CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FORTY*He would do anything to protect her*"So what was your first experience in Africa generally like? I am beyond curious to know!" Mr. Jordan was thrilled to ask as he nudged closer with anticipation. Janice swallowed and forced an animated smile. "It was fantastic! Mesmerizing at first.." With Brows shot up, Jordan asked. "At first? Did anything happen?" Janice snuck a glance at Drake and then back at her father. She shook her head aggressively in the negative. "Of course not! The beach! Yes, the beach! The beach was very beautiful and very massive." Drawing closer to her father with a smirk on her face she added, "In fact, I heard that it takes about three days to reach the end of the Alamba beach." Her father's face scrunched up in sheer curiosity. "Hmmm... That's interesting. Did you experiment that by any chance or attempted to?" He quipped with a lazy smile on his face. Janice gave her father's arm a little pinch, scowling mildly at him a
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE*This is not great news! Instead, this is disastrous news!!*Mr Jordan took his time as he bit from his steak again and chew gently and then reached for the glass of wine to wash it down his throat. Drake was curious to know what great news Mr Jordan may have. He pretended to be too focused on the food before him as he chew the tender fish in his mouth. The savouring sensation of the fish hit him really hard. It was indeed delicious. Abigail is sure a brilliant cook. For some reason, this brought back some memories he shouldn't be remembering at this time. He is dining with his enemies on the same table for fuck sake! His mother, Mary had always been a lover of fish in fact she is the artisan of all every variety of fish you could think of. There's a special way his mother would make the fish that you would always ask for seconds if not for thirds. They usually have fish for dinner and his father had really loved it. The Nostalgia hit him so hard t
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FORTY-TWO *Something smells fishy here*"It's been a hectic day, I suppose I will return to my room and rest. Perhaps, he should push for tomorrow or something. Today just isn't right." Janice argued in a calm voice. She is literally fighting the rage brewing inside of her. Her father's brows shot up suspiciously. "Are you feeling sick my love?" She shook her head with a forced smile plastered on gee face like a mask hiding her true intentions. "No, it's just been a long ride. I just got back from Africa, Dad, it's expected I need some time to recover and get accustomed to the environment again." Her father nodded in understanding. "I know, but the poor boy has been dying to see you. The two of you grew up together but didn't really spend much time together. You have always been pushing him away Janice. Give him a chance."Janice couldn't hold the brewing rage inside her any longer. "Give him a chance?! Why should I give him a chance Dad?! I have no
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FORTY-THREE*That prick! I'm gonna teach him a lesson*"Finally!!! Did you get my messages?" Janice said breathlessly on the phone clutched to her ear as she paced back and forth in her room in frustration. Hannah sighed deeply before she responded. "Yes. Welcome back dear. I am so sorry, my boss had been bombarding me with so much work lately."She paused and then asked in an alarmed tone. " what has gotten over you? What's going on?" Janice gulped. "That monster has reared its ugly head in my life again!" "Monster? Who?" Janice exhaled in exasperation. "C'mon you know who I'm talking about!" "No, I don't. I'm trying to remember but I can't bring myself to." "Okay..." Janice inhaled deeply and released slowly. "It's Matt," she announced. Hannah arched her brows diametrically as realization hit her. "You mean, Matt Castle... Your father's best friend's son.""Accurate!" Janice sighed deeply as she slumped into her comfy couch. "Oh darn it!" Ro
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR*Perhaps it's about time he trusts him...*"I thought perhaps I should ask you this myself in my daughter's absence." Mr Jordan announced. "What really happened in South Africa?" Mr Jordan whispered, edging closer to the table, his brows scrunching up in concentration. Drake quickly licked his lips as his heart rate quickened. Why is Mr Jordan suddenly asking him this now? Did suspect anything? He had better be very careful. Drake shrugged, feigning confusion. "Like what sir? I don't understand what you mean." Mr Jordan puffed out a deep breath as his gaze flickered to the door, ensuring no one was within earshot. He looked back at Drake with a deep frown marring his brows. "Tell me the truth Mr Hughen. While you were away with my daughter in South Africa, did something happen? Tell me the full truth.please." He entreated. Drake swallowed a lump in his throat. Oh boy! This could get worse if he is not careful. He might be playing right int
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE*Back to Office!*"Good Morning ma and welcome back to London. I hope your trip was seamless?" Sandra greeted her at the door as she arrived. The security guard held out the door for her as Sandra helped her with her handbag. She stepped in majestically, her silky gown twerking as she hunters into her spacious fashion store. All the workers stood up and bowed their heads in respect as she walked past in a confident gait. "Welcome, Ma'am! It's good to have you back!" they chorused. She smiled at them. "Thank you so much." The guard pressed a button on the entrance door to her private office and it automatically the door dinged open, revealing her cozy, airy office. It had a wide view of the roadside and a double room: one for her serious work mode and her private study. She slumped into her office couch, puffing out a deep sigh and flexing her legs. "Do you mind anything ma'am perhaps water or your favorite orange juice?" Sandra asked as she
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FORTY-SIX*She absolutely wants nothing to do with him!*What the fuck does Matt want with her?! He had the balls to show up at her store?! The effrontery?! Why won't he just leave her alone for heaven's sake?! That's why she has to block off his number from her call list so that he won't be able to reach her again. He probably tried her number several times and decided to show up at her store, hoping she will be available. If she isn't home, she is either in the office or at St Lauren's. Matt must have known that. She may probably pick out a more private and low-key area for her next date with Hannah. She can't risk running into Matt at the tea shop-she might cause a scene. Or even a relationship scandal which is the last thing she wants right now. And besides, she would rather shove a needle in her eyes than be associated with that jerk! She absolutely wants nothing to do with him! Buy Matt is not the person that will take a No for an answer. He won'
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN*Downtown*She dialled her friend's number hastily. The phone rang for a while before the receiver finally picked up. "Hannah!" Janice said quickly. "There might be a snag." "A snag? What is it, Jane?" Hannah's calm collected voice vibrated through the phone. Janice drew in several deep breaths and released them. "I will tell you more when we see. In the meantime, I call to inform you that there's been a change to our location. ""A change? Why? What's going on Jane?" Her voice sounded worried. Janice's eyes flickered to the wall clock on the wall. The time was 1:15 pm.Good. She got forty-five minutes until the proposed meeting with her workers for the planning of the big fashion runway coming up this fall. "I'm okay, Hannah at least I will be when this stupid matt quit making my life a living hell than it already is." she puffed out a frustrated sigh. "What did he do again?!" Hannah inquired sharply. "He showed up to my office looking
*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