Sebastian's POVI split from Adrian after his horrible accusation.Ava doesn’t like Scar, sure. But she would never commit a crime. I don’t believe the innocent angel I met would suddenly turn capable of harming someone with cold blood.24 hours have passed, and the cops found nothing. All they were able to do was to determine that both girls left home willingly, and disappeared from the security camera’s blind spots. How much does it take to fucking cover the city with some damn cameras?!I don’t fucking need Adrian and his police bud! I’ve got friends, too! I filed a formal missing person’s request through a friend, claiming that I have reason to believe that my wife was abducted and being transported out of the city, and the feds were more than happy to intervene.With one of the girls missing being my wife, and both of them my close acquaintances, I was questioned thoroughly before being kept on site --The FBI determined this abduction case a crime targetting me, and though it’s
Sebastian’s POVI mean, I can’t be sure that I have never seen him in my life, and that can be the smidgen of familiarity I feel looking at his photo. And my heart drops--It’s much harder if it’s a random guy instead of the owner who did this.“Fuck!” I rub my head, throwing the photos on the sofa hard. The splash does not ease my nerves.“It’s okay,” Jim is leaving, but he stops and pats my shoulder instead, “We are not tracing the owner, but the car. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”“So what’s your deal with Adrian?” I ask Jim, knowing he is trying to comfort me. He knows Adrian, too. Actually, I knew Jim through Adrian. Jim is two years our senior in college.“We let him know, if the kidnapper ever calls you.” Jim shrugs.He doesn’t think the kidnapper would. After all, it has been more than a day. If it's ransom a kidnapper is after, they would contact immediately. So why haven’t they??Anything could have happened in 24 hours. What if it wasn’t abduction? What if it was human tra
Scarlett’s POVThe guy left the room, leaving us tied to the chair for a whole day.I know because while the window opens to what seems like the inside of an abandoned building, the change of light still somewhat indicates time. But knowing that doesn’t help us at all. The dangerous stranger is no longer our biggest threat --Hunger is.We haven’t had food, or even water for a very long time.“Where did he go?! Is he just going to leave us like this forever?!”Some hours ago, Ava was capable of vigorous complaints like this, and now she can barely talk.But she has a point. If the guy just left us at a random abandoned building, then there is less of a chance for anyone to locate us while he can go and get all the alibi he needs. And condemning him is not even the problem because we would have died way before that could happen.My stomach groans.My appetite has grown bigger since the pregnancy. The baby has grown used to his aunt Aurora and aunt Lilith feeding him all kinds of cuisine
Scarlett’s POV“I’m sorry for your loss, but this is the first time I’m hearing about this,” I talk to the guy, and taking a glimpse into his sad story, I find it easier to talk in a sympathy tone, “May I know her name?”He shoots me a glare, but he grumbles: “Sparrow. Sparrow Ryan.”“That’s a cute name,” I try to smile at him. I actually feel like I do know that name. My brain stores a glimpse of that name because it was so special. But I can’t remember what happened to her. It wasn’t registered anywhere near Sebastian though.If her death had anything to do with Sebastian, I would know. I picked up everything about him like drops of treasures.“Wait, I know her!” Ava suddenly takes a surprised gasp, “She jumped off a building for Justin Roland! She was his stalking fan--”Did her energy-lacking brain malfunction? All words out of Ava are products of serious calculation, always. I have never seen her blurting things so recklessly against her innocent act.She realized her mistake eve
Sebastian’s POVHis name doesn’t ring a bell, but his daughter’s does.The moment I realized it was the kidnapper speaking, I put the call on speaker and wrote down the name for Jim. They pulled out his whole life with lightning speed.But I didn’t need that anymore.Justin Roland was a talented actor, but being a nobody, he had never got any role deserving of his talent before I signed him four years ago. Struggling with tuition for college, he was going to drop out of high school to be a model. Upon hearing that, I offered him a movie under the condition that he would go through college. He did, with excellent grades.The girl, Sparrow Ryan was a high school classmate of his. I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, so let’s just stick with the fact that Roland had a high school sweetheart who he married last year, and the Ryan girl did not like that.She jumped off a building on Roland’s wedding day.I normally don’t follow this detailedly into events like this happening in one of my
Sebastian’s POVJim makes an “okay” gesture at me at the same time. They traced Liam Ryan’s location and he is telling the truth. Jim raises a paper at me, on which it wrote [stall, planting sniper].“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I speak into my phone, trying to think of anything to say to stall without him noticing, “Do you want me to bring Justin Roland with me? You think he is the murderer, no?”He pauses, obviously taken by surprise at my suggestion.“That’s true...yeah, take that bastard,” He grumbles, “His wife, too!”“Okay, I’ll pick them up on my way over,” I assure him, walking out as I keep talking, “I didn’t know this had anything to do with his wife though?”“That bitch spared no effort mudding my sparrow!”“But--”“Stop stalling and shut the fuck up! Or I might just kill one, just to pass time!”He hangs up. I glance at Jim, and he nods: “You did good. I’ll come with. Brief me about this Justin person?”Honestly, there isn’t much to tell. Justin has been with his curr
Sebastian’s POVJim took the shotgun. Upon Justin’s words, he exchanges a glance with me in the rear mirror with an unexplainable look. That’s a look mixed with confusion, surprise, and condemnation.Condemn that the story I told him was obviously biased. I told him what I heard from Justin, and because I trusted Justin, I assumed that was the truth. I forgot how people can make mistakes, even if they meant well. I don’t think Justin lied to me, but I think he didn’t tell the whole story because...He didn’t know the whole truth.Justin looks me right in the eyes, and I see a lost kid who is crying for help with the desperation in the tears twirling in there.“Justin, tell me what happened,” Using a firm but gentle tone, I grab the back of his neck and knead, like how I did with my little brother, “You can tell me. I’m here for you.”“I don’t know...!” The moment he opens his mouth, he burst into a hysterical rant, “I’m so fucking tired! I don’t know what to do! Everything I do is hor
Sebastian’s POVWe didn’t show up in front of Liam Ryan right away.If his goal was to hurt me, then there is no telling what he would do when he sees me. If he pushes one of the girls off at the sight of me, then everything is lost. We stopped the car far away from the building, and approached by foot. I wanted to leave Justin in the car, but he insisted on sticking with us just in case his absence would rile up Liam Ryan.He is a good kid, when it comes to serious business. He is just lost...blind, to his own feelings.I still think that Sparrow Ryan’s death cast a shadow on his would-have-been-perfect marriage, but it could be my own personal feelings talking. I just see a lot of me and Ava in Justin. He and Annie wanted each other, and they shared a special past that can’t be replaced. The only difference is, I caved into my Sparrow when he married his Ava.If Sparrow Ryan didn’t brand their marriage with her death, then Justin wouldn’t be such a mess. Her desire for Justin turned
Prepared for this question, Scar answers unnecessarily fast: “I couldn’t risk anyone helping Ava to get MY Mom’s necklace. That’s why.”Her answer dims the pleasant light in Sebastian’s eyes.“I know…” Sebastian nods slowly, hiding the disappointment in his eyes, “But you didn’t have to come help because of that, did you?”Scar snorts coldly: “I’m doing this for Granny, not you.”“Granny kicked me out of the company for what happened five years ago,” Sebastian lets out a light laugh, “I’m pretty sure she would be the last one who would want you to help me right now.”Scar raises her eyebrows. She didn’t think Granny would be so cruel to Sebastian, but then again, there weren’t too many who could rip Sebastian’s title easily.“What did you tell her?” Scar frowns.Scar blamed Sebastian only because he trusted the wrong person. Legally, or any other aspect speaking, he wasn’t the killer five years ago. He just protected the killer was all. But Ava was never convicted, and Scar didn’t thi
“You want to meet early?” Scar glances at her phone to make sure the caller is indeed Damian, “Sure thing, but how early can dinner be?”She’s a bit surprised that Damian would move their dinner plan forward, but considering how he has been making effort to build a connection, she persuaded herself.“Authur, could you--?”“Yes, Miss Green,” Authur answers swiftly, “After you deliver the card, I will drive you right over.”Scar: “…”This time she’s really not trying to dodge that bullet! Didn’t he hear that it was Damian Vanderbilt who--… Whatever.Standing in front of Sebastian’s new building, Scar is still grumbling Silco’s name, along with his evil loyal driver, Author. Sebastian’s new building is not the same as before – the modern design of Z-house as its own symbol. This time it’s just a normal building, low-key to the extreme, considering its owner’s usual luxurious style.A sour wave washes Scar’s heart.Kind and gentle, Sebastian was never low-key. He was the shining prince of
“Why do I have to do it myself?!” Scar huffs, glaring at Silco.Sitting on the sofa casually with his legs crossed, Silco glances at Scar from above the papers he’s reading, amused. A moment ago the girl was crying in his arms, and now she’s like a kitten with her tail stomped on.“I can send Arthur over!” Scar pouts.“If you can command him,” Silco answers almost gently, but the laughter in his voice is not hidden at all.Scar rolls her eyes.“I’ll just--I--” Scar blurts, fidgeting around, “You already gave up on Sebastian’s company, so why are you making the one last step so hard for me?!”“Sorry, I didn’t think delivering a card to a fancy office building with a driver at your service all the time would be a horrifying chore,” Silco answers, still with that annoying smile.“You KNOW that’s not what I’m talking about!” Scar snaps angrily. If she had been grateful to this man with her full heart a moment ago, she is now annoyed 120%, “You can send anyone but me!”“I’m spending two bi
All the way home Scar feels like something stuffed in her chest. Over and over again she tells herself that she doesn’t care about Johnny Vanderbilt, but it doesn’t seem to work.A car seemed to have followed her for a while, but it was gone at the last turn.She lives in a house in the upper part of the town now, a community better and safer than the Fuller’s villa. Silco rented her this place, along with the guards. When she arrives, Silco is not yet home.Scar throws herself into the sofa, frustrated about Johnny Vanderbilt, and herself. Not only did she have to take all the garbage about him from Jack Fuller, but she also had to see with her own eyes that the man was not interested in making up with her. Not that she cares, but still, it doesn’t feel good.She is getting mixed information about that man.In Damian’s eyes he was a loving husband, a strict father who spoils his own daughter. But Emma left him for cheating, Anna was convinced that he was still into her, and from what
With Ava and Jack Fuller hovering at the front door, Scar doesn’t even step out of the elevator, but just remains inside for the underground parking lot. She is so drowned in Damian’s words that she barely makes it out before the door closes on her—“You are a lot like Mom,”That’s what he said. Even now Scar’s heart is pumping fast at that. Is she? She doesn’t even remember being held in that woman’s arms. She doesn’t remember the home she briefly stayed in. She doesn’t even remember the car accident which should have left some impression even in her childish mind.But she grew up into a woman a lot like her angel-like mother?What did she blurt? She was so daunted in the face that she murmured: “I have always imagined her to be like one of those…”Elegant ladies. Those who would sit in a café at 3pm, watching out the window with 20-dollar-coffee in hand.“Like a lady, huh?” Damian grins, seeing through her easily, “Nahhhh. Far from it. Mom is cool, almost hippy like. She would drive
I got Mom’s necklace. Even when completing the process in the office after the auction, it still feels surreal. Anna Fuller’s appearance was unexpected, but what was the real surprise was how easily Johhny Vanderbilt gave up on the necklace in the end when I called my price.I can’t take the necklace away, not till the bank processes the deal. But I got all the papers the Fuller’s provided for its authenticity. Finally, the first step of my revenge, is grasped in my palm. The plan is to get the papers and send them to prison –Silco would freeze the card after I win the necklace, giving me exactly three days to prove the Fuller’s guilty on faking the files. I want Mom’s necklace, but I don’t plan on making that bloodsucking family billionaires by buying something originally mine from them.It’s them who have to pay.“So…” I turn to Damian, feeling a bit awkward. I have been really mean to him ever since I met him, and yet he came to my help today without hesitation. I’d be lying if I
The love-and-hatred show is still on as Scar and Damian quarrel. Johnny Vanderbilt would raise his plate instantly after the host announces Anna’s call or even faster, and Anna would pout, bite her lips, and glare over before she raises again. Her face is like a painting plate, changing color in seconds as if every one of his calls is like a bomb blowing up on her face.The phone call comes in at that moment--Anna’s phone rings, breaking the silence in the room, loud and clear. She glances at it with an indifferent face, not picking it up. But her hand hesitates to raise her plate again.“Who could be calling her?” Scar murmurs to Damian. All of Anna’s family is down there by her side. Her parents died years ago. So who could be so important to her that a phone call from him could hesitate her decision?Seeing all these, Johnny Vanderbilt suddenly raises his plate again, this time announcing himself: “Two billion.”Anna’s tears break out as her hand drapes powerlessly -- it’s not the
Tears flow down Anna Fuller’s cheeks, the plate raised halfway in her hand is shaking hard because she was not expecting Johnny Vanderbilt to be so cruel to her—He knew she was going for the necklace, and he did not only bid for it, but actually gave her a price that told her to keep away from it.One billion. What a cold number.Jack Fuller didn’t want her to come. In fact, Jack Fuller didn’t tell her about the auction of the necklace. But she knew. She knows everything about Johnny Vanderbilt, the man who was supposed to be on the sacred altar with her. How could Jack Fuller expect her to not come?Ava is beyond excitement at Johnny Vanderbilt’s bid – to Ava, it’s just a number unnecessarily high for an item they stole with a reserve price low as 30 million. But whatever. Maybe the riches just like to brag about how much money they have. The more the better – for her.The item is listed under her name, and she takes the bigger part of the final price.Scar raises her plate in a has
Scar didn’t think it would go this smoothly.She prepared several other reasons and actually rehersed in her head on her speech to persuade Damian, who known to be an ironwrist in the courtroom, shouldn’t be persuaded easily. But maybe just eager to maintain the peace with his long lost sister, Damian jumped on board without so much as a nudge.All parties are set, and now between Scar and the necklace, remains only “the last minute”.Everyone knows “once, twice, sold,” but few know that after the host announces the upset price, bidders have 60 seconds before the item is announced unsold. This time is called “the last minute” because it’s the most crucial battle between bidders—to decide, fake, trick, or hide their strategies over an item.You don’t want to show your cards too early too clearly. Some would wait for the last few seconds to call, and others use this time to feel out the bottom price from other bidders. Once the first call is announced, it’s a bloody war.Ava wants an un