CHAPTER HUNDRED-SIXTY-FIVE *There's no escape Amber, you are surrounded until you surrender."**"There's no escape Amber, you are surrounded until you surrender."*Janice's words rang through her head, simmering through the recess of her head, her voice was a little faint and echoing as though she was drowning in the deep oceans and someone was calling out after her from the surface. Her heart reverberated in her chest, slamming hard against her ears, making her head go numb and dizzy."what are you spacing out for? Your time is already ticking!" the shrill voice of Janice broke through her jumbled thoughts, yanking her back to the present.She swallowed thickly and licked her chapped lips and then forced a casual smile."let's, go Leader. Time is not on our side." Anastasia urged as she signalled to Arizona to tag along.Amber nodded frantically and was about to head for the stairs when she whipped around abruptly, angling her head in Janice's direction. Her amber eyes squinted with
CHAPTER HUNDRED-SIXTY-SIX*Perhaps her mother might have been right about him*A taut silence blanketed the room except for the ragging breathing of Amber. Her hands clutched the phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white.Whatever her Dad says from now onwards will determine a whole lot. Either she's going to fail or win.She swallowed thickly."In trouble you say? What kind of trouble? Isn't it something you can handle yourself, Amber?" His voice detonated the wariness of a thousand ages.Amber bit her bottom lip furiously before she responded, her voice weakly faint."No. It is not." She heard her father sigh very deeply and clicked his tongue in disapproval."fuck!" He cursed under his breath seethingly."What trouble did you get yourself into now?"Amber bit her lip aggressively again and inhaled sharply.How will she start?Plus there isn't time to dilly daily about.She swallowed the lump forming in her dry throat.She exhaled deeply."Dad... It was rather unexpected. I
CHAPTER HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN *Harvards don't beg, they control, they propel and they command*"What is wrong, Leader?" Anastasia asked with bulging eyes.She inhaled sharply and forced a smile at them, she increased the distance between them by about a few inches.Thankfully they couldn't make out what was being said by her father over the phone.She exhaled softly and nodded frantically into the phone."Okay, Dad but I'm having a bad feeling about this," she said weakly, hoping her father would change his mind.He arched a brow from the other end and clicked his tongue again."You're not supposed to, honey. You should have acted cautiously, knowing fully well that the warehouse could be traced to me as well. If the cops should commence their investigation, that might be a problem for me."She held her breath and nodded slowly."Amber, do you realize what you have done? You are only proving to me how much of your foolish mother you take after! " He hissed, disgust evident in his tone.
CHAPTER HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT *"you are not getting away this time, Amber Harvard!"*Amber scoffed, folding her hands across her chest challengingly."Why don't you come off it, Janice and spill the truth? What is your merit in all of this? I can't believe you would go all the way out for some random weird schoolgirl like Hannah. And besides, you are only new here and yet you act as if you have been here for a long. Is there something that you are hiding from us?"Janice clamped her lips briefly together and puffed out a deep breath in irritation."Does it matter now? Well, I don't fucking think so! Listen, Amber, how many times do you expect me to say this? If you plan on turning the tables around, it's too late for that. You already lost! Accept Your fate already. Now, where's Hannah? I thought you are going to bring her with you?"Amber groaned in annoyance, flailing her hands frantically in the air."I don't freaking trust your blind games, Janice! Not until you tell me who the hel
CHAPTER HUNDRED-SIXTY-NINE *Is this the end of the line for her?*"Says who?" Amber tipped her chin, her eyes gleaming in a challenge.The corner of Janice's lips curved into a mischievous smile."says the cops!" She bellowed into a mobile on her left hand raised close to her lips and at once, the thunderous clanking of the metal door resumed but this time even louder."What are you doing, this isn't part of the plan is it Janice?!" She squeaked in alarm."true. But I could care less. Hannah refused to be released to me so the cops are coming to get her. This is the consequence of your decision, Amber Harvard. You should have listened to me when I gave you the chance.", She sniped."What chance? You were speaking in riddles, Janice and you are so hell-bent on concealing your true identity and motives. Why?!" Amber probed, her heart banging in her chest."you will find out in due time. You are not just smart enough Amber. You thought I was going to easily fall under your influence as
CHAPTER HUNDRED-SEVENTY *"Well she's my friend but not very close*"You have got to be shitting me?!" Amber squealed with rage."Shhh... Language child. Now, relax and let me do my child. Okay?" the inspector admonished calmly with his hands raised.Janice's spine turned to iron as she glared at Amber.Amber snarled silently in response, her eyes glowering with unbridled mockery and disgust. Her lips curled up satisfactorily for having successfully evoked such a reaction from her.Payback time. She grinned triumphantly."I understand, I understand, Miss Amber Harvard. However, from my sources, it was deduced that a Brighton College student by the name, of Hannah Spikes, is being held captive in this warehouse. Is that true?"The inspector asked pointedly, his grim stares searing unflinchingly towards hers.Amber heaved a deep sigh.Get your shit together, and be in control.For daddy. For the Harvard.This question is tricky. If she answers yes she would no doubt complicate things an
CHAPTER HUNDRED -SEVENTY-ONE*Is it too late for Daddy to save her?*The hair on her skin shot out apprehension as the inspector drew closer. The whiff of alcohol tingled her nostrils, making her almost puke in disgust.Damn this inspector! He reeks of alcohol!"where exactly in this warehouse are you currently keeping Hannah Spikes ?" He hissed close to her ears.Her shoulders shuddered in anxiety.What is he scheming now?She forced a lump down her throat."I have no idea what you are talking about Inspector." Amber sputtered.The inspector chuckled wryly and clicked his tongue in disapproval."I'm sure you know absolutely what I'm talking about, Miss Amber. We shall not condone any unnecessary delay. Where the hell is she? Did you hurt her?!He growled.Amber blinked in shock at his sudden change of countenance."I said I don't know!" she wailed."Oh, She bloody knows where she kept her! I'm thinking somewhere upstairs!" Janice butted in relentlessly again.Amber glared at her."Ok
CHAPTER HUNDRED SEVENTY-TWO *Her heart leapt with joy at having found it's significant other*"surprised to see me? Amber?" Hannah ribbed, her voice feeble and faint as she parted her lips to accommodate faster pants. She was lolled against one of the slightly chubby cops who draped a protective strong hand around her slim waist to steady her wobbly legs.Amber was still too stunned to utter any word.She blinked uncontrollably as she tried to calm her thundering heartbeat. How did things end up like this for God's sake?!I thought I had everything perfectly under control. And now, Dad would be undeniably angry with her and even disown her. And then...She will be all alone again.I'm a total failure! I thought I could handle things well.As usual. I was in control but why are things suddenly different now?That's right...She hissed menacingly as she gritted her teeth, jerking her head to look at Janice with sheer resentment in her eyes.Janice Jordan! She's the cause of everythin