CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE *The Big Reveal! *She walked toward the artfully carved sculptor of herself slowly. The crowd suddenly grew quiet as they watched her draw closer to the statute. Gingerly, she traced her finger across the nape of the statute. It was oddly her other self eerily staring back at her. The statue was herself dressed like a Princess in classical times. She looked like a Greek princess. She marvelled at the sight of the statue with dewy eyes. She whipped around with a glum look on her face. "I don't love this." she declared. The audience gasped in shock. Her parents were not spared. In fact, they looked like they have seen a ghost. She swallowed. "Instead, I freaking love it!!!!" she gushed, giggling loudly. The crowd was stunned at first but gasped in delight at her sudden change of mood. They all cheered. Her parents puffed out a deep breath, the tension visibly leaving their stiffened shoulders. They were relieved as they lurched towards her with outst
CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO *Naming your horse gives it its uniqueness*"Oh my God Dad!" Janice cried exuberantly. "this is unbelievable! I wasn't expecting this at all." She clamped a hand over her mouth as admired the beautiful Filly. (a young female horse)The Cleveland Bay Horse stood elegantly as it neighed softly and flipped her honey-coloured curls. Her father bought her a horse! She could hardly believe her eyes.For the first time, he got her the very gift she could cherish no flamboyant flashy and expensive stuff. This horse is going to be her ride or die. At last, she could practice horse riding with this and hopefully catch up to her father. As if she can. She gingerly closed the gap between her and the filly. Tentatively, she stretched a shaky hand over the Filly and stroked its curls gently. Her lips broke into a wide grin as she scrutinized the young horse with curiosity and wonderment. Her parents were very pleased to see her reaction to the big reveal. They were e
CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE *A letter to my late Grandmother*"Hailey..." Her grandmother, Claire Jordan sat on the balcony in her house when they came for a visit. Janice was obediently seated at her feet as she listened to her Grandmother's stories. The sun had completely receded and the spectrum of light was spread so the violet wavelengths filtered through all of the moisture and turned the sky to purple.Janice was barely six. Her grandfather, Walter Jordan had died when she was barely six months at age 105. He lived fucking long. While her Grandmother did not leave long to make it for her seventh birthday. Traditionally, her parents visit her house twice a year. The beautiful countryside of Edinburgh. Her Grandmother was an avid storyteller and she feds her with a lot of intriguing bedtime stories. Most times, she ends up awake almost all through the night instead of falling asleep. so it was one of those occasions that she had called this familiar name, Hailey. But this time
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR *They have been too cryptic lately*"I will name her ... Hailey!" she announced with her chin lifted in confidence. She is not confused anymore. She knows what she needs to do now. HAILEY is the suitable name for this Filly. All thanks to Grandma! The crowd broke into a frenzy of excitement as they cheered. Her parents ran to her and hauled her into their arms, raining kisses on her hair. "You finally named her! I'm so proud of you!" Her mother said breezily, Kissing her cheeks sweetly. "Congratulations kiddo! You're now officially a horse owner! A full-fledged Jordan. However...." She quirked an eyebrow at him Inquisitively. What now? She had named the Filly as he wished, now what? She puffed out an exasperated deep breath, her hands on her waist. "Now what Dad? What more do you want?" she asked warily. He chuckled. " Don't get the wrong idea. You're Jordan through and through love. However, you will have to complete the ritual." Dilated hazel eyes bored
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE *The Ritual is yet to be completed! *His words made no sense instead, his words drove her to the brink of trepidation. She forced a lump down her throat, grimacing. She turned to face her mother again but to her surprise, she remained composed. Her equanimity infuriated her. Dejected, she bit her lower lip in defeat. I don't care! Whatever they planned out to surprise her or scare her is absolutely none of her business. Even though, today is her birthday but who gives a damn? Certainly not her, the celebrant. To their alarm, she chuckled wryly. She tipped her head challengingly at her father with folded arms across her narrow chest. "Let's hear it Dad!" she demanded. Good! At least she managed pretty well to hold her welling fear at bay. Now, what her father would say next will determine how well she can still manage to put up her mask of confidence. Hopefully, her pretense will not snap. She can't beat causing a scene on the day of her birthday. Bec
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX *I have no idea how to ride a horse*Abigail swallowed but didn't say anything. A short silence. "Are there any more weird surprises lurking around that I need to be aware of? I'm begging you, Abigail, just say it." She insisted as her hands flail aggressively around her. Abigail took a deep breath and let it out, in a rather urbane fashion. She clamped her thin lips together briefly before she responded. Her voice was calm and controlled. "Even if there was, you perfectly know that it is certainly not in my place to know whatever conversation that may have transpired between your parents. . I am only told what I am instructed to know. I'm afraid I don't know anything as regards your question." Janice rolled her eyes and puffed out a deep breath out of frustration. "Are you serious?" she asked, her intense hazel sharp eyes darting all over her elderly face. She nodded courteously. " I'm afraid so." She groaned."We need to go get ready now. Time is ti
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN *Everyone is watching us? *She swallowed thickly, bracing herself for what was to come. She resigned to her fate. Let's get this over and done with already. She drew in several deep breaths and let them all out. Meanwhile, the crowd continued to cheer her massively. Charles mounted his stallion gracefully beside her. He wore khaki pants and a body-hugged ash-coloured T-shirt with buckled straps fastened around his upper body. "Relax Janice and listen attentively. For first-timers, we will take it slow, Alright?" he said nicely, cocking his head at her. She gulped and nodded slowly. The fuck understands a damn thing! She just want to go back to her room and pretend this day never existed! She forced an elegant smile at him. "Aye," she said faintly. He nodded. "Good. Now we take a stroll with the Filly. You must be gentle with her because apparently she's still very young and it's kind of her first time too. Do you understand?" She nodded. "How do
CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT*The accident*She found it hard to concentrate on the path ahead of them knowing full well that they were being watched. She forced a lump down her throat, latching on to the reins with all of her might as the Filly thrust forward with agility. Charles, by her side, was riding his stallion with so much adeptness. As expected of a horse keeper. He possessed commendable experience in horse riding. He once told her parents that he had been horse riding for good twenty-five years since he was barely ten. No wonder then he was skilled in horse riding. He drove the horse effortlessly like a piece of cake. She watched him with sheer admiration and really hoped that someday she would advance to that stage of expertise. Like her father and uncle. She sighed deeply and focus on the path ahead of them. Now, they are gradually approaching a steep descent of fresh water over a rocky ledge. Hailey flipped her head to the side and neighed in alarm. She yelped in shock a
*To forever and beyond…*The day of the trial had arrived, and it felt as though the world held its breath. The courtroom was filled with journalists, spectators, and photographers positioned on all corners of the courtroom doors waiting. They were all here for the same purpose: the moment the world would witness as justice decided the fate of Mr. Jordan. In other words, the downfall of the Jordans.The courtroom was so unnervingly quiet that you could hear a pin drop as every creak of a bench and every rustle of paper lingered in the tense air.Janice Jordan sat at the front with Finn beside her. Her uncle came with some family members and they sat behind the pew. Janice’s hands trembled in her lap, fingers clasped so tightly together that her knuckles turned white. She glanced at Finn beside her, his jaw set, gaze fixed on the judge as if nothing else existed. This was heavy for him especially but at last he would witness the final judgment and hopefully get the justice his late f
*He had to bear the consequences of his actions.*Janice sat in an uneasy silence, staring out the window as the news sank in, each word settling into her mind like stones dropped into water.She could hardly believe her ears. Her father has been arrested?! This was the first time such news would reach her ears. The mighty Jordan was arrested?!"Janice? This isn't the time to space out!" Finn's voice yanked her out of her reverie. She blinked repeatedly as her brain was still processing this whole unexpected turn out of events. She gulped. "What's going to happen to him, I-I don't even know what to say. He's the only family I've got, Finn," her words barely squeak out of her lips."Unfortunately, it may be nothing good, Janice. This is the moment of truth, and justice must not only be done but it must be seen to be done." A cold shiver pricked against her skin like goosebumps. As much as she tried to ignore it, it was the hard truth. Her father had done horrible things in the pa
*Was this the end of the line for the mighty Jordan family?* "Janice, I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone, " Finn said, pulling her towards him for a long hug as he stroked her hair. Janice broke into tears, sobbing as her body shook with the weight of losing a child, a part of her that she wasn't fortunate to bring into the world. She sniffed and muffled against his chest, "I didn't mean to hide this from you, Finn. This is shocking news to me as well." "It's alright, sweetheart." He said gently as he continued to stroke her hair. Then he broke the embrace and cradled her wet face in his hand, forcing her to look at him. "Look at me, Janice," he wiped her tears with his thumb. His heart tightened seeing her like this. "I promise I will wipe the tears off your face. We can always make another one." She momentarily stopped crying and looked at him wide-eyed. "You didn't even ask if that child is yours, Finn." He chuckled and shook his head. "I didn't
Chapter Three Hundred and Thirty*The unexpected and Sad Revelation*Finn's (once Drake but will be called his real name henceforth)hammered as he paced the narrow room with the burner phone clutched tightly in his right hand and his left hand frantically raking through his sandy brown hair.Every creak of the floor, every rustle outside the window, seemed like it could be Fergus’s men clawing closer.They were running out of time.With the government closing in and Fergus’s rage nearly tangible, Finn knew their only chance was to reach out to someone who could help them disappear. His father’s old friend, Yamato—a man, both feared and revered, a former militant from Japan who had once pledged his loyalty to the family.Yamato listened in silence, his deep breaths echoing through the line. Then, without a word of question or reprimand, he simply said, “Be ready. I will take care of the arrangements.”A wave of relief coursed through Finn's body at once. His father had been right af
Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-Nine*My real name is Finn Orwells and not Drake Hughen.*He knew of one place Fergus wouldn't dare to look.The drive to his special hideout was unbearable, long, and tedious. It was a rocky path in the thick of the forest but close to a river bank. He usually came here when he needed some privacy from the Jordans and planned his next revenge move. But right now, the reverse was the case. How ironic did things turn out to be? He was literally bringing his arch enemy's daughter to his secret hideout, away from the hawk eyes of his evil brother-the person he was supposed to be working alongside.Well, things had changed. Maybe he had changed, too.But right now... he had a purpose.He glanced at the passenger's seat, where Janice was sitting quietly. Apparently, she was still shaken by everything that had unfolded. Poor woman... He had to protect her even from his own family.I'm so sorry, Mother....but I think I broke the rule.He gulped. I had fallen
*At any rate, he must save Janice.*The heel of his boots pounding in her stomach sent her to the floor, retching and wheezing with her heart in her throat, threatening to explode. A crushing pain seared through her chest. She sprawled on the ground, with her eyes shut tight, gasping for air desperately. The blindfold was restricting her vision, so she couldn't see who it was, but she could feel the extreme coldness exuding from his presence. "Let's try again, shall we, darling. And this time I won't go easy on you. I suggest you answer my questions if you want to leave here in one piece and see your asshole of a father!" the menacing raspy voice roared across the empty room. The man cocked his head to the two huge guys in black and at once they heaved her roughly to the chair and tied her hands and legs to the chair. The sound of the cocked gun jolted a shiver down her spine. He took long strides towards her and trailed the gun around her exposed chest, her buttons had come undon
*He must save Janice no matter what!*"What do you mean you haven't seen her?!" Mr Jordan bellowed through the phone, his hands trembling badly."You need to calm down, Mr Jordan. Remember, this is bad for your health. I will be at the shortly. " Matt spoke as calmly as possible through the phone."Calm down? What if something happened to her, Matt?! You were supposed to take care of her and now..." He paused, taking a sharp breath as he rubbed his temples frantically to ease the tension building up inside of me.Where on earth was his precious daughter? What could have happened to her?"Please, exercise some patience, Mr Jordan, while I wait for the construction team to help me remove my door. As I explained to you, Janice just stormed out of the house and locked me inside because she took the remote with her. She must have been in a hurry or something. I think maybe she's at her best friend's house, Hannah."Mr Jordan's eyes lit up.That may be true....who else will Janice be wi
She was super excited and relieved to see Drake coming to her rescue. Tears of relief etched at the corner of her eyes. He came for her! He must have sensed that I was in danger! But how did he know where to find me....? She pondered silently as she arched a brow at him curiously. "Drake! How did you know that I'm here?" She quizzed.He shrugged, winking at her."I just know, Janice. Now come one before Matt comes out!" He urged, waving her over.Her heart jumped at the mention of Matt. That monster! She never wants to be around him ever again! For now, she has been rescued, and she can safely go home and put this whole marriage behind her.Luckily, she has the videotape as evidence to nail Matt on the cross and call off the engagement. She rushed to the car and opened the passenger's door in the front seat and settled on it, jamming the shut quickly.For now, she will have to ask questions later."You good, Janice? I hope he didn't hurt you in there?" Drake asked, although his
*...if it wasn't Drake, then I would rather not love at all.* Damn it! Matt found out already? How did he even know about this? I thought he wasn't aware of it. What do you mean, Janice? Of course, Matt had been watching you non-stop! Only a fool wouldn't be aware of the deep connection that exists between you and Drake. At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if the maids knew as well. The voice in her head taunted her. She bit her bottom lip frantically, trying to rein in the turbulent thoughts writhing inside of her head. She had to act cool and unbothered. Pretend as if you didn't know what he was saying, Janice. Act cool and get the hell out of here! The voice rang inside my head again like a Belfry. She sucked in several deep breaths and looked up at Matt intently, a smirk curling up her lips. "I have no idea what's you babbling about, Matt," she snapped, feigning ignorance. Matt scoffed, shaking his head. "Stop lying, Janice. It's too obvious! I'm not a