Audrey's Pov We settled on having breakfast and my supposed doting husband sat beside me, Amelia looked red and angry while her mother just glared at my soul from across the table. They probably wished I was dead now, unfortunately, I don't plan on joining my mother anytime soon. I'm still stunned by the stunt Xander pulled out in front of them, not that I do not appreciate it but we never really discussed anything like getting intimate.My father sitting at the head of the table cleared his throat and everyone diverted their attention toward him, my stepmother wore a concerned look but I knew it was fake. “Are you alright Dad?” I asked and he nodded waving it off in a dismissive manner, I beckoned at a maid standing on the threshold of the kitchen. “Is there enough milk? Bring some for my father” I ordered and she rushed to go get some milk, my stepmother was still glaring at me like I did something wrong but I just ignored her. “You didn't have to, I'm not going to die anytime
Audrey's Pov I wasn't expecting my boyfriend to be Zachary, I was more than disappointed because it wasn't who I thought it was. My assistant brought him in and he wore a remorseful look, okay here we go again. “Hey, I... Um I just wanted to let you know that I didn't want to do it I was only following Amelia's introductions, she threatened to kill me if I didn't give in to her. She would never be like you and you know I love you too much” He finished his rubbish speech with his sad puppy face. “Are you done? Cause you need to leave” I affirmed and he went down on his knees like the pathetic asshole that he is, I roll my eyes at his facade. “You know how much I love you Baby please, I don't know what Xander told you but I know him, he lies and manipulates you to do things you don't want to do. He is using and the same way he did with your sister, just listen to me this one time and I swear I will never do you wrong again” He begged looking like a clown to me, “Are you still going
Audrey's Pov I left home earlier than I planned to the next day, not because I was running away from him but because I didn't know what to say to him. I don't need a soothsayer to tell me he meant those words he said to me, I don't even know what is his endgame in all these. But those words he said kept replaying inside my head all day long, I got a text when it was time for lunch and it was from Xander. Asking if we could have lunch together I badly wanted to say no but that would look weak so I accepted, “Ma'am you have a visitor” My assistant announced with flushed cheeks, I wouldn't blame her Xander is the kind of good-looking that slaps you on the face. Do I find him attractive? Yes, but I have no interest in claiming him. I don't even know what that means but it sounded so scary and possessive. He was standing outside my office with a bouquet of roses and my eyes widened, now I know why my assistant was giving me those looks. “Uh.. What's the occasion?” I asked as soon as
Audrey's Pov My blood boiled as I glared at the excessive amount of makeup on her artificial-looking face, she looked like she got some work done on her nose. She also looks like she got work done on her face with her plum lips looking like a duck, Xander turned at the last minute and she kissed his cheek instead. “Sarah, it's also nice to see you again. I guess you haven't changed much” He said in an exhausted tone, I just watched the interaction ignoring the thought feeling in my chest. I might have thought of leaving the table for them but I'm not a chicken and it will make it too obvious that I'm pissed at her for disrupting us, I'm not jealous I just hate the fact that he is paying her so much attention. “You know I love..” “Ahem” I cleared my throat interrupting her speech in case she forgot there was someone else there, she averted her gaze from Xander and her blue eyes fell on me with a frown on her face, then it was gone in a blink as if it wasn't there in the fi
Audrey's Pov I stood up to leave and he chuckled as I picked up my purse, “I have no intention of enduring this torture, lunch break is over I have work to do” I uttered blankly. “We are the bosses, that rule doesn't apply to us we can go back anytime” He probed but I had already made up my mind to leave, I would rather leave than hear him speak to me that way. I left the restaurant and went back to work leaving him to his devices, his driver can always go pick him up whenever he is ready to go. I finished all my work for the day and decided to go see my father, I didn't bother you to tell Xander I only told him I would be coming home late today, I drove straight to my father's house after leaving the parking lot. I was told that my father had a visitor when I got there, I wasn't surprised to see my father's attorney with some documents on his hand. “Hello Dad,” I smiled at him and his face brightened, “Audrey my dear, you came at the right time I was just writing my wi
Audrey's Pov By the time I got back to the living room my stepmother and Amelia were there with my father, Amelia frowned when she saw me coming out of the kitchen. I didn't want to cause any drama in front of my father so I bowed slightly and walked towards the exit, “You should visit us soon, come with your husband” Eric said then he started coughing again, our lawyer must have left because I didn't meet him here.“I will do just that” I replied walking out the door, however, my stupid sister followed me just like I presumed she would. “He is tired of you so soon? I wonder why you are always here when you are supposed to be with your dear husband, perhaps he doesn't love you and poor Audrey thought she got a second chance to love, unfortunately, she went to seek it where there is none” She mocked and I halted in my tracks. She is right, I took that bargain without thinking and I might be in for a loveless marriage of convenience for the rest of my life, was it really
Audrey's Pov My heart raced as he placed a little box in my hand as soon as I pulled away from our embrace, I smiled and opened the box a shiny diamond 'A' shaped necklace stared back at me. I gasped as it catches the light and it glittered as I turned it but I can't accept this gift, I can't accept this. I lied when I said I deserved him because we are in this marriage for a selfish reason. “Thank you, I don't understand why you did this anyway” I mumbled trying to sound ungrateful, he ignored my comment and pulled me towards the dining area then I spotted a beautiful cake on the dining table. “Wow, you really planned this whole thing all by yourself?” I asked bewildered, “No I had help from our housekeepers and the decoration team, I would have loved to throw a party but I didn't know if you would like that” He replied and I smiled at the purple and silver color balloons, I would be a fool if I say this doesn't make me feel special. “Thank you so much” I really appre
Audrey's Pov Did he just ask me to kiss him? I cleared my throat pretending to be thinking about it but I already made up my mind. “I thought we agreed on asking for something less outrageous,” I remarked and he chuckled. “I guess that is a no then, I'm not surprised that you refused” He chuckled cutting more meat and transferring the pieces into my plate, “I'm sorry, you can ask for something else, anything that doesn't involve intimacy” I asserted. He didn't say anything or even try to protest so I let it go, “Are you going to ask me questions now?” I asked as soon as I was done with my food, he stayed silent cutting the cake and placing a piece on another plate beside me, “Eat first, we will talk after you are done” He mumbled and I nodded. I gave up on eating after three big pieces of cake and the amount of meat I ate was enough, I couldn't try the other dishes so I called for the staff to clear the table and gave the rest. They thanked me and I was worried
Author’s povThe police quickly surrounded Daniel, cuffing him as he groaned on the floor. Blood trickled from his nose, and his face was twisted in anger and humiliation.“You’ll regret this, Xander!” Daniel spat, glaring up at his brother.Xander leaned down, his expression calm but firm. “Regret? That’s something you should feel for all the lives you’ve ruined. It’s over, Daniel.”As Daniel struggled against his restraints, the head of police stepped forward. He pulled out a list of charges and began reading them aloud.“Daniel Clarkson, you are being charged with the following: the kidnapping of Mrs. Wright, the attempted murder of Xander Clarkson, embezzlement from your family’s company, obstruction of justice, and numerous other crimes. You’ll be facing a long time in prison.”Daniel’s face contorted with rage. “None of it is true!” he shouted. “This is a setup! You’re all working against me!”“Your corrupt cop was also seen running off and right now he’s willing to testify agai
Author’s povMrs. Wright sat in the dark room, straining her ears for the movements of her captors. It had been a few hours since they taken her from her old place and brought her to this new place, hours marked by terror and solitude and confusion. But something inside had changed that night. Something told her she couldn’t be captive anymore. With newfound resolve, Mrs. Wright steeled herself and tiptoed to the door.The house was still; her captors didn’t suspect a thing when they had gone to bed earlier. Mrs. Wright cautiously unlocked the door, afraid of its creaking as she turned the knob to let herself out into the night air that was cool and freeing.She was done hiding. This time, she was going to save herself.The road stretched before her was infinite in the dark. She knew that with each step she took away from her prison it was another opportunity to get to her son and get out a solution. Her heart was beating both in fear and anticipation of the worst. She ran through t
Daniel’s povI stormed out of his office, hot blood rushed through my veins. How dare he? Who the hell does this man think he is? Some kind of a superhero coming to ‘save’ the company. He was going too far and asking too much. I got out of the company and headed for my car as I sat down there and leaned back in it. I was so angry I couldn’t hold myself back.My hands gripped tightly around my steering wheel; those knuckles were all white as if they were screaming ‘help!’ in some invisible way. In anger, I punched my steering wheel a couple of times before leaning back in my seat.I then turned the ignition and drove directly to the warehouse where I had everything under control—my men, my operations, and my future. It was a sanctuary of sorts for me, a place where I could reorganize my thoughts and plans without any distractions or disturbances. A couple of my men were already there when I arrived.They all stood up as soon as they saw me enter, feeling the unrest radiating off me. “
Audrey’s povI clearly remembered the drive to the cabin that morning. I’d driven so slowly, looking in the rearview mirror every few seconds to make sure I wasn’t being followed. The streets had been practically empty, but everything had felt still and foreboding because of it. When I had gotten to the place, I had parked a few hundred meters from the cabin itself, hiding my car behind some trees before continuing on foot.The closer I got to the cabin, the more uneasy I felt. Something was very wrong. The place looked abandoned—deserted—but it wasn’t just that. It was something else; something I couldn't explain.“Mrs wright?” I asked while staying at the door and knocking. I hoped no one would bash my head in as I opened it inwards as it groaned under my hand as I gave it a push so I could step inside.The sight that met my eyes made my stomach plummet. The entire cabin was in shambles. Furniture was flipped over, papers were strewn across the floor, and a faint acrid smell wafted
Xander’s povI sat in my office, the door closed behind me as I went through the financial reports once more. My anger simmered beneath the surface. It was bad enough that the company was in such a state, but the audacity of the board to act like nothing was wrong infuriated me. My father had worked too hard to build this company, and I wasn’t about to let it crumble under their watch—or Daniel’s.Just as I was contemplating my next move, there was a sharp knock on the door. Before I could answer, one of the board members stepped in, closing the door behind him. He was an older man, someone who had been with the company for decades, yet his face now looked pale and nervous.“Mr. Xander,” he started, his voice shaking, “I need to talk to you.”I reclined back in my chair, signaling for him to continue. “What is it?” I questioned, but I already knew he didn’t come here to help me with anything but to stress me.The man hesitated, and then he leaned forward a little. “I think you should
Xander’s povI was in my company office gazing at the files lying on my table. My secretary had compiled every possible document pertaining to the financial record of the company and I was growing more angry after going through it. How was it not tallying? Who drew this large amount of money, the supporting bills and receipts were in no record?I could see lots of money being removed from the company but there was no mention of them being used for the company again. Why was this a thing?I called for my assistance as she appeared before me.“Is this all?” I asked as she nodded.“Yes, Mr. Xander. I think this is all there is available in the system…”“You think?” I interrupted her as she gulped.“It is all I could find in the system.”I leaned back in my chair and drummed my fingers on my desk. “This doesn’t make any sense… Someone has been withdrawing money at absurd rates recently, and with no record of what it’s being used for? How the hell does that work?”She didn’t answer, but sh
Daniel’s povI smiled after hearing his voice. Xander, always so easy to rile up. “Calm down, baby brother,” I scoffed. Taking another sip of my drink as I got to my feet to face him. “I was merely conversing with her. No need to get your knickers in a twist.”He stepped closer, glowering. “I said, stay away from her.”I saluted him sarcastically and stepped back a pace or two. “Okay, okay. Chill out if it bothers you so much.”As I walked away, I glanced back at Xander over my shoulder. “You should really learn to relax,” I drawled, mocking him as much as possible. “It’s bad for your health, all this stress you carry around.”Walking through the doors out of the pool area with self-satisfaction rolling off me in waves, I didn’t care about Xander and his anger. Not when they were both going to be defeated very soon.Back in my room, I poured myself another drink and stared out the window. It was a clear blue night with stars in the sky, but I wasn’t looking at the sky or the stars or
Daniel’s povLola’s body went rigid and her face turned a shade of red that clashed horribly with her hair. “Audrey?” she screeched.“Yes,” I said, nodding. “Why would she do this to me?”I shrugged. “I don’t know. But she must have seen that maybe Xander was looking at you a certain way and she just wanted you out of the equation.”Lola laughed cynically, and shook her head. “Audrey is going to regret this.” She said, “She honestly believes that nobody is going to stop her? For real.”I said nothing, just letting her stew. If nothing else, getting angry at Audrey took her mind off what had happened. "Wow, you look like hell," I said, taking a step back from the chart."Gee, really? How would you have guessed?" she snapped and rolled her eyes at me.I smirked, leaning against the wall. “You’re lucky to be alive, you know.”Her glare seemed to darken at my words. “If your people were competent at making sure no harm came to you and I, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place!”
Audrey’s pov“No,” I said, just as firmly. “But we can’t do anything stupid either. Any wrong step in this thing and it could throw us all over the edge. We just found her, let’s be careful and tail her for a while while trying to know what’s going on.”He gave a long heavy sigh and rubbed his fingers across his forehead. His eyes looked miserable because he knew I was right."Let's think this through," I said softly, resting my hand on his arm. "We'll find a solution for her. But we have to do it right."Reluctantly, he nodded, but his shoulders drooped in defeat. "Okay," he whispered. "But we need to hurry. I don't think she can last much longer."I nodded with both relief and determination. ***Daniel’s povI was in the car already heading to the house when I got a call from my men. “Boss, we have a problem.”“What is it?” I growled while clutching the wheel.“Mrs. Wright brought a stranger into the house she is hiding in, and now that we’ve arrived, the person is gone.”I frowne