CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN*What a mess she is becoming...*"You are just being paranoid love. Think about it. What did Matt do to you? Nothing I assume? So why are you so hell-bent on avoiding his entire existence?" She bit her bottom lip furiously, attempting to swallow the rage brewing inside of her. "So you would rather force him to be with me for the sake of your best friend, George Castle?" She spat. "What about how I feel? Have you thought about that for once?" He paused as he studied her reaction carefully. "You are looking at it from the wrong perspective honey. I care so much about you and how you feel. Of course, I'm doing this with your best interests at heart." She tsked in disappointment. "I don't know if I should believe that Father. I don't like Matt Castle and I never did. Can't you see that?" she queried frantically. " I want absolutely nothing to do with Matt Castle and nothing is going to change my mind!" A determined glint flashed in her eyes. Her
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT*Everything is all muddled up...*The buzzing of her phone woke her up from her sleep. Rubbing her groggy eyes, she stretched and yawned. Who could that be? By this time? It's still early. She thought angrily as her sleepy eyes flickered to the wall clock in her bed. The time read: 8:35 am. The phone kept ringing persistently, grating her nerves with a groan she grabbed her phone, cursing under her breath. If it was matt calling with another unknown phone, she swear she would-! Her vengeful thoughts were halted as the caller popped up again. It was Sandra, her personal secretary and manager of her fashion store. She needs to calm her tits down and quiet thinking anyone that calls her is Matt Castle! She is going nuts! She wondered why her secretary is calling her by this time in the morning. The instructions were never to call at odd hours except if there was an emergency or any urgent prior appointment. Her eyes widened. Wait... Is there an e
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE *She wants to prove the world wrong*After spending about Ten minutes sorting out the clothes to put on to her office she finally settled for a high-quality Navy pantsuit and black silky steel toe heels. She pulled back her blonde hair in her ponytail, leaving some strands of her hair peeking out of the band making it look beautifully messy in a way and yet professional. She wore red velvet lipstick and light mascara which accentuates her hazel eyes. Finally, she wore her gold wristwatch and a pearl necklace and earrings that go with her Fendi bag adorned with some spottings of pearls on it. She opened her drawer full of many expensive designer perfumes and picked out the Dior perfume and spritzed it behind her ears and writs. She gave one final approving look at herself in the large dresser mirror and nodded to her beautiful reflection in the mirror. Picking out the Navy pantsuits was the best option after all. She looked gorgeous in it. I bet Loren
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY *Finally, she would face her fear and the rest will be history.*"He is here. I just saw his car driving into the parking lot." She said hastily. "What do you want me to do, Ma'am?"Her head was beating like a drum in her head. What could she do? Lying to him would do no good because she would be out very soon to her office and she can't be hiding in the house. She is sure as hell he won't be leaving without a fight if he finds out she is in here. Remember, what she said to herself? That she is prepared to face her fears once and for all. It won't do her any good to be hiding. She can't hide forever. And besides, she was resolved this morning that the best thing to do is to face her fears. She inhaled deeply and heaved out a deep breath trying to gain control of the situation on the ground. She turned to face Abigail with a tight-lipped smile. "Why don't you treat him to a cup of coffee?" Abigail was gaping incredulously at Janice. "Are yo
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE *If he bloody finds out she has a man, he would destroy him!*" C'mon Janice. Stop pushing me away. What did I do to make you so mad?" He drew closer which only made her draw farther away. "Don't come any closer, Matt!" She growled. "Why have you been following me around anyway?" He held up his hand in defense as he halted in his tracks. Disappointment marred his brows. "C'mon Janice. I know for a fact that I didn't anything bad. So why have you been running away from me? I haven't seen you in a while and I've missed you badly. At least that should get me a hug right?" She frowned at him. "No hugs! Besides, I never wanted you here in the first place. Plus, the stalking would have to stop!" "What Stalking?" He cocked an eyebrow at her, feigning ignorance. She scoffed. "You know what I'm talking about here! You came to my office and don't you dare deny it!" His jaw moved to a fraction before a smirk bloomed on his lips. "Alright, I did. on
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO *He would never take No for an answer! *"All I want from you is to talk together. That's all. I'm not imposing or anything. I'm simply begging you. I will do anything, I mean anything at all to have that wish granted. Please consider, Janice. I swear on my life that I mean you no harm at all." He continued as he smiled at her. The hotness of his breath made the hair on her skin stand on end. Not in pleasure, oh fuck no! But in sheer disgust! Oh my Gosh! She had always been disgusted by his presence and nothing would make her change towards him. He is an asshole and he would have to leave with that! But looking at this situation from a different angle, she could use it to her advantageHer breath hitched in her throat when the pad of his thumb brushed against the corner of her mouth. Her hazel eyes widened in shock and disgust. She angrily pummels his chest. "What the fuck Matt! I said don't fucking touch me!" She squealed. He chuckled as
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE *If this is the end for him, his enemies will be rejoicing*Doctor, I need you to be honest with me. How is the test results this time?" Mr Jordan asked a stern expression marring his brows as he edged closer to the table. The doctor was quiet as he removed his glasses and set them down gently on the table. In a tense silence, he flipped through the medical report notes. Mr Jordan heaved in a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions in order. Whatever the outcome may be, he has to be fully prepared to accept it. He would do and accept anything for the sake of his daughter as long as he would be able to protect her. That is all he desires. After a couple of minutes in silence, the doctor finally stopped flipping through the medical report and looked up at him. He cleared his throat. "Well, Mr Jordan... I have to be very candid with you." He paused as he licked his tongue nervously. Mr Jordan inhaled sharply, trying to rein his frantic
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR *Is this truly the end for him yet?*"it is a rare medical condition that is not necessarily attributed to genetics. And you have absolutely nothing to worry about your daughter, Mr. Jordan. You need to focus on getting better and fit. If we cooperate together, we can properly manage this disease and reduce its fatality rate to the barest minimum. I am certain we can do this." He said confidently with a reassuring smile. But Mr. Jordan was not convinced. "What do you mean by Fatality rate? Am I going to die sooner or later doctor?" he asked pointedly. His father had always thought him to be daring and face his fears head-on. According to him, there's no point beating around the bush at some point you will get tired of beating about so much so why don't you just go directly and do what you gotta do? He inhaled deeply. He is prepared for the worst and at the same time, he must finish his mission. The doctor was visibly flustered by his sudden bl
*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