CHAPTER HUNDRED-SIXTY-FOUR *Blackmail. It works every time*"What are you all chit-chatting about? Enough of that! Nothing can be done to save you from what is about to happen to you lot!" Her mouth curved into a sneer."C'mon Amber! Don't be such a pig-headed fool! Quietly accept your fate with no complaints or protests. You are the discerning and cultured leader of the notorious big trio. It amazes me that you would act just glibly. " She mocked. A satisfied smirk plastered on her face as Amber glared at her with clenched teeth."We are talking about how to dispose of your body. It would give us great pleasure to watch you die slowly," she said with a venomous hiss.Janice gasped softly, feigning fear and shock."Oh my! How scary! " then, her countenance morphed into a scowl as she laughed out loud mocking her feeble attempt to scare her off.She tsked in mockery and shook her head.Grunting in annoyance and frustration she pointed her index finger at Amber."look here, Amber! I'm
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
*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