After Isabel finished at the precinct, giving her statement to Detective Jonas, who promised her that they would look into the matter, she asked Jarvis to drive them to the hospital."Ms. Hadid, are you not feeling well?" Jarvis asked her from the driver's side, concern written on his face as he looked at her through the rearview mirror, while Fowler was seated quietly beside him."I am, Jarvis.""Then, why are you going to the hospital?" He probed, revving the car's engine to life."My niece is sick and I have to go see her." She told him, looking outside the car."I'm sorry." He mouthed, reversing the car out of the parking lot.Fowler didn't say anything to either of them, until they arrived at their destination, about an hour later."Mr. Jarvis, you should stay here and keep watch, while I and Ms. Hadid and I go inside." He told the man, then turned to Isabel,"How long do we intend to stay, Ms. Hadid?""Just a brief visit, Fowler. Did anything happen?" She asked the woman, who
Sebastian was in a meeting with the Chairman of the Atlas Capitals, when he felt something vibrating in his pocket.It was his phone."Excuse me." He told the man who was speaking, brought out his phone to silence it, only to see it was Fowler calling him.His heart immediately flew into panic mode, thinking about Isabel.Something must've happened, for Fowler to be calling him."I need to take this." He sprang up from his seat, then left the office, leaving the men speechless.Once he was outside the office, he returned Fowler's call, and the woman picked up immediately."Sorry for disturbing you, Mr. Bernadotte, but there was an incident at the hospital.""Is Isabel okay?" He questioned promptly,"Did anything happen to her?""No, Mr. Bernadotte. Ms. Hadid is fine, although she's a bit shaken and haven't left her bedroom since we returned home." Fowler relayed to him, and although he was relieved a bit, but the perplexity remained."What happened at the hospital?" He questioned t
Two days later, Sebastian received a call from Detective Jonas, who told him that Damien Giddorti has been bailed from police custody."What do you mean that he has been bailed from your custody, detective? I did not drop the charges against him.""I know you didn't, Mr. Bernadotte, but there was no sustainable evidence to prove that he'd harassed Ms. Hadid, and he claimed that she came to him.""What the fuck are you saying?!" Sebastian flared lividly,"He tried to rape my woman, and you don't believe me! Are you saying that I'm lying?""Mr. Bernadotte, I have interrogated Mr. Giddorti and he still claims that Ms. Hadid had come to him, after he helped her break down the door." The detective explained,"Now, the CCTV retrieved from the crime scene did not prove much to back your accusation, as it had captured Mr. Giddorti breaking the door to help out Ms. Hadid, then captured him standing out there for a while, before entering the restroom." He continued,"I cannot present such mat
Sebastian didn't drive to Shakira's home to confront her, like Zachary expected he would do. Instead, he asked Jarvis to drive him to the manor.When they arrived there, he alight the car then went into the mansion, ignoring Finlay's greetings.He went into his office, closing the door behind him and went immediately to the drawer where he usually packed important files.After about thirty minutes of fervent search, he finally found what he was looking for.He returned to his desk, placing the fileholder on the desk, before he sat down.Then, he took out his phone and made a call to his stock analyst, Mr. Rivera.Mr. Rivera, was speaking in a calm, measured tone, but Sebastian's expression was growing increasingly serious."Sebastian, I understand your concerns about the Valande's group," Mr. Rivera said, "but I have to advise you that liquidating your investment now may not be the best decision. The market is fluctuating, and we could see a rebound in the near future."Sebastian'
That night when Sebastian arrived home, Isabel was in the kitchen. The boys were having dinner and Brittany was nowhere to be found.When Alexander wanted to greet him, he signaled them to keep quiet, so he can surprise Isabel.He went into the kitchen and there she was, wearing his white tee and an overflowing pants standing barefooted in the middle of the kitchen.It was a beautiful and intimate sight, one he didn't mind, coming back to every now and then.Her hair was packed in a messy ponytail, with several prodigal strands hanging around. She was standing in front of the oven, and the aroma of baked muffins filled the kitchen.While she was standing, he tiptoed to behind her, in an attempt to hug her from behind, but she turned unexpectedly, bumping into his chest."Ouch!" Isabel was startled and hurt at the impact, she let out a pained moan, and immediately, he began to apologize to her,"I'm so sorry, Baby Girl." He pecked her forehead, which she'd hit against his ,chin, c
"When did you see this?" Sebastian asked the man, after he'd returned the phone."Mr. Pierre sent me the video about an hour ago. He said he couldn't reach you, so he sent it to me instead.""Someone who knew we were after the man, got to him before we did.""Exactly, sir. Someone got to him before we did. But, we don't know who."Sebastian didn't know what to say as he stared speechlessly at Zachary.He didn't expect that things would take such drastic turn.Fuck!"What do we do now, sir?" Zachary asked the man,"We cannot let whoever it is responsible for this, to go scot free."Sebastian took a deep breath, staring at his phone."I know, Zach, but I feel like whoever it is, is our every move.""My exact thoughts too, sir." Zachary seconded the man's opinion,watching"And he knew what was at stake for him if we'd found the man before he did.""For now, we do nothing." Sebastian told Zachary."He is going to be watching our every move now, waiting for us to do something or react
Isabel did not tell Sebastian about the call, when she arrived at the Aurélien's Place several minutes later. Even when they were having dinner and he asked her if everything was fine."You are oddly quiet tonight." He pointed to her, "Did anything happen?"Isabel was lost in her thoughts, that she was barely listening to him.It wasn't until he touched her hand, was she startled from her reverie."What are you thinking about, Little Rabbit?"He inquired from her,"What is in your mind that has taken your attention from your dinner, that you've barely touched it? Don't you like the meal?"Isabel flashed him a wry smile,"I like the food." She lied, wearing a pretentious smile as she took a bite from her dinner.But Sebastian wasn't convinced.He knew that she was lying, and something was perturbing her."Don't you dare lie to me, Isabel. Tell me what it is that is bothering you...""It is nothing." She stood firm on her lie,"I was thinking about something Ginny told me earlier
Later that night, as they headed home, Isabel couldn't stop admiring her ring. She was so eager to share the news with someone, but there was no one she could share the news with.Sharing the news with Austin would've been a great idea, except that she didn't want him lecturing her about her decision and castigating Sebastian.She didn't have any family member, or close friends to share the news with, which somehow made her sad."I should've done this from the very first day I met you." Sebastian mouthed to her, when he saw her staring at the ring with admiration in her eyes,"I shouldn't have waited this long.""How sure are you that I would've said yes to you if you'd proposed to me when we first met?""I know you wouldn't say yes to me, because you were stubborn and willful. However, I would've done something to make you change your mind." He said with so much confidence, while staring at her,"What if I don't?" Isabel challenged him with a playful smile,"What if I remained res
Sebastian and Isabel returned to New York about three weeks later, after Damien was charged for violating his probation, kidnappings and attempted murder.He was tried in court where although he pled non-guilty, he was sentenced to a fifteen years imprisonment with no possibility of an early bail.Damien was devastated by the judge's sentence, and tried everything he could to shorten his sentence, but the judge remained absolute."You not only defied the law, but you constituted more crimes, Mr. Giddorti. No matter who you are, you should be made to face the full consequences of your action." The judge told him,"By the order of the law, I sentence you to fifteen years in the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility, Aberdeen, Washington."Sebastian and Isabel were present in court when he was tried and the former was overjoyed, knowing that his biggest rival was down.Shakira did not make it in the hospital, thus escaped the jail terms. With Sebastian's help, her body was interred
With the detective permission, Sebastian waited until after the Ob/gyn finished her assessment on Isabel, and assured them that their baby was alright, before going to see Shakira.But, before leaving for the ICU, he'd to speak to Deputy Rivera. The man had come to speak to them, concerning getting official statements.Sebastian and Isabel gave theirs first, then Moses gave his. And to the man's conviction, it tallied with the statement Pendel had given them.Thereafter, he called the detective aside, while Sebastian waited with Isabel."What do you think they're discussing about?" She asked him,"You need not to worry about it, Isabel. I will take care of everything."Sebastian told her like he always did, then turned to Moses who was seated farther away from them, asking him,"Did you later put a call across to Pierre and Mr. Gonzalez?""Yes, sir. I have done that, and explained the situation to them. Mr. Gonzalez is on his way."Sebastian nodded with a proud smile, squeezing Is
Sebastian refused to go see the doctor,no matter how much the doctor begged him."I don't care if her insides are spilling out of her body through her mouth, I do not want to lay eyes on that bitch, else I would expedite the process of sending her to hell." He spat with disdain,"She brought this on herself and she nearly killed my fiancée had I not intervened early. Tell her that I wish her nothing but the worst death ever, and I pray she goes to hell after that."The doctor was flabbergasted.It was a miracle that she made it out of her unconscious state, after they managed to remove the bullets from the vulnerable locations she was shot at.However, he knew that she wouldn't make it past the morning. She did lost a lot of blood and one of the bullet had severed her anterior spinal artery and her spleen.She was as good as death, but somehow, was given a second chance, which wouldn't last up to six hours.She was on her deathbed and has requested to see the man. He'd personally a
Sebastian's eyes fluttered open, groggily taking in his surroundings. The bright morning light streaming through the hospital window made him squint and look away from the window.He was met with an unfamiliar ceiling and the sterile smell of a hospital room. His mind was foggy, and his body felt heavy, as if an invisible force was weighing on him.As he tried to sit up, a jolt of pain shot through his head, making him wince."Fuck!" His hand instinctively went to his temple, but it was restrained by a cold metal cuff attached to the bed frame. He tugged at the cuff, but it wouldn't budge.Confusion and panic began to set in, but they settled the second realization dawned on him.The memories of the event of the night before came crashing on him like a blizzard on a snowy night and he lwt out a loud sigh. He couldn't believe that he was being held like a criminal.Sebastian Bernadotte, CEO of Bernadotte and Sterling Groups, was being cuffed to a hospital bed like a common crimin
The first sight that shocked Sebastian as they were led out of the house, was seeing Jarvis's lifeless body on the ground, near the entrance.His immediate thought was Isabel, as he watched the body.Is she safe?God, let nothing happen to her. He prayed within himself.Nothing had better happen to her and his child, else he would kill Damien himself, spending the rest of his life in jail."Sir!" One of the men outside called, rushing towards them,"Speak to me, Howard. What have you got?" The man holding Sebastian probed him."Sir, so far we've rounded five casualties" He informed the man,"Make that seven!" Someone hollered from the side of the house, stealing all their attention.Pendel emerged from the darkness, and from behind him were two armed men."There are two casualties at the other side of the house. Caucasian armed male and female."One of the men shoved Pendel, who was cuffed top, pushing him to where Sebastian and Damien were standing."We received report about a h
Meanwhile, Sebastian and Pendel relentlessly went after Damien and Shakira who were trying to escape through the back."Sir, Giddorti is hiding in there, and I think he's out of bullets " Pendel informed Sebastian, who was hiding by the other side of the door,"Cover me, while I go in.""No...go after Valande and the man, I will take care of Giddorti myself." Sebastian told him instead,"I think it is time we put an end to all this. Me and him.""But, sir....""Go, and make sure Shakira doesn't escape.""Okay, sir."Pendel left immediately, following Sebastian's order, while he tucked his gun into the back of his pant."Giddorti, I know you are in there and I sure know that you are out of bullets." Sebastian began, taking steady steps into the room,"I can perceive the nauseating smell of your fear from here, you son of a bitch." He scoffed,"I might be a bastard, Bernadotte, but I am not as cowardly as you are. You allowed another man take the fall for your sins, when you should be
Moses and Isabel have walked halfway through, when suddenly, a light flashed through the darkness, from a near distance.Moses was immediately on alert, raising his gun for action."Stay close, Ms. Hadid. We have an unwelcomed guest ahead of us." He told Isabel, slowing his step, so as not to alert whoever the other person was.With his one hand on the trigger, and the other holding Isabel's hand, they carefully approached the light.Suddenly, Moses stopped walking, which made Isabel stop too."Stay here and wait for me, Ms. Hadid."Without questioning, Isabel waited in the spot he asked her to, hiding behind two tall trees."Get down, and no matter what you hear, do not come out until I ask you to." He warned in a low whisper,"And once I tell you to run, you run as fast as your legs can take you." He dug his free hand into his pocket, pulling out a car key, which he handed to her."Head north, till you get to the main road. Take the Chevy and drive to wherever you can you'll be s
"Stay here and don't make any fucking sound!" Damien ordered Isabel in exasperation, bolting out of the bedroom as another gunshot fired in the air.He slammed the door shut, leaving Isabel confused, and shaking with terror.What could be happening out there?Were they under attack?Despite her trembling limbs and pounding heartbeat, she got up from the bed, to go see what was happening. Just as she apprroached the window, another shot was fired, louder than the previous ones.Isabel's body reverberated with trepidation, causing an immediate abortion of the idea in her head.She thought of hiding somewhere to save herself, but a crazy thought flashed her mind instantly.Escape, Isabel! You should be using this opportunity to escape from this hellhole.Her instinct screamed at her, while shots continue to fly outside, instilling fear into her.If you think anyone is coming to save you, then you are dreaming. You are responsible for the safety of your baby and yourself, and this is
Meanwhile, Isabel had almost dozed off, when she was awoken by the sound of running engine approaching the house from a distance.Her eyes opened and she listened keenly as the car drove closer to the house, lights from its headlights fairly illuminating the bedroom, through the window.Finally, the car came to a stop in front of the house, and its engine quieten down. For some reason, Isabel's heart was beating crazily.Not because she was scared, but because she didn't want to face them, knowing either of them would come to check up on her, to be certain that she haven't escaped. She didn't want to see their disgusting faces, Shakira's especially.A couple of hours ago, she was faced with the most shocking and unexpected revelation, aside being abducted.Sebastian wasn't the mastermind behind her kidnap, like she'd earlier suspected.It wasn't him. In fact, he might have no idea about it, except that Austin have informed him.Instead, it was Damien Giddorti and Sebastian's ex-fi