CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED-EIGHT*She wished he could at least read her mind so she doesn't have to say the words out loud.*Her breath hitched in her throat and at that moment, all she ever wanted was to fling herself into his strong arms and weep. Hopefully, things work out for the best. But right now... *"....I can read your emotions like an open book. And for a fact, I know that you never for once liked this matt, Castle."* How could he tell? Well, that was true for a fact... Well, there was no point hiding the obvious and here she thought she was a great actor.She inhaled deeply and puffed out a deep breath. Such a lame performance I must say. She chided herself internally. "Jane?" He called out smoothly, snapping her back to reality. "Yeah... Um... Well, I-" She sputtered. Damn it! She doesn't know what to say or where to start. He gripped both of her shoulders, shaking her gently. His blue eyes were still intent and hooded upon hers but something else flashed in his
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED-NINE* Hell Awaits and it's drawing close... *"Someone came to look for me?" Janice's brows knitted together in surprise. Who could that be? Because she wasn't expecting anyone whatsoever... "It was a man..." Sandra continued over the phone. "A man? What man?" Sandra cleared her throat. "Well... He just said that his name was Mr Brad that's all. He wanted to see you so badly and extend his hearty congratulations on your upcoming engagement ceremony." Janice arched her brows diametrically. "Mr Brad? I'm not sure I know someone by that name.""He talked so much about you as though he knows so much about you." A cold shiver ran down her spine. Who on earth could this person be? It's strange... She gulped."What else did this so-called Mr Brad say?" "Umm.." Sandra dragged the word out as she thought of it for a while. "He did walk around the store and picked out a dress and suit though. He said for your pleasant occasion and that he can't wait. I was
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED -TEN *All she wished for was to run back home, into the comfort of hid arms*Before you say, Jack Robinson, The engagement ceremony was already here! Janice couldn't sleep a wink last night. She could barely get a good night's sleep. How could she? When she was about to be engaged to a monster?! Well, sometimes people make hard decisions when they have no other choice. She was doing this to protect the man she loves and her own father as well. So at the end of the day, a win is a win... She hoped. Everything was already set and the fashion designer had already finished dressing her up. Putting on her dress was an uphill task. It took about three hours to get her set. It was a crystal stone dress and the designer had to make sure it was stuck to the dress very well. She chose simple smoky eye makeup and her blonde hair was curled and pulled up in a mountain bun, leaving some strands of curly hair at the edges. After giving one final look in the mirror
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED -ELEVEN *Well, they say universe The universe had a sense of humour, all right, and it was a shitty one*"Welcome ma'am!" The huge tall guard at the entrance said as he tilted his head to pay his respects. She forced a smile at him and nodded. "Thank you." The guards parted to let her into the entrance. As they entered the huge tall building and passed the beautiful candlelit pathways adorned with rose flowers, the faint music became louder. There was a fountain just before they rounded off the corner into the main arena where the actual party is taking place. Janice could see some guests murmuring amongst themselves and one thing struck her as a surprise; All the guests were wearing masks. "I didn't know it was a mask party." She said, passing a glance at Hannah. Hannah shot her a smirk, nudging her forward. "Well... I got yours for you so don't you worry sweetheart." Arching her brows, Janice asked. "I have a mask?" Hannah nodded. "Yep." "S
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED -TWELVE * It was like everything from the moment she woke up this morning, had been a nightmare*"Good thing that my money didn't waste. I made sure to employ nothing but the best in the preparations for the engagement ceremony. I hope you like it?" Matt continued, a wide smile tugging at the corner of his lips. She scowled at him and scoffed. "Yeah right. It's just... Nice." She said flippantly. She could care less about the preparations. She just wanted to go home. She curled her hands into tight fists behind her dress and forced a tight-lipped smile. He chuckled and extended his hand for her. "May, Bride to be, shall we?" He cooed, his amber eyes gleaming with pride. He finally got the woman he had always wanted. Even though she proved to be a stubborn one, he was thrilled to have captured her. It was going as planned... She will become his wife soon enough... And that was all that mattered... Hannah tugged at her arm gently to urge her. Sh
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED-THIRTEEN *She had better act along... Play along as the happiest bride to be...*Janice rolled her eyes with an exasperated groan. Arghhh!!!! This man continued to piss her off!! Can he just leave her be for once?! She deserves a fresh breath every once and then but Matt wouldn't let her be. It was as if she had become his prisoner or something and she wasn't happy about that. She desired a world where everyone is free to make his or her own decisions without being coerced or influenced in any way. This is her life and she had the right to live her life on her own terms. But then again... His extensive cologne wafting through the air made her wrinkle her nose in disgust. Everything about this man made her angry. To think that she would be his wife soon, made her blood boil and her stomach churned in disgust. She wished she could take back the hands of time and retraced her steps. Was this what she really wanted? Hell no! It's way farther than that!
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED -FOURTEEN *...When all she ever yearned for was his touch...*Gone?! Just like that?! Did he disappear?! But to where?! Janice's hazel eyes scanned the ballroom relentlessly in search of Drake again... Where is Drake?! He should still be here somewhere... Except he was not the one in the first place. But how could she be so sure? Her stomach swooped for no obvious reason. "Who are you looking out for?" Matt's sudden question yanked her back to the present, startling her. She quickly swallowed a lump in her throat and forced a smile at him. "No-one. Just awestruck by the decor you chose for this place. Not bad at all." she lied. He chuckled. "Of course, you know I'm out to get nothing short of the best for you. I would do anything for you, Janice. I don't want you to ever doubt that. Ever." He reached for her hand again and stroked it tenderly this time but she wasn't having it. The Mc cleared her throat as the music died down a notch, grabbing
CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED -FIFTEEN *The mysterious man behind the mask*He clenched his teeth and seethed in silence as he watched the both of them dancing together, his hands on her hips and his lips close to her ear whispering something to her. He couldn't tell what they were saying but he bet it was nothing Janice was so interested in because her hazel eyes were still scanning the room for him. He was surprised that she had spotted him underneath the mask. How could she tell? Anyway, he had no right to be jealous. She was never his, to begin with, but he had hoped he was able to somehow... Communicate his feelings to her. But it's too late now... Had gulped and turned around in the direction of the restroom at the far corner, several meters away from the ballroom. He couldn't stand it. She was taken by the man whom she dreaded and he wondered why she agreed to this engagement. Something must be wrong somewhere... There was definitely something she might be hiding from him.
*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