ROBERT'S POV
I punched Thompson with all my might, my anger and frustration spilling over like a volcano erupting. My fist connected with his face with a satisfying crunch, and he stumbled back, holding his cheekbone. For a moment, he looked like a wounded animal, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.
But as I turned to face Odette, my rage only intensified. She stormed towards me, her face red with rage, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Robert, what is wrong with you?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the office like a thunderclap.
I stood my ground, my fists still clenched, my arms trembling with tension. "You know exactly what
ROBERT'S POVI was taken aback by Detective Parker's offer, my mind racing with confusion. Why would he want to help me after everything that had happened? But as soon as I recovered from the shock, my entire body became consumed with rage. I remembered the way he had treated Ariana, the way he had arrested her and thrown her in jail without enough evidence. I remembered the pain and suffering he had caused her, and my anger boiled over."Get the hell out of my property!" I screamed, my voice echoing through the hallway. "You have no right to be here! You've done enough damage already!"I slammed the door shut, my heart racing with fury. I couldn't believe I had almost fallen for his trick, almost believing that he
ROBERT'S POVI tried to defend myself, but my father cut me off at every turn. "You have failed, Robbie," he said, his voice cold and harsh. "You have failed the company, and you have failed your family.""I understand your concerns, Father," I said, standing tall and meeting his gaze. "But let me remind you of the facts. Under my leadership, Vanderbilt Holdings has seen a significant increase in profits. Our stock prices have risen by 20% in the past quarter alone, and our market share has expanded by 15%. I've secured major deals with key investors and implemented innovative strategies that have boosted our revenue."My father scoffed, but I continued, unfazed. "I've worked tirelessly to salvage our reputation an
ARIANA'S POVI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. But there was nothing to see. I was enveloped in thick darkness, and my head was pounding furiously. I tried to lift my hand to my temple, but it wouldn't budge. Panic set in as I realized my hands and legs were tied.I tried to remember where I was and what was happening, but my mind was a jumbled mess. Fear crept in, crawling up my spine like icy fingers. I was trapped, helpless, and alone.Suddenly, Rob's face flashed in my mind. I had come here to find him, to save him. The memory sparked a surge of adrenaline, and I struggled against my restraints. My hands and legs thrashed wildly, but they wouldn't give.
ROBERT'S POVI woke up to the sound of my mother's gentle voice, calling me from the doorway of my room. "Robbie, breakfast is ready." I groggily got out of bed and made my way to the dining room. The table was laid out with a feast, but my stomach was churning with anxiety. Ariana had been missing for three days now, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled over me."Mom, I'm not hungry," I said, trying to push the plate away.Elizabeth Stone looked at me with concern. "Robbie, you need to eat something. You can't keep going on like this."But I couldn't bring myself to take a bite. How could I eat when Ariana was out
ARIANA'S POVI looked up, and shock spread through my entire body like wildfire. The legs belonged to Odette, her raven black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. Her piercing green eyes stared down at me, cold and calculating, devoid of any humanity. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I stuttered out her name, my voice barely audible."Odette... why?"I couldn't believe this. I knew Odette did not really like me but to this extent? She couldn't be this evil.“Why? Is someone blackmailing you?” I could not comprehend why this. I had never liked Odette, she made my skin crawl but could she really have d
ROBERT'S POVMy outburst left my parents stunned, their faces etched with confusion and concern. "What do you mean, Robbie?" my mother asked, her voice laced with worry. "What's going on?"I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew the contents of the envelope, and I knew I had to reveal the truth. "I need to talk to you both alone," I said, turning to Edward. "Can you give us a few minutes, Edward?"Edward nodded and excused himself, leaving us alone in the sitting room. I gathered my wits, becoming the mature and in-control Robert Stone I knew I had to be. I couldn't let my father dictate my life anymore. I was Chicago's youngest billionaire, and it was time I took charge.
ROBERT'S POVI was taken aback when Jenkins announced Dr. Joshua's arrival. What was he doing here? I had always seen him as a rival, vying for Ariana's attention. And now, he was here? He was the last person to see her before she went missing, Ariana had gone to see him before being driven home by the chauffeur. I had gone in search of him at Graceland but had been told by his front desk officer that he was on leave. Part of me wanted to meet him in anger but I controlled myself and asked Jenkins to send him in, my mind racing with questions and doubts."Who's this fellow?" My dad asked."A doctor", I replied curtly.As Dr. Joshua entered, I cou
ROBERT'S POVMy world came crashing down as the detective's words sank in. "A body...a woman's body...not sure if it's Ariana." I felt like I was suffocating, like there was no air left in the room. I lunged at Detective James, grabbing him by the collar, my eyes blazing with desperation."Where is she?" I demanded, my voice hoarse with fear. "Take me to her, now!"My father and Dr. Joshua rushed to calm me down, trying to pry me off the detective. "Robert, listen, we need to stay calm," my father said, his voice firm but gentle.But I couldn't calm down. I was beyond reason. I had to see Ariana, and I had to know if she was alive.Detective James, still looking uneasy, explained how they found Ariana. "She was abandoned in an alley, barely conscious. We think she's been there for hours, maybe even days. She's in critical condition, Robert."I felt like I was going to collapse, my legs trembling beneath me. My vision blurred, and my breath caught in my throat, making it hard to breath