MADAME BROWNE'S POVI paced towards it— the frame.Even after decades of death, he still looked just as dashing as the man I once called mine. His green eyes stared back at mine and burned a hole in my chest.I fiddled lightly, tilting my head in the direction of the door sharply. No one was supposed to come in here. The soft silence in the room braced the erratic beatings of my heart in my chest as I turned my gaze back at the figure of the frame.My fingers leaped forward quite effortlessly, it's tips gripping the wooden edges of the frame. I felt the hollow feeling that soared through my chest on most occasions.The man in the picture was gone.The last memory I had of him was when Lucas ran his bullets into his chest. I watched him bleed away, alongside that slut, Mary, his wife.She was the one that took him away from me. I'd always loved David with all my heart but after we severed the bond at the end of college, I felt jealous ever since. I know the info I'm spilling must be c
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Madame Browne!” I heard a series of voices calling my name.My breath hitched in my chest at the sound as I turned my gaze steely to the direction the sound came from? Who was that?I arched my back sharply, clenching both my jaw and my fists as my grip on the frame tightened. I paced towards the door to my room, my heart racing erratically in my chest.Once I arrived at the door frame, I stared into the circular glass that enabled me to see who was approaching the room. Despite the glass lenses being dusty and blurry, I could still make out some of the figured of the people approaching the door.They were males— tall and heavily built.I tried to shift my eyes to other details that could help but there was nothing— nothing other than the blurry uniform they had on. I recognized it immediately, it was that of Jason's men.They were exactly the ones I had sent to deflate the tires to all of Xavier's cars. Why were they back?Worry seared into my blood as I swallow
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “How fast can you cook up a scandal?” I asked, my voice calm yet rising. The silence that followed my voice was ravishing the glimmers of impatience that seared into my veins whenever I thought of watching several media houses cook up false lies to the public about Xavier.I wanted them all to tag him as a scumbag, someone who cheated on his wife. This was going to be the best punishment for someone who had the audacity to openly insult my husband in front of the board of directors.I bet Lucas would enjoy it too. I clenched my jaw softly, trying to hold back the content that came from just thinking about getting revenge. This was definitely going to be worth every second I put in it.My gaze shifted over to the red wine that was in my glass cup. It had go e down and was due for a refill but I wouldn't do that just yet.I had to confirm from the lady standing in front of me first. She had everythingI had listed to the agency. They scouted the perfect fit for the
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “I forgot to ask, what is your name?” My voice echoed against the walls of the room, sending shivers down not just my spine but hers also. I moved my gaze to the figure standing in front of me.The soft golden hues of lights hung over her slim features. I watched her run her finger into my hair as if caressing it slowly before finally speaking, “It's Rochelle.”“Rochelle,” I repeated, nodding slowly. I stared at her for a second in admiration. She had just everything that was needed for the role.It would all be more than enough to ruin Xavier's reputation so that once it's Lucas's turn in the 21 days challenge, he wouldn't have to do much. I figured that out along the way. The mind of most humans worked with a certain logic and if you could crack it, you could as well rule over them.The plan was simple. Once Xavier's reputation is ruined in front of the board of directors, they will immediately vote for Lucas knowing fully he isn't really fitted for the role
XAVIER'S POV I woke up early the next morning to the soft brush of Ella's fingers on my face. I opened my eyes slowly, a yawn tearing out of my lips.I stretched my arms disorientedly as I reached forward to grip her head. “How was your night?” Her voice was warm as I raised my back from the bed and placed a kiss on her forehead.She smiled softly. Seeing her smile made me feel so happy and filled with support. I brushed off loose strands of her hair with my fingers and fixed them to the back of her ears.“You look beautiful today darling,” I complemented, admiring her for a moment before I got up from the bed.“Thank you, hearing your complements make my heart flutter with joy.” She said and I smiled as I flexed my muscles.“What's the time now?” I asked, my breaths coming out in ragged puffs.“Relax, I woke up up early so you could meet up earliest with the second day at the office. I wouldn't want any Madame Browne scheme to stand in the way of you getting there early.” Ella remar
XAVIER'S POV “What are we going to do now sir?” My driver asked. “I don't still know yet, can't you double check. How can all the cars have they're tires deflated that is just impossible.” I countered, frustration steaming in my veins.I shifted my gaze over to the fleet of cars in the parking lot. They were all over a hundred and something and yet somehow, they're tires had been deflated.There was none I could use. My fists clenched instinctively and my heartbeat increased erratically. I couldn't let this happen. This was part of her antiques.Madame Browne.This was probably part of another one of her sick games.“I have an important meeting I must not miss, it's really important. I don't still understand how all the tires were suddenly deflated who could be behind it?” I ranted, even though I knew fully well it was all Madame Browne's handiwork.She was the mastermind behind all of this.She orchestrated this pull just to delay me and make me go late to the meeting with the sha
XAVIER'S POV My heart leaped in my chest the instant I heard my driver had found a car that the tires weren't deflated. I flashed a glance at Madame Browne, her eyes were bright with shock and confusion.“Are you shocked Madame Browne?” I asked, my voice sharp. I heard a low grunt slip out of her lips as she Immediately fized her expression, her lips pressing into a tight line.“No, if anything I am happy for you. After all, you can still get to the office within 1hour.” Her tone dripped of clear, direct sarcasm.I fiddled slightly and turned in the direction of my driver. “Take me there I need to first check up on it to be sure.” I said and he led the way to where the car was parked.I followed my driver into the rows of cars, eyeing each and every one of their tires. Like he said, they were all deflated and weren't able to be driven. I strolled past the rows with a nerving sensation lingering in my chest.I clenched my fists to my sides and dug my fingers into my flesh. My breaths
XAVIER'S POVAfter what felt like an eternity, I opened my lips with short breaths rolling out. I clenched my fists and eyed the car one last time.The bright red color of the car glistened hauntingly, shining like something cut out from a expensive antique collection magazine. “So what do you say, Xavier?” Madame Browne's voice sliced through the fog of tension that encircled me. My fists tightened even more as I released a low grumble feeling emotions that burned me hard in the chest.I remembered each and every words of the president the time he told me about my parents. I dreaded the car so much I had the president place it among his fleet of antique collection at the back row of the parking lot just so I wouldn't be able to see it.I felt my body release a spasm of pain upon the numbing mockery in her voice. I gulped, sweats cascading down my jaw as I felt the air running through my throat grow thin with each whiff.I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to bring myself to say so
XAVIER'S POV My breath hitched in my chest at the sight of the incoming figure. Who was that? I arched my brows in fear as I prepared myself for what I was about to see.I shifted my gaze slowly, dragging it with remorse in the direction of the figure standing beside the maid.I wasn't sure who it was yet but for the first time in forever, I was curious.From the shadow of her figure I could already project the figure's sex. She was a female, dressed in a flay gown. My heart raced in my chest as I felt droplets of sweats cling to my oily forehead. Some rolled down my forehead while some clung desperately to my forehead as I finally summoned up the courage to stare at the person's face.I started from the shoes at first.I dragged my gaze over to the shoes and I was met with the sight of a flat pair of patent shoes that could have only been worn by one person in the entire Mckinney mansion.Ella.A wrinkled smile tugged at my lips and my eyes lit up as I opened my lips to speak but n
XAVIER'S POVThe rest of the run from the meeting room to the mansion was long. I recalled running out of the elevator and sprinting into the reception like a loose madman with just one thing in my mind.Ella.I couldn't stand to loose her.In as much as I didn't want to sound helpless, she was all I had and neither Madame Brown's tricks nor Rochelle's acting could take her away from me. My family wasn't going to be split apart by their baseless act.I was going to get back at Madame Browne for what she did to me.That was a promise. I would keep it dear.I sprinted past the office of the receptionist and her voice beamed from behind as I halted to a stop. “Mr Xavier!” Her tone was high pitched with an edge of worry and concern flashing in it. I turned steely with my chest heaving heavily as I stared at her. “What is that?” I prowled through gnashed teeth as I paced towards her. I walked all the way to the counter and banged my fists on the counter. “Speak up!” My voice thundered a
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat down on the chair near the snack table with a gleam of satisfaction washing through my veins as I gripped a nearby glass of wine from the snack desk.This was going to be fun.I could already tell.I watched the shareholders all gather around Rochelle like moths to a flame, feeding desperately on the flickers of lies she distilled. They were fools but it felt good to finally make them all my fools.A dark grin tugged at my lips as I raised the wine glass to my lips. My eyes were fixed on the scene, watching the one drama I'd prepare myself for beforehand.To the shareholders, this was a shocking revelation that urged them to have a rethink but to me? To me, this was like a drama, a scene I'd orchestrated for days. Everything went right, Rochelle did extraordinarily well and I gotta stay under the spotlight and so did Lucas.The shareholders had all fallen into our traps and all I had to do right now was to sit back and relax. Thin strips of malice lit up in
XAVIER'S POV I decided to do one thing before I allowed the shareholders to jump to conclusions. I could beat them at their own games, it wasn't too late yet.I moved to the other side of the room where the shareholders were gathered around the pregnant lady that stood her ground that I was in a relationship with her.She was crying, soft fake sobs tearing through the air as I smirked. The gazes of the shareholders flickered sharply over to me and I felt waves of shock trudged down my spine as I felt my body freeze rapidly. “Before you all jump to conclusions I believe we first have to go over the basics first,” I beamed and caught a glimpse of shock and anger in Madame Browne's eyes. I could've sworn I heard her grunt before she cut me off, “Oh what basics Xavier? Can't you just own up to your mistakes already and stop trying to turn the tables when we all know that you did all she said you did!” The tension in the air rose alongside the voices but I ignored them all, focusing m
XAVIER'S POVOh, I get it all now.Madame Browne was doing it again but this time around, the trick she had up her sleeves could ruin everything I thought I had.My reputation was about to be dragged through the mud and the thought of being tied to the spot was irritating even for me. I wanted to do something but it would only get worse.Madame Browne's paid actress was acting so good that anything I said or did wouldn't be believed by the shareholders. They'd all snagged up her words as she delivered them, delivering her lines with an Oscar worthy performance.I stayed frozen on the spot, holding on desperately to the last fading threads of restraint I had left in me. My eyes were flushed with rage and my fists were balled up like I was about to start a fight.I couldn't afford to have them trample over me like that. I had to do something— anything!I paced towards the shareholders, snagging the pictures from their hands as I inspected everyone. As I glanced at them, I felt a flush o
ELLA'S POV THREE HOURS AGO.I was doing the chores in the kitchen when I heard the door pull open. I ignored the sound thinking it was another kitchen staff stepping into the kitchen but It wasn't.I fixed my gaze on the cabbage I was cutting when I felt her presence. Madame Browne. She was here.I raised my hand immediately like someone in a trance as I flashed my gaze at her. She was standing proudly at the other side of the kitchen counter where I was chopping the cabbage. Her eyes loomed over me like a laser and I just couldn't help but frown in shock and confusion. What did she mean by what she was doing?Why was she staring?Madame Browne was never the one to stare at one, especially when I was doing a chore. The only times she stared at me was either with jealousy or disgust.But this time, she had a suspicious smile plastered on her lips. It haunted me, sending jolts of fear and panic into my veins as I missed a spot and sliced my finger.It was a low cut but it hurt as I pu
XAVIER'S POV If you think you're just as shocked as me right now, I recommend you check again because things are going haywire right now.The air in the room was bridled with tension that seared endlessly, my thoughts went wild for a moment and so did my heartbeat. The receding beeps I used to feel in my chest now faded off and I could've sworn I had an out-of-body experience with the lady.The raging sounds of gasps from the shareholders faded off and I felt myself loosen into a void, one where I'm stuck with the pregnant lady standing nearby. She flashed me a seductive wink and I stepped back in shock, adrenaline pulsing through my veins as my breath hitched.She was standing dangerously close. I could sniff her cologne from where I stood, it had a cheap air to it that turned my stomach. I tried to step back, hoping she wouldn't take another step closer but before I could do that, she pulled her head closer as if aiming to whisper something.“You'll know me very soon Xavier,” her t
XAVIER'S POV I could feel it in my veins.The president was hiding something from me and I won't stop until I find out what exactly it is. I clenched my fists for a second, following him with a thin gaze. I traced his movements down to where he arrived at the door where a masculine figure stood. Lucas. A wave of disgust crashed in me and I sniffed softly, the intensity of his gaze brushing through my skin. His eyes loomed brighter than any light I'd ever seen. His stance was a perfect replica of a predator, dark green eyes that burned right through me.The cold wind in the room crashed into me as I felt my neck hair stiffen. The room was silent for a while save for the soft screeches of the president's wheelchair.He was about wheeling out of the room when I opened my lips and called for him. “I’ll help you with that.” My voice tore through the fog of unspoken tension and I walked over to to where he stood.I stretched my hands and gripped the handles of the wheelchair before pushi
XAVIER'S POV I strolled into the elevator feeling the weight of Alex's gaze on me. After stepping in, the doors pulled closed slowly and I caught the glimmers of fear that bubbled up in his eyes.I could sense his doubts and worry from where I stood but I ignored it either way. I had to get one last thing done, I had to get to the conference room and make sure my uncle was pulling any tricks.I hummed through the rest of the ride and as soon as the door chimed open, I paced into the hallway. My chest heaved lightly as I wiped off the droplets of sweats that clung to my forehead.From afar, I could already hear the soft chattering of distant voices. Some were thick like that of mens and the others were soft and sultry like that of the females.They were all mingling casually, greeting each other with warm voices and soft giggles. I was about taking the last step to towards the door when I heard it.A voice.A knot formed in my stomach as I paused in my tracks, listening closely.The v