CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE*Not again, Dad*Outside the open bedroom window, birds were chirping, and a nice air tickled her feet as it blew in. She must have kicked them out of my duvet somewhere during the night. She gradually opened each eye, groggily scanning her bedroom room. Her laptop was partially open on my desk-she spent some time during the night browsing through South Africa's traditions and other related stuff about her vacation country. The curtains were wide open, permitting the early morning sun to filter in. Her yesterday's worth of clothing was still hanging over the side of the hamper. The house was eerily quiet as She lay in bed, staring at nothing in particular, trying to muster the strength to get out of bed. She drew in deep breaths and exhaled slowly.She had also spent the night, dreaming about Drake Hughen. His perfect-shaped body, hard and strong underneath her naked body. They were on a vacation together, like a couple, a real couple. But she didn't exactl
CHAPTER FORTY* The Family's business comes first*Irritated, she slammed the cutlery on the table with a low groan forming in her throat as she glared at her father across the table.Nothing ruffles her feathers more than her father throwing shades at her concerning how dissatisfied he was with her apathy towards the family's company. She thought they had discussed this over and over again until he ultimately agreed to help set up her fashion store. Apparently, she was mistaken as he never ceases to raise the issue at every slightest opportunity. Honestly, it is beginning to get on her nerves and for heaven's sake! not today of all days that she was already prepared to discuss her vacation trip with him. Just great!The wide smile on his face suddenly disappeared as he met the glaring look of his daughter fuming silently across the dining table.He perched on his chair as he drew closer to the table, and guilt wrinkled his brows. He knew he messed up but it can't be helped! There'
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE*Her father is disappointed in her!*Mr Jordan was gaping at her incredulously across the dining table.With raised brows, he asked softly, "Sweetie? What is it? I thought you wanted to say something. I'm all ears."She reached for the glass of milk and gulped almost all the contents down. She cleared her throat loudly and look her father intently in the eye.Hazel's eyes locked on hazel eyes as a short silence lingered."Dad, it's about the vacation." She finally spoke.Her father's brows shot up instantly. He reclined in his seat."Okay. I'm all ears." He urged.She pressed her lips together, trying to piece the words accordingly in her mind."Well, you see, I'm contemplating going to South Africa for a short vacation. We have already decided it's going to be South Africa." She paused for effect as she studied his reaction. He was still calm with both of his hands clasped together thoughtfully.Then suddenly, as if his brain just finished processing the actual wor
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO*The big contract day!*The silky luxurious Benz screeched to a halt in front of the skyscraper building peaking up in the clear blue morning sky. The built security man dressed in a black suit and a dark pair of glasses fixed on his face was already waiting for his arrival and as soon as the car stopped in front of the building, he efficiently opened the passenger's door for Mr Jordan. He slipped out of the luxurious car with his expensive leather black shoes poking out and then his entire body.He squared his shoulders and sighed deeply. His chauffeur, Mr Briggs, quickly got out of the car and gave the security man his briefcase."Be on standby for now." He instructed the chauffeur."Yes sir." He acknowledged with a slight bow and then retreated to the car and drove into the parking lot.He glanced at his Cartier's expensive wristwatch to look at the time. The time reads 9.05 am. Good. At least they have twenty minutes to prep and finalize before the investors arri
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE*The big contract Day 2- Old friends*"The board meeting had already been set, sir. We're waiting on your order." Collins said. Collins was a slender tall man with the face of a fifteen-year-old child. His light brown hair was slightly tousled. He was clad in a regular fit two-button suit and his medicated glasses were propped up at the bridge of his nose as his wary dark brown eyes were trained on the reports as he rustled through.Mr Jordan nodded, still fiddling with the ballpoint pen in his hand."I discovered a few errors when I was going through the reports a while ago. Here I marked them." Mr Jordan said as he pointed to the sections where the markings were visible to collins."I need them corrected immediately. I suspected you would have at least exercised due diligence before you submitted the report. We don't have time dallying around for heaven's sake!" He hollered. "I am sincerely sorry sir! I had Madison type out the report. The mistake must have bee
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR*The big contract day 3 - The board meeting*"The board meeting begins now!" The Shrill commanding tone vibrating from the in-ceiling speaker system filled the office. "All workers are to report to the board room immediately!"At once, there was a commotion in the office as all the workers began scampering about the office in urgency, getting ready and making their way to the board room.By now, Mr Thomas Jordan and his best friend, Mr George Castle were already in the board room.Collins approached the Board Room with the corrected reports. When he spotted Mr Castle sitting beside his boss he froze in his tracks.His lips parted to speak but no words came."Oh Hi, collins, Good to see you again." Mr Castle grinned at him with a curt wave."Oh, Good morning sir, what a pleasant surprise!" He managed to croak out with a forced smile.Oh, he's so screwed if Mr Jordan finds out that he's been filling in on all things with Mr Castle without his knowledge and now he is
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE*The big contract day 4- the investors' meeting!*"As planned, those that have been appointed to stay for the investors' meeting may now do so while the others may leave now. I just got word the investors are two minutes away." Mr Jordan authoritatively stated.At once, some left while a few remained."Madison?" Mr Jordan called out to a slim light brown lady in curly black hair. She hurriedly got up and walked over to him."Yes sir, ?" She spoke quietly."I hope no errors are lying in wait for me. Because I will not take it lightly the next time." He hissed.She nodded frantically. "Of course sir. I have them reviewed already. My sincere apologies for the oversight." She bowed slightly.Silence endured. His adam apple bobbed as he eyed her curiously. He sighed deeply. " very well then. You may return to your seat." She did as she was instructed.Collins returned with separate copies of the audit reports and financial statements of the company. He slammed the printed
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX*The big contract day-5 how can he smartly avoid this?*He swallowed a lump in his throat thickly, his face ashen as he forced a tight-lipped smile.He glanced at his best friend, who was also taken aback by the sudden question, with an alarming look for help.Fuck! He thought the patchy financial statements that they made up wouldn't alert them but apparently, they were more clever and meticulous than he expected! The truth is, some of the company's finances were gotten from other illegitimate means that must not be exposed or they are set for doom! He had worked pretty hard for this day, and now that it is here, he can't let this jeopardize the success of this company that has stood over the decades since its inception!Now calm down and think fast! How can he deftly avoid this? He gave his best friend another look and he returned arched brows urging him to go on with whatever plan he has in mind. Probably."Mr Jordan?" Ms Emily, the elderly lady called out to
*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