Bryan Knight.

Bryan is missing.

Bryan Knight is missing!

Malcolm raked his fingers through his styled hair as his icy cerulean eyes shot daggers at the six men standing in front of him. A dangerous murderous intent filled the air.

  “How the hell did this happen?” his voice was low but it carried a tinge of anger. “You mean six hefty men could not handle a six-year-old? Are you showing me how incompetent you all are?”

They all fell on their knees without a word.

Scoffing, he dipped his palms into his pant pockets. “Scar!”

A man dressed in complete black stepped forward from behind, “Yes Boss.”

  “Lock them up. Make sure none get even a drop of water until my son is found.”

  “Yes Boss.” Scar turned his gaze to the six kneeling men and immediately, they got on their feet and followed him without a struggle.

Lauren carefully parked the bike in its designated corner with a sigh. She was done with her last job for the day—home delivery.

She stretched her taut muscles, not feeling a bit tired. She was used to it after all. She was used to being subjected to so much stress. Without a word, she checked out of the building and began the journey home on foot. How her life had become this miserable to the extents of working so many jobs a day was something she couldn’t explain. All she knew was that it got worse since two years ago when her very wealthy father suddenly went bankrupt. Rumours had it that he had a fallout with the almighty Knight family. The Knight family were the richest family in the whole country. They were like royalty. A family that controlled both the power and finance of the country. Even the president respected them. Just a word from their blue-eyes merciless head could banish someone from the country or even doomed for life.

They were like the gods in the movie ‘gods of Egypt’.

The Knight empire was ruled by the unfeeling billionaire CEO of Knight Industries, Malcolm Knight. According to rumours he was as gorgeous as a Greek god and as unfeeling as the devil himself. She heard he killed people who offended him without a flinch. His name alone sent shivers down people’s spine.

Well, that was none of her business, so long as she never come in contact with this demon.

People like her didn’t belong in their class anyways. He was the untouchable high-and-mighty CEO while she was the illegitimate, unrecognized daughter of the Byrne family—a one-time very wealthy family. Her father, Warren Byrne, ran the family business while her stepmother—well, she didn’t know if she even worked!

  “Hey! Watch where you’re going!”

Lauren jolted out of her reverie, startled. She had been so lost in thoughts that she didn’t notice that she had diverted from the pedestrian walk into the road. Eyes widened, she offered a quick apology and hurried back to the pedestrian walk. No more thoughts, Lauren. No more sick thoughts.

She was tired of trying to figure everything out herself.

Soon she diverted to a lonely route. It was her usual route home and she loved it not just because of the beautiful lake there but because of the quiet scenario. It always brought peace to her troubled mind. Sitting on the on the grass with folded legs, she plugged in her headpiece and shut her eyes as a serene music filled her ears. All of a sudden, the world was far behind with all its troubles and pains. What was left was peace. Just peace. There was only her in her world. No bullying stepmother, no neglecting father and no annoying spoilt brat of a stepsister.

Suddenly, something flew past her face making her open her eyes quickly. It was a piece of paper. She watched it fly to the lake and settle atop it as the water began to wet it gradually. Then, she felt a presence beside her and turning to the other side, she came face-to-face with the most beautiful little boy ever.

She gasped.

His beauty was ethereal. She couldn’t tear her eyes off him. His cute puppy eyes pierced through her eyes and straight into her soul. He was so captivating. Her brows creased. What was a little boy doing in a lonely place? Was he lost?

  “Hey!” She called out softly.

Awwn! He was too cute! He reminded her of a bunny she used to own when she was little.

  “Bunny?” she slapped her mouth shut the minute the words came out. The little guy’s brows perked up and his eyes glistened with tears. Why was he sad?

  “Are you okay?” She asked as she approached the little boy who unexpectedly burst into a fit of tears to her surprise.

  “Hey. Hey.” She enveloped him in her arms and let him cry his heart out. It was like he was letting go of some pent up feelings.

  “Nobody cares about me!” he said in between loud wails.

  “I do, Little One. I care about you.” She half whispered, hugging him tight. She could feel his pain. It was the same pain she had been passing through for the past eighteen years.

  “No one loves me.” He brawled.

Now Lauren herself was on the verge of tears, “I love you Bunny. I really do.”

He pulled away and looked into her eyes as if searching for something. “You do?”

She nodded and he returned to her arms. This time, his wails had reduced to sobs. Lauren cuddled him tight. She never imagined there was someone who felt all the heartaches as she. She couldn’t help but wonder whose child was he? Were his parents too busy to even spend time with him? Or was he an illegitimate child neglected like her? She sighed and looked at the figure in her arms who had fallen asleep already.

  “I’ll protect you, Little one, no matter what.” She said stroking his hair like he was a precious stone that fell from the sky and landed on her palms.

The menacing aura in the room made it almost impossible to breathe. Seating on an armchair with crossed legs, Malcolm waited for news on his missing son. He would have sent out his entire security team if not because he didn’t want to the news to go round. He knew Bryan had run off on his own and would return when his mind had calmed down so making the news of his missing son known was like sending out an invitation to his rivals and putting his son in grave danger. If there was one thing he had learnt in all his years of business, it was learning to remain calm even in the middle of the gravest danger. He sighed. If Bryan choose not to return by dusk, then he will have no choice than to release the Knight black guards. They were special martial artists specially handpicked from the top martial art academy in Asia. He only pitied whoever Bryan was found in company with.

  “Sir?”

He turned sharply only to see Alex, his PA. he perked up his brows in reply.

  “I already cleared your schedule for today as you ordered but…but…”

Malcolm sighed, “Alex?” He called.

  “Yes sir.”

  “How long have you worked for me?”

  “Three years, sir.”

He nodded. “Good. Then you must know I hate being kept in suspense, don’t you?”

Alex went on his knees, “Forgive me sir.”

Malcolm picked up a pen from the table beside him and examined it, “The only reason you are still alive right now is because you are still of use to me. Now do you still want to keep me in suspense?”

  “Sir, the investors refuse to cancel. They insist strongly on holding the meeting.”

Malcolm scoffed and for the next few minutes, an uncomfortable silence fell on the room. Alex immediately regretted passing the message. It was never good whenever his boss was this silent.

  “Prepare the car.” He said, dismissing him.

He would really go?