CHAPTER SIXTY- SEVEN~NARRATOR~Nora tossed and turned in bed, unable to find a comfortable position. Her mind kept replaying the events of the day over and over again. She wondered what was waiting for her at the address she had been given. Was it a dead end, or was it something more? She couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the verge of discovering something big.But as the hours ticked by, sleep still eluded her. Her thoughts kept racing, and her eyes remained wide open. She tried counting sheep, drinking some warm milk, and even reading a book, but nothing seemed to help.She lay back in bed and tried to close her eyes again, but as usual, she was unable to.Nora eventually gave up on trying to sleep and decided to take action instead. She got out of bed, took a shower, and got dressed. She wanted to wear something simple and less tight, like the one she had worn to her date. No wonder she wasn't able to sleep. She had planned to go to the police the next day, but rather th
CHAPTER SIXTY- EIGHTAIDENI sat on the balcony of my room upstairs, taking in the view of the city below me. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. A cool breeze blew, ruffling my hair and carrying the scent of flowers from the garden below. I took a deep breath, savoring the moment of peace and solitude. The day had been hectic, and I was glad to have a moment to myself.In the distance, I could hear the sound of cars honking and the distant murmur of the city.I couldn't get Nora out of my head. I kept replaying our date in my mind, how happy we'd been together. But then, my thoughts turned to the moment when she'd collapsed, how scared I'd been that I might lose her. I had never felt so helpless before, and it had shaken me to my core. The thought of losing Nora was what kept me worried than the thought of murdering someone.As I reflected on my feelings for Nora, I realized that there was something more. I felt a connection to her that was unlike anyt
CHAPTER SIXTY- NINE~AIDEN~"Yes, I already have a buyer. The James Group of companies already showed their interest after I spoke to them about it. "I was caught off guard We hadn't even discussed that possibility, let alone decided on anything. But Ethan seemed confident, and he said he'd spoken to the James Group on my behalf. I was torn between being grateful and being worried. What had Ethan promised them? And would it be good for the company?" Does that seem right?I felt conflicted. On one hand, I was grateful that Ethan had taken the initiative to reach out to the James Group. But on the other hand, I was worried about what he might have promised them. What if he'd given them unrealistic expectations? What if they were expecting something we couldn't deliver? I felt like I was on the verge of a massive headache.That wasn't even the problem, I was more bothered and angry because Ethan had gone behind my back to talk to the James Group of companies. Yet, he didn't think I was
CHAPTER SEVENTY ~NORA~I felt a rush of emotions as I spoke to the stranger on the phone. I was excited, hopeful, and afraid, all at once. I told the stranger everything I had seen. I described the building and the people I met there. While we talked, I paced my room aimlessly and used my other hand to play with my hair. As I thought and spoke about the construction site, a memory suddenly flashed into my mind. "You know what I just remembered?" I asked him. "What is it?" the stranger asked. "What did you remember?""The name of the person in charge of the construction. The name is Allyra. It's a strange name, isn't it?" I was trying to make sense of the memory, but it was all a jumble in my head. I wasn't sure what it all meant.The stranger on the phone was silent for a moment as if he was thinking. Then he spoke, his voice thoughtful. "I only know one thing about the name. Allura. A long time ago, I gave the bearer money to build a warehouse or a shop or something like that.
CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE~NORA~I stayed back behind my car, my hand placed on my chest. I was panting really hard. Soon, I started hearing sounds of commotion from inside. I heard sounds of commotion from inside the warehouse. Sounds of screams, gunshots, and ranting. My heart kept racing, and it seemed as though it was pumping blood faster than usual. While all this was happening, I tried to keep my emotions in check. I tried not to show too much emotions and tried to act normal. I held my pisser tightly onto my chest with my fingers trembling. I didn't know why I was being restless. Were u getting unnecessarily tensed? I doubt. Soon, I saw the police coming out with Chris. I exhaled deeply, yet my mind wasn't settled. Allison's men had been captured as well. As they approached me, my phone began to vibrate, causing me to almost scream. I was startled by the vibration, but I was able to control myself. I dipped my hand in my purse and brought out my phone quickly. The caller ID clearl
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO~NORA~"The stranger you have been chatting with," the driver replied with a plain voice. "Let's say he kind of figured out you will take this foolish step. He tracked your phone and sent me to your rescue," he explained. I wanted to ask more questions, but it was as though he read my mind. He chipped in before I even opened my mouth. "Don't ask me any further questions. That's all I can answer for now ."I sank into my seat. My heart was bleeding, and I forced back all the tears that had pilled up in my eyes. I was blinking rapidly. I couldn't control my emotions. I remembered one of Allison's words to me. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. An introduction to what I can do, and if you are not careful enough, I will end the existence of your family and every single one you know. "My heart sank immediately. I remembered this. Soon, the car pulled up in front of Aiden's mansion. I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice that we had gotten home until the c
CHAPTER SEVENTY- THREE AIDENI woke up feeling slightly tired on a Monday morning. I knew it would be a hectic day since I had an important meeting with the James Group of companies. I also knew that I had to attend the meeting, so I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed. My eyes felt heavy, and my body felt sluggish. I yawned and stretched, trying to wake myself up. But I just wanted to stay in bed and sleep in. However, the thought of the meeting kept me from going back to sleep. I got dressed, picked up my briefcase, and headed downstairs. As I entered the dining room, I saw Nora setting my breakfast at the table. She had made me a sandwich and a cup of tea. "Morning, Aiden," she said, smiling at me. "How did you sleep?""I slept okay," I said, still feeling a bit groggy. I sat down at the table and started eating my breakfast. Nora sat down across from me and watched me eat."You look a bit tired," she said, her face full of concern."I'm fine, Nora," I said, taking a sip of m
CHAPTER SEVENTY- FOUR~NORA~As I sat in my room, going through some important files, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. But I knew I couldn't rest until I exposed the enemies. I had to stay focused and keep my wits about me. I couldn't afford to make any mistakes. As I continued to review the files, I noticed something that made my heart race. I had found a clue that could lead to uncovering the enemies' plot. That wasn't even my bother. I had much concern about the fact that Allison had the cops on her side. How would I compete against that? I was all alone with nothing. Even if I decided to expose her to the law, wouldn't it be the same law on her side?I racked my brain thinking of possible means to bring Allison down. I wouldn't let her sit on that seat and keep enjoying what wasn't meant for her. She was eating the fruit of my mother's labor while I was wallowing in pain and frustration. It was disheartening, and I was hurt because I couldn't do anything to save the co
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THREE ~NARRATOR~Allison began to explain how Harry had been using her from the unset. He had used her also to acquire land and began to build a company. The company was under her name, but it was only a cover-up. She had thought it was hers the whole time, but it was all a lie. "I think the only way Harry knew where we were was because he had a trusted servant among my men. He was a very faithful one who listened in on our conversation and went to tell him."Nora was dumbstruck. She couldn't believe Harry had been trying to erase her family name. Someone she once loved and trusted. Allison went on her knees and crawled towards Nora. She placed her hand on Nora's thigh, and Nora shifted uncomfortably although Allison's hands remained there. "Please, forgive me," she begged. "I swear, it was all greed and the quest for power. I am so sorry that I wronged you because of a man. You are my sister, Nora."Nora began to remember her mother's words in the book she
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWONORAAiden took advantage of the situation. Since the car had blocked the gunmen. He tried to start the car, and the car started this time. He zoomed off, and Edmund's driver followed after us. It was a close call, but they managed to escape. I kept breathing hard and wouldn't stop cursing Allison. Aiden found a spot to do a tricky u_turn. Edmund's driver followed behind us. Soon, they lost us. I turned around and when I realized they were gone, I let out a huge sigh. "That was close," I told Aiden. He simply nodded in agreement. I wondered what would have become of us if we had been caught. I was grateful that we hadn't been caught. We soon got home and met Edmund at home. We narrated everything that happened to him immediately after we dropped down the car. I did the talking. I wouldn't stop blaming Allison. Her name was all over my lips while I spoke. "Thank God you were able to escape," Edmund said. Soon, we were all seated in the sitting room at
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ONENARRATOREveryone was present, including Edmund, his driver, and the old detective. They were all present at Aiden's mansion. They weren't taking any chances and that was why Nora had called the whole team. The location of the meeting place had been sent to Aiden and they all planned to allow Nora to go with him. At first, Edmund had been against the idea, saying it would be having Allison's two fishes in one net but Nora had told him she had to go with Aiden in case Allison wanted to trick him with some information he wasn't aware of. But it wasn't just the both of them going, the old detective and the driver were to come with but they would stay in their vehicle and hide somewhere nearby. Edmund would stay to guard the mansion. At that point, Aiden didn't trust anyone anymore. Aiden and Nora got into Aiden's car while Aiden took the stirring. The old detective rode with Edmund's driver in another car. After a very long drive, they finally arrived at the
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AIDENI walked into the living room where my father had been ushered in by the maids. I and Ethan walked together, and soon, we were all seated around the dining table. Father didn't smile for a second. I knew what was going through his mind. He must think that I had failed him, and truly I had. We were all quiet for some seconds before Ethan broke the silence. "So the company..."He was saying, but Father cleared his throat and continued. "Yes, the company," Father said and eyed me. He took his gaze to Ethan, and a little smile appeared on his face. "Thank you so much for telling me. It was the right thing to do," he appreciated. "You did well, my son."Ethan nodded with a smile. I rolled my eyes at them. I was sure that Ethan was enjoying the glory of stabbing me in the back. Father was all over him, singing his praises for telling him the truth. He had gone to tell Father, thereby making me look like the bad guy. Father turned to face me. A big frown appe
CHAPTER NINETY-NINE AIDENI was scared of getting into a fight with my father while I was driving. Still, I went ahead to pick up the call, deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt. I picked up the call and placed my phone close to my ear."Hello, Dad," I managed to say, and it ended up as a whisper. It was then that I realized that I had lost my voice. "I will be in your mansion, in thirty minutes, son," he informed make. "Make sure that you avail yourself at home and drop everything else."With my dad hung up. I was furious. I slowly took the phone away from my ear and placed it back by my side. I gritted my teeth and tightened my grip on the stirring. How did my father get to know about the loss of the company? I asked myself different questions. I knew I had ordered the former staff not to say anything to my father. Who must have told him? Was it possible that they could betray me because they no longer worked for me? While I thought about these things, my mind suddenl
CHAPTER Nineth EightNORA I and Aiden sat next to each other in the waiting room, both lost in our thoughts. My mind was going through all the things that had happened for the last five years. All those times –running from one shelter to another with my kids– it was Aiden, their father. It was a lot to take in for me. I just couldn't believe it. I also thought about the possibilities if me and Aiden had been together and I hadn't run away to New York. All those years of suffering and struggling wouldn't be part of my story. I wanted to cry but I pushed it away. I wondered what Aiden was thinking but I couldn't read minds. Well, I wished that I could. For minutes, there was silence between both of us until a nurse came with Aria. She had been treated and was as good as new, all leaping and beaming with smiles. I looked at her warmly and still couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed the resemblance between her and Aiden. I was just seeing it at the moment."Here you go," the nurse sai
CHAPTER Nineth SEVENNORAI blinked thrice in confusion. I couldn't believe what Aiden was saying. "This isn't possible. It must be a trap," I told Aiden. I didn't trust Allison one bit. I was sure she was up to some mischief. I didn't know what it was, but I knew Allison wouldn't just give back to the company. I just wished I could place a finger on what it was that Allison was trying to do. "This must be some kind of... some kind of...." I stuttered.I was still trying to look for the right word to use when Aiden took the words from my mouth. "Some kind of trick, right?""Exactly!" I agreed. "She's probably trying to trick you, then trap you down when you fall into her hands. I don't want you to fall prey. "Aiden chuckled. "You know, I didn't think Allison was a saint. I don't trust her either," Aiden said. "But, if this was a trick. Why would she go all the way to call me herself?"I thought about it for a moment. I wasn't buying it one bit. There must be an explanation for ev
CHAPTER NINETY-SIXNORAI noticed Aiden was walking down the stairs. I was staring at him lost for a few seconds until I heard his voice. I quickly took my gaze from him and shifted it to the floor. He started by clearing his throat. "What is going on here?" He asked. "Archie injured Aria's arm," the maid replied plainly. I didn't even notice her walk into the sitting room. I watched Aiden as he moved his eyes from the maid to the floor. He stared at Aria's blood, which was spilled all over the floor for a while. Then, he lifted his head to look at me. There was a questioning look on his face.I couldn't tell what the look was for. So, I just shifted uncomfortably on my spot. He turned back to face the maid."Where is she?" Aiden asked. "She's with the nanny," the maid replied. "Why didn't anyone go with her to the hospital?" Aiden asked. I and the maid exchanged confused glances. No one said they were at the hospital, so why was he asking about the hospital?"She is with the
CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE ALLISON I and Harry sat quietly in the vehicle. We were seated behind the vehicle while the driver took the stirring. Harry's eyes were fixed on me the whole time. Although, he wasn't staring directly at me. His eyes were fixed on the front mirror, which reflected my face. I could see him through the corner of my eyes, and it made me uncomfortable that he was staring at me so much. I decided to ignore it still. I didn't want to ask him what the matter was. Even though I was tempted to. The drive was boring and the most awkward one I've ever experienced. When we finally got to the mansion, I let out a deep sigh. Harry alighted from the car when the driver opened the door for him. I hesitated for a while before following him behind. When my leg touched the ground, I felt cold shivers run down my spine. Harry didn't say a word to me. He just turned to me with a cold glare.I didn't need him to tell me the meaning of the glare. I was acting sluggish and cold, an