. Derek was the only person who occupied this Private room, so it's impossible for anyone to come and kill Esther. Even if they did kill Esther, the reason why they killed her is unknown. "Inform my uncle about this" Xavier murmured to Nathan, who immediately pulled out his mobile and did the needful. The next one hour is a blur to everyone. Sierra refused to leave Xavier, while he was forced to stay back and hand over his aunt's body to his uncle. Some how, the media got hint of this news and they swarmed outside the pub like ants. The patrons of the pub who were oblivious to everything t
"It should have been you. Why is my Maddy suffering like this" Janine cursed Renee. Both Renee and Augustine were stunned by her cruel words. Tears welled up in their eyes. Tears of grief and pain. The woman who used to be sweet and caring is now turned into a stranger. The Janine Renee saw from her childhood and the Janine Augustine fell for is no longer alive. The woman standing in front of them feels like an imposter. "Who are you and what have you done to my wife? " Augustine's voice recovered from his pain and grief. It came out scratchy and raw. But the pain in his tone is unmasked. Janine is not in the mental condition to understand the pain of her beloved. She is lost in the sea of her own grief and anger. She is not realising that she is losing the rest of her family by her own actions."You and your daughter killed that Janine. I used to think that you are my world. But now, I am slowly understanding that it's not the case. You never loved me the way I loved you" Janine s
"Hello Mrs. Augustine, i came to visit Renee" Xavier replied smoothly. Janine would have killed Xavier at that moment if she could. But she knows that it's impossible. He is a force to be reckoned with when faced alone. Even for a well built man. So Janine would mostly get herself killed if she attempted anything stupid. But her hatred for the Woods men is too intense to control and maintain a calm facade. "Oh? If I guessed right, this might be the first time you visited our house for Renee, is that right, Mr. Woods?" she stressed his surname with an intensity that even Carlos caught upon. They both understood that Janine is not very fond of Xavier, if she somehow doesn't hate him. Her body language and her tone is screaming that she wants to shoo them out of her home. "You are mistaken Mrs. Augustine. I have come here a few times with Renee. And countless times I gave her a ride back home when it was late. Nonetheless, we apologise for the inconvenience caused. We will take our
"Sorry" An apology automatically tumbled upon Fiona's lips when her body collided with Carlos's body. But he is not feeling sorry. In fact this is the first time he got to hug her like this. It's his years of longing for her. There was a time when he thought that he lost her. But he was given an opportunity to pursue her again. "Will you marry me Fiona" he decided not to delay anymore. These are the words he wanted to ask her fifteen years ago. Now that he is sure she likes him at least a little, he decides to confess his feelings for her. She would never know how he is feeling about her if don't share it with her. He held himself long enough, so he decided to confess this now. She was shocked to say the least. She used to think that he is really sweet to help her like this. And she is really fond of him. But she never dared to dream that he would propose to her one day. They are league's agart to say the least. "I..." she doesn't know how to respond. This feels too good to be
"Xavier, do you know that Renee has an elder sister?" Carlos Inquired with a deep frown. As Renee was Xavier's friend for so long, it's not hard to know these basic things about her. Xavier frowned deeply. He didn't understand why Carlos looked so out of sorts and he was inquiring about Renee when he should be finding who Madaline is. "Yes, but she is in a coma. Tell me why we are discussing Renee now?" Xavier asked with confusion. Carlos slumped into the chair opposite Xavier feeling tired, both physically and mentally. "Because that elder sister is Madaline" he revealed what he found out. Xavier was stunned to say the least. In all these years of his friendship with Renee, he never thought of finding out more about her family. He was aquainted with Augustine because of their business ties. And he vaguely remember meeting Renee's mother once or twice at a party some where. Except that, he was never interested in Renee's family or personal life. "Augustine? Is it possible that
"What are you thinking?" a familiar voice startled her. Cathy sighed but didn't turn around. She doesn't want Nathan to see her grin. Usually she used to seek him after. But now, he is doing that on his own accord. And she is happy to see the change. 'No one realises the importance of something until they think they might lose it' she thought. "Nothing" she lied. She doesn't want to ask him what's going on. It's something related to Sierra and her privacy, which she doesn't want to intrude. Nathan stood an inch behind her. Cathy was standing on the balcony overlooking the back yard. Fiona was on a call, and Claire is with Adam. As Cathy felt like a third wheel, she decided to give the couple some privacy. "Liar" Nathan placed both his arms on the glass railing on either side of her, effectively trapping her between his body and the glass railing. She took a deep breath to steady her pounding heart. "Is it? Then what do you think I might be thinking about?" she challenged him
Renee was feeling so vulnerable. Her father who used to be strong and powerful is now lying on the couch motionlessly. He couldn't move even if wanted to. Janine is not in the tower at the moment, leaving only Renee along with two people one of whom is in a vegetative state and the other one is paralyzed. "Dad, mom is trying to kill Xavier and Sierra's baby. I want to help them. But i don't know how. If I try anything to caution them, I am scared about what mom would do to you. I don't know what to do dad" Renee cried in front of her father while sharing her vulnerability. While she was feeling so lost and sad, Augustine kept looking at the drawer where Janine hid the antidote which would help his case. He couldn't speak yet, but he wanted to hint to Renee about the plan that was brewing inside his head. But was facing away from the draw and was holding his hand while crying. "Ahh" with difficulty he made a small sound at the back of his throat, which made Renee lift his head a
“You tricked me” “You tricked me” The assistant fumed while glaring at the maid with fury. He is surrounded with no way of escape. After the trick he pulled the other day, he is damn sure that his chances of escaping are nil. He never thought this he would get caught this way. “Bring him” Xavier commanded coldly. Adam was standing a step behind Xavier just like Nathan was. Carlos approached the assistant and flexed his fingers as it preparing himself to punch the man whom they just got. “Listen, let’s not get into violence. I will come along with you without any violence. Please, I will tell you everything I know” the assistant begged. Unlike last time, this time he meant it. Just looking at Xavier scared the shit out of him. He is so scared that he doesn’t want to taste the punch which Carlos is ready to deliver. He is very cunning and calculating. He knows that he might end up in a hospital or worst losing a limb if he allow Xavier’s men to unleash their wrath upon him. When
When Nathan entered the basement, he saw Xavier, Adam and Carlos sitting around a small circular table and murmuring something among themselves. A woman was seen crying in one corner. Xavier's men were scattered strategically around the basement. When he heard how Sierra's baby was saved last night, and to hear how close Sierra was to lose her baby, Nathan became furious. "How is it going?" he Inquired as soon as he entered. All the men in the room turned to look at him. Xavier motioned for him to join them. "We made a plan to catch the person who was behind all this. But we suspect that he might just be a hunch man and not the real person behind this. If we catch him, we can get to the master mind behind this. And she is going to help us in catching him" Xavier explained. Nathan sighed heavily and started to pace the length of the basement anxiously. "This doesn't make any sense. We scouted every one who might have a grudge on Xavier, but no one is so angry to the point of
"Boss, i spoke with the maid. She said that the pill seems to be working. If Sierra takes that pill one more time, then no one can save her baby" the assistant assured Janine. He knows how to short temper she is, and especially at that time. So he decided not to tell her about his plan to meet the maid again. When Janine heard the news, she became extremely happy. "Finally, the Woods family will see the taste of losing their child. Xavier will cry blood tears. But too bad, no matter how much he cried, that Sierra won't be able to give him children. Their relationship will be doomed" she thought Outloud and laughed with happiness. The assistant left after that, he wanted to make his lie a reality and exchange the pills again. So he left in a hurry. Renee became pale when she heard this. She couldn't stop herself from crying for Xavier. 'What is happening? I am so sorry Xavier' she thought sadly while crying. She somehow managed to drag Augustine from the floor and successful