CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR *It's about time I know what the heck is going on! I won't be left in dark anymore*"I do, I think. Why?" Hannah pursed her lips. Janice chuckled. "Everything.... all the horrible things Casanova did to you, Hannah do you think I would make it easy for him huh?" Hannah squinted at her friend dubiously. "Janice, what on earth did you do to Casanova?" "Inconceivable things," Janice muttered fiercely, a devilish grin spreading across her face as she leaned closer. Hannah widened her eyes. "What do you mean?" Janice burst out laughing, seeing the dead expression on her friend's face. Waving it off she said, "Okay, I was just kidding about the past part. But I did do something embarrassing to him. I couldn't help it after everything he did to you." "Okay, what the hell did you do to him? Just say it already! Surely it couldn't be that bad right?" Hannah rolled her eyes at her and shook her head. Janice puffed out a deep breath in resigna
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE*The nagging feeling was far from being gone rather it intensified... *"Why? It's rare to see you here honey. Do come in." Mr Thomas Jordan said as he held out the door for her. Janice gingerly stepped into her father's spacious bedroom.When was the last time she was aware? She certainly can't remember... Oh, that's right, since her mother passed away. They had one kind size bed and two separate beds and rooms when they require privacy. She found it absurd for a couple to have two separate beds and rooms or maybe because there were plenty of rooms and her father didn't know what to use them for. Anyway, she was here with one goal in mind: To seek answers. No looking back. Hannah had just left for about half an hour and she had retired to her bedroom to gather thoughts before she finally decided to barge into his bedroom and have a talk with her. Thankfully, he obliged her. He gestured to the Chesterfield sofa beside the window. "You seat t
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX*The day his once bright, happy life turned black as the night.*Mr Jordan chuckled as he rose to his feet. "It's no big deal. Matt doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut whenever he talks about you. Don't blame him." He waved that off and smiled at her. "I just want you to give him a chance is all and see where it leads. Isn't it about time you settle down? Im not sure I have seen you with any man around lately. Or is there something I need to know?" She gulped. Of course not! No fucking know you would know that your daughter is in love with a horse keeper! She shook her head aggressively. "Of course not! Dad is not like Matt did anything so terrible or anything is just that I don't like his gut and I feel like we aren't compatible." "How can you be so sure?" He asked, drawing close. " You can never know until you tried. I felt that same way towards your mother at some point, I felt she was beneath my league, I underestimated her but when I
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN *Brewing Rival*Drake was getting ready for the get-together, grooming the horses at the stables when he sensed a presence behind him. Slightly startled he whipped around and was surprised to see a man behind him, looking intently at him. His amber eyes scanned his features closely as if he was trying to decipher a message. Drake furrowed his brows. Who was this man? He looked quite sophisticated. His long blonde hair gleamed under the afternoon soon. He was clad in dark blue jeans and well-polished brown boots and a White tank top. His expensive cologne wafted the air around them and Drake couldn't help but inhale the strong scent. He smells expensive. There's only one answer. He was aware that the Jordans fixed a little "Family" get-together today and his best friend was going to be in attendance which also means that his son will be coming as well. Could this be him? The Matt Castle dude? Judging from the hardened expression on his face
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT*She wished it had been just the two of them*Matt chuckled and shook his head. "Harass? Nah it's far from that love. I was merely getting acquainted with the horse keeper. Courtesy demands that at least I know the name of the horse keeper tending to us today. I don't see anything bad in what I did. Or do you have your reason for suspecting such nonsense?" Janice glanced at Drake and back at Matt.She cocked her head. "Well, you could at least approach me first rather than going off by yourself. I would have introduced you to him." Matt scoffed. "He seems to be more than just a random employee. Why do I have to approach you first, Janice? Besides, he's not your employee, he was employed to tend to the house of Jordan's horses. Which also includes your father and other related persons like me for instance. So I don't need to seek your permission for us to have a chat. Except...." He paused as he drew closer to her, his brows furrowed suspiciousl
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-NINE *It would have been much much better if she fell in love with him instead...*Drake raised his eyes to meet hers, offering Janice a warm smile, and she returned the gesture, smiling twice as wide. A flurry of butterfly activity flourished in her stomach, and she had to mentally kick her own ass to remind herself that she vowed to keep things under control and off the radar from Matt. Worst case, Matt is a few inches away from them and if he finds them giving stares, he might start suspecting something. But how the hell is she supposed to keep a straight face when his hot breath is so close to hers that she could almost taste it?! He extended his strong muscular hand, the veins in his arm throbbing in rhythm with the throb between her legs. Shit! Not here and not now! Janice bit her bottom lip furiously trying to fight the sudden urge to moan. Their eyes locked. And a millisecond turned to eternity. Yeah... That's right. She just wants to be l
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY *She must be prepared to fight for what she wants. There's no two ways about that*. Drake made sure the horses were calm before he sprinted towards Matt and hunched down to offer him support as he struggled to raise to his feet. "You alright?" Drake said calmly with concern furrowing his brows. Matt however swatted Drake's supporting hand off his back, an icy stare on his face. "I don't need your help. I can walk by myself... This was nothing." He said smugly as he clambered to his feet and started teetering on wobbly knees, almost falling face down. In a swift movement, Drake reached for his arm to steady him but struggled to wrench free. "Will you quit acting like a child Matt? Drake obviously trying to help. Maybe if you had listened to him earlier, this would not have happened." Janice hissed at him... She puffed out an exasperated breath and rolled her eyes. She can never understand what Matt is fighting so hard for. If it's her love, then
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED NINETY-ONE *I still don't trust him anyway.*"Do you like her?" Matt's sudden question threw him into an internal frenzy. They already rounded off the corner that led to his cabin and now, his cabin was in view. Why the hell was he asking this question all of a sudden?! Act natural!! His throat quickly worked on a swallow. He cleared his throat weakly. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean?" Drake peered at him, feigning surprise as they tottered to his cabin. Matt chuckled weakly, fearing the pain in his side might get worse if he cackled. "It's just a harmless question, Drake. Do you like Janice? I won't bite or say anything to her I can assure you of that not even her father. It's just between me and you." Quit it already Matt. You won't get the answers from me and whatever you may be plotting, ain't gonna work. He was just here for the job and nothing more or nothing less. He forced a tight-lipped smile as he turned to face his searching ey
*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