CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO *The Scottish sexy Horse keeper! *Roughly ten minutes later, the white-coloured Hilux squealed to a halt, startling the poor horses which were neighing in response, in front of the stables where Drake was already waiting. Momentarily, The passenger's car door flung open, revealing Mr Jordan dressed in brown denim jeans and a polo T-shirt with a white baseball cap. He also wore dark shades and hiking boots. He held his breath as the other passenger's door tugged open. She hopped down with a little difficulty, adjusting her jeans. She wore black denim jeans buckled with a leather belt and a V-neck-shaped polo T-shirt and knee-height dress boots. She pushed the car door closed and came to her father's side and they both held hands while walking towards the stables. In a closer view, he could make out that her blonde hair was pulled back up into a sleek low bun. Thus, accentuating her oval-shaped face. Damn, she looked more breathtaking and absolutely gorgeo
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE *Her childhood Trauma*"Wait a minute, Are you serious?!" Mr. Jordan nodded, smiling widely. "101%. Don't tell me you forgot?" She swallowed with confusion furrowing her brows. "but I do remember, as clear as day, that the incident happened when I was eighteen years old. I can never forget that. I never realized I gave her a name. I must have been..." her voice faltered. How could she forget the day she broke a leg? The day she nearly gave up on walking ever again? The very day she saw her life slipping out of her very hands. She was helpless and miserable. The day she thought she was done for. She had never been more afraid! That day is ingrained in her memory like a marking that has been stamped in her head with a permanent marker. An indelible mark. Her father smiled at her ruefully, clamping a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I understand love. You were so traumatized by the incident that you forgot. I'm sorry to dig up some bad memories for you. I didn
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR *Focus Drake, Focus! *"I will not take it lightly this time. If any harm comes to my daughter, I will fire you immediately! Is that clear?" his voice was brusque and menacing. His dark shades were still on so Drake couldn't make out his expression. Although he suspected that Mr Jordan would react this way following the horse fall mishap that happened to Janice recently, however, he was a little taken aback by his words. Apparently, Mr Jordan doesn't look like he gave a damn about him playing the hero two weeks ago. His daughter's safety is of paramount importance to him and he's willing to fire him if the need arises. Talk about being hyper-protective! Under normal circumstances, he would have simply walked out without looking back, but he simply can't afford to sabotage his family's plans of revenge. Mr Jordan deserves every bad thing coming to him for all the pain he had caused his family. For his father's untimely death. For his mother's sickness, su
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE *She has the generational Jordan's blood coursing through her veins for fuck's sake! *In a swift and efficient grip, he held her waist and mounted her unto the saddle of the horse. The horse snorted softly, wagging her tail. Her breath hitched in her throat as she held unto the reins with all her might. Drake noticing her discomfort whispered to her, "Are you okay?" She swallowed thickly and nodded, her hands still clutching the reins. What is this sudden fear gripping her? Is her Childhood trauma coming back to hunt her again? No! Today was supposed to be a challenge and not fear. She already vowed that she would own up to the task and ride a horse by herself today. Nothing is going to stop her now! Not even her past! Besides, Drake is right here by herself. No harm will come to her. A warm hand clasped hers and she jolted in alarm, almost tripping off the horse. Instantly, Drake's strong hands on her waist steadied her on the horse. She looked do
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX *Blame it on sex deprivation! *They kicked the horses into a slow gait as they cantered down the hilly path overlooking the small waterfall. The beautiful brightly-colored prunus Kanzan trees swayed in the late afternoon, glowing with splendor. The late afternoon breeze wafted over them. Her Dad, Mr. Jordan was ahead of them. She turned to steal a glance at Drake. He was so relaxed on a horse as they rode at a sauntering pace. He was an expert as he held on to the horse's reins with just one powerful hand. Very attractive and charming as he let his free hand run through his messy sandy hair. Sturdy biceps curved beneath the cotton shirt. As he raised his hand, letting it comb through his hair, his sweaty armpit soaking his shirt around that area, escaped into her view before it disappeared from her line of sight as he dropped his hand again. It was not only the armpit areas. The skin on the back of his neck glistened in sweat too. Damn! The sweat ma
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN *Why are these men trying so hard to prevent her from having a good time?*What the hell is she suggesting? Don't tell me she wants to venture for a steady lope with the mare? Which, as a matter of possibility will expose him to the risk of losing his job as Mr Jordan rightly stated earlier. And losing his job is not an option right now. A whole lot that mattered to him is banking on this. His family. His late father. Even his mother. Ah, of course, he suspected this after all. It's been ages, so it is expected that she would want to plunge into doing daredevil fits with the horse for the sake of making up for the long lost time. Hopefully, this will enable the opportunity for her childhood trauma to fizzle out gradually. He sucked in the late afternoon humid air into his nostrils and released them. "But it can be dangerous riding that fast with your mare. Besides, you still need some time to get used to it. This is for the best for now." He heard her
CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT *Her eighteenth birthday party*Hailey's flying lead change was seamless and she instantly flipped to the opposite lead, snorting in delight. They moved smoothly and speedily. The wind beat so mercilessly against her face and hair that her bun came undone and as a result, thick strands of rich blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders and teased her face as the wind blew against it, blurring her vision. Shit! Hailey is taking a full bolt and the path they descended unto was rather rocky and uneven, causing her to jerk violently on the horse. She clutched the reins with her all the strength she could muster, fearing for her life and in that instance, her childhood trauma came creeping up on her again. Her heart thumped so loudly against her ribcage that she had to part her mouth to accommodate faster pants. She did not have the strength and stamina to check if she was being followed or trailed by Drake or her father. Her mare took off at an alarming speed.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE *The mystery birthday present*"Jordan! It was supposed to be a secret you loose mouth!" she hissed, poking him playfully at his side. She cleared her throat loudly, smiling awkwardly at Janice. "Don't mind your father. Now get some rest. Your big day is here. Love you bye!" She blew her kisses and nudged Jordan out of Janice's bedroom and closed the door behind him. Janice sighed deeply, wondering what her parents got her this time. She eased herself into the bed, resting her body lazily on it and kept pondering on what they could possibly have bought for her this time. There's nothing they cannot get her. So long as the money is available, they are more than willing to splurge on her. What is the ideal present for an eighteen years old girl though? Designer clothes, shoes and bags? Certainly not because she already got tons of them. A car? Nope. Mum had insisted it was still early for her. So what could it be? Exasperated she sighed deeply. I
*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