De Silva suddenly burst into a quiet laugh; his eyes glinted with humor."And why would I know where your wife is?" he returned innocently.Darkness clouded Fabian's face."Don't play dumb, De Silva. I know you're involved."The laughter died on De Silva's lips as cold calculation took over."I assure you, Fabian, my interests are only with the merger."Fabian's voice fell to a growl."I'll never believe that."Mikel stepped forward, his gaze fixed steadfastly on De Silva."We have information to suggest otherwise."De Silva's gaze turned briefly from Fabian and settled on Mikel, then back to Fabian."I think you're misguided."Fabian's fists were clenched."Where. Is. Loretta?"The air was tight, the room small.Emma's gaze flickered from man to man, her anxiousness growing.De Silva sprawled back in his chair, a sly smirk spreading over his lips."I think you're letting your feelings cloud your judgment, Fabian."Fabian's eyes flared. "You have no idea what I'm capable of." De Sil
Mikel pulled out his phone, ready to begin typing furiously.Emma nodded, her eyes still on Fabian."Mikel, do more digging on De Silva's ties to the Peg Empire. I want any bit of evidence there is."Mikel nodded. "Already on it."Fabian continued. "Emma, postpone the meeting with the Peg Empire representatives to next week. Buy us some time."Emma nodded."Done."Fabian handed Mikel a folder."Look through these files. See if you can find anything that traces back to Tasha Martinez."Mikel took the folder. "Consider it done."Fabian's eyes then zeroed in on Emma. "Get me everything on Tasha Martinez's business dealings. I want to know what she's after."Emma nodded. "I'll have it by tonight."Outside the venue, Mikel and Emma kept pace with him as Fabian walked away.Fabian's phone buzzed. He answered. "Yes?"His mother's voice was on the other end."Fabian, don't forget dinner tonight. 7 PM sharp."Fabian's jaw clenched."I won't."He hung up, concocting a plan in his head immediatel
Fabian leaned forward, his fists clenched."You didn't care. As long as you got paid."Mikel was a silent reminder of the consequences.Edward's eyes fell, shame and guilt written across his face."I didn't know what they planned for Loretta. I thought it was just business."Fabian's disgust was palpable."Business? Your own daughter's life and it's just business?"Edward's voice cracked."I'll tell you everything. Please. Just find Loretta."Fabian's eyes narrowed."Talk."Edward took a deep breath, and the words started spewing out of him."De Silva's been planning this for months. He's been using me to get to Loretta.to get to you."Fabian's face darkened."Continue."As Edward exposed De Silva's web of deceit, the words became a river.Fabian listened intently to every word being spoken while his mind created strategies upon strategies in his head.He would bring De Silva down and anyone else that stood in his way.Loretta would be found and justice would be served.Edward's voice
Tasha's father, Mr Martinez spoke, his voice brooking no attention."Sandra, has he been informed?"Fabian's confusion heightened."Informed of what?" he asked between Mr Martinez and his mother.Sandra's smile faltered for a moment.Tasha's eyes sparkled like diamonds of mischief"Darling our wedding date has been fixed."Fabian's face froze."What?"Tasha laughed at the melodious sound that tinkled."Surprise, my love."Fabian's head reeled.Wedding?What wedding?He felt ambushed."Excuse me?" Fabian said, composing himself.Mr Martinez's expression was grave."The arrangements are made, Fabian. You and Tasha will marry in six weeks."Fabian's eyes locked on Tasha."This can't be serious."Tasha's smile didn't waver."Oh, it's very serious, Fabian."Sandra placed a reassuring hand on his arm."Fabian, dear, we discussed this."Fabian shook his head."No, Mother, we didn't."A trap had been sprung.And Fabian was caught.His phone, still silent in his pocket, seemed to burn with Mik
Maria entered the kitchen, reaching for a glass of water to clear her racing thoughts.As she drank, her gaze strayed outside the window.Into the darkness.She wouldn't be able to admit it, but.A spark of jealousy fluttered in her belly."If only I could have her life right now," Maria whispered, the words escaping before she could censor them.Loretta had Fabian's heart, after all.A heart Maria once thought she had possessed.But Fabian's desperation to save Loretta had let the cat out of the bag.She knew now that he had never loved Maria.The thought stung.Just then, her phone beeped boisterously in the silence.Maria's brother, De Silva, flashed on the screen.She vacillated; she did not know whether to receive the call.Loyalty prevailed."Hey, brother," Maria said in the most neutral voice possible."Maria, I've been tracking Fabian's movements," De Silva said, his voice low and urgent."He was just at your house. What did he want?Maria's grip on the glass tightened."How d
Fabian turned the ignition; the roar of the engine suddenly alive. He was just about to pull out when his glance fell on a figure that strutted into the bar. Familiar features. Rafael.Fabian's knuckles whitened as his grip on the wheel tightened. His old rival, for Maria's love. Back then. Fabian's mind flashed back to memories of Maria-of Rafael's relentless pursuit, of his heartbreak.Rafael was back? What did it mean? Fabian's eyes narrowed. Coincidence or connection with Loretta's disappearance? With Maria's secrets?Fabian's instincts flared. He needed to know why Rafael was here, and what he wanted. Fabian killed the engine and stepped out of the car into the shadows, watching, waiting.With Rafael gone inside the bar, there was complete silence at Fabian's end: no messages, no calls his heartbeat, and the thought that hammered in his head: What game are you playing, Rafael?Fabian watched closely, trying to peer into the bar through the window. Rafael ordered whiskey, sipped i
He opened the door and stepped inside. Fabian spotted Vinnie in the corner booth, his eyes on him as he entered.Fabian slid into the booth, his intense gaze piercing."What did you find?" Fabian asked without beating around the bush.Vinnie sipped at his coffee. His expression was grave."Rafael's plate number is registered to a shell company," Vinnie said.Fabian's eyes narrowed. "A cover-up?"Vinnie nodded. "Looks like it. But I dug further."Fabian leaned forward. "And?""Rafael's been in contact with someone local," Vinnie said, letting the meaning hang.Fabian's grip on the table turned tight. "Who?"Vinnie hesitated. "Maria."Fabian's eyes went wide "Maria?" he echoed.Vinnie nodded. "Appears they're collaborating."Fabian's head spun.Maria, in league with Rafael? What was going on?And where was Loretta?"More," Fabian insisted.Vinnie pulled out a folder. "Financial records show large transactions between Rafael's company and Maria's."Fabian scanned the documents.The numbe
Fabian stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness.The room exploded in a kaleidoscope of colors.Confetti rained down.Choruses of voices shouted:"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!"Fabian's mouth fell open, and he was stunned, stuck in place by the door.His office and home employees were standing around him.Emma, sporting a bright, toothy smile.Nanny Mercy, with her eyes teary with joy.Mikel, shockingly healthy and grinning.Vinnie, a knowing glint in his eye.Fabian's mind whirled.Birthday?Completely forgotten.The last few days that went by was a blur.Loretta's disappearance, the investigation.His face flushed red, as embarrassment joined frustration.How could he have forgotten his birthday?The room was filled with laughter and friends and staff surrounded him.Smiling and cheering- Fabian joined in, slapping on a smile.But that wasn't where his heart was; questions swirled.Loretta's whereabouts, the truth behind her disappearance.Fabian's eyes locked with Vinnie,
Chapter 163Weeks filled with anxiety and unsolved conundrums, deception, and intrigues had passed. The search for Loretta however had shifted into overdrive for Fabian in a dangerously obsessive manner. Each piece of information brought him closer to a revelation but still, every single one of them failed to prepare him for what would come.On a chilly autumn day, Fabian received a telephone call from an unknown caller. His heart raced as he picked up the call, fully aware that this could be the call he had been anxiously waiting for.“Fabian”, the voice on the other end sounded slightly familiar. It was the detective that he had hired to help him after Edward went missing. “We have a situation. We have located Loretta.”Fabian felt his heart race when a small house at the edge of the city came through after the address had been given. Without thinking, he took his keys and dashed to the door. The trip was a haze, all of it filled with thoughts of Loretta. What did they do to her? Wh
As he rode, memories came flooding his mind and brought him back to that time when all he was was Maria's assistant lingering in the shadows of her ambitions. He could remember how he would sit for hours on end and watch her enchant and flirt with Fabian; hear her laughter echo down the halls of their office.He had seen the moment of fate when Maria was wrapped in Fabian's arms, her eyes sparkling with delight, accepting him as her boyfriend. In that instant, Lucas felt jealousy mixed with frustration; how could she not see what Fabian was? He knew there was something wrong with the man she idolized depth of darkness behind the polished surface.Maria, you need to be careful," Lucas had warned her, his voice edged with concern as he faced her the next day. "I've seen the way he operates. He's not who he seems."But she had brushed him off, dismissing his worries with a wave of her hand. "You're just jealous because you're not in the spotlight, Lucas. Fabian is a powerful man. You can
As he walked down the streets of the city, he felt a surge of invincibility take over his body. He felt that no one could touch him after all, he had eliminated one of his major threats. Edward's absence would leave a huge hole, and Lucas intended to fill this vacuum with his ambition.He reached a secluded area, parked his car, and sat for a minute or so to collect his thoughts. He had to think now. Edward was out of the way; next came keeping Loretta in his grasp. She was the only way he could use both Fabian and Tasha to his advantage, and he wasn't going to let her get away from him.He whipped out his cell phone and sent a text to Maria. "Let's meet. We need to discuss the next move." In a second, he received a response: "Where?""The warehouse. I'll be there in 20."Lucas wheeled the car around and headed in the direction of the warehouse, his mind racing with possibilities. Loretta, he thought, considering how they might use her in their scheme. To be sure, she was a chip to be
At the accusation, Edward's face darkened as his mind raced to concoct this verbal assault by Lucas. "And what exactly do you think I did? I was trying to protect my family, just like you should be."Lucas tightened his fists in growing frustration. "Protecting your family? By disappearing? If you knew something about Loretta's whereabouts, you should have come forward. You have no idea what I've gone through trying to find her!Believe me, I know precisely what it's like to be helpless," Edward replied in a low-intense voice. "But you don't know the whole story. I couldn't come forward. Not yet."Lucas stepped closer, his eyes locked on Edward's. "Then tell me the story. What's going on? Where's Loretta?Edward cast a look backward toward the house as if to weigh in his mind just how much he wanted to involve Lucas with the fact. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh and spoke. "I was taken captive, but I was able to escape. Those who abducted Loretta are still on the loose, keeping my ev
Maria's eyes flashed at him as her gaze narrowed. "I'm not obsessed. I just know how things work in this world. Tasha doesn't stand a chance against someone like me. I know his weaknesses. I know what he needs.""Is that why you're trying to bring her down? Because you think you can step in and show him what a real partner looks like?" Lucas asked, intrigued.Maria shrugged, and much of her confidence returned. "Exactly, I'm just helping him see the light. Tasha is just a pretty face, a distraction. I'll make sure he realizes that."Lucas watched her, impressed yet cautious. "You know this could backfire, right? If you push too hard, you might end up pushing him away for good."Not a chance," Maria shot back. "I know how to play my cards right. While Tasha's busy playing the perfect wife, I'll be working behind the scenes, turning his head. I will make Fabian remember who he is truly meant to be with."Lucas shook his head, feeling a mix of admiration and trepidation in his chest. "Ju
Maria crossed her arms, leaning in closer, a smug look on her face. "I'm just making an observation. It's just amazing to see how fast somebody can change their tune once they snag a rich husband. Isn't it, Lucas?"Lucas gave Tasha a worried look as if to say he didn't want to be part of this. Tasha drew in a deep breath, attempting to keep calm. "You don't know anything about me, Maria. This isn't about Fabian or the money. It's about being loyal to the people I care about. Something you wouldn't understand."Maria stepped back, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, please, spare me the moral high ground. You're not some saint just because you put a ring on it. Do you think marrying him makes you untouchable? I wouldn't be so sure.""Enough!" Tasha snapped, firm in her tone. "You need to stop with the petty jealousy and move on. Your constant need to undermine me is getting old.Jealousy? That's what you think this is?" Maria laughed again, her tone hard, unyielding. "I am just looking after the
She pulled her phone out and opened the contacts list before peering at the number of Lucas once again. She dialed his number and let it ring a few times before he finally picked up, his tone tired but alert. "Tasha? Is everything okay?"Not exactly," she replied, dropping her voice to a whisper. "I just spoke with De Silva, and he certainly made it clear that he's not letting go of our past. I need to know if you have any leads on Loretta. He's becoming a problem, and I can't afford to have him interfering.Lucas squirmed in his chair. "I've been doing some work trying to locate Loretta, but she's vanished into thin air. I'll keep searching; it's not concrete at this moment."Tasha felt a sense of doom. "We can't let him know we're working together. If he finds this out, he might screw everything up.I know, Lucas said his voice grave. I'm keeping a low profile, doing my best. For now, just focus on Fabian; he is your priority.I can't just sit around and wait. De Silva is unpredicta
Tasha set the glass down, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "I don't know what you mean," she said, her voice steady, though her insides were in turmoil.He smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes. "You've always been a good liar, Tasha. But remember… I can always tell."Her breath caught, but she hastily masked the fear with a small, nervous-sounding laugh. "There is nothing to tell, De Silva. I'm just… adjusting to everything. You know how stressful things have been."He raised an eyebrow. His fingers brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, a gesture that felt more possessive than affectionate. "Stress, huh?Tasha nodded, conscious of the weight of his scrutiny. She needed to be cool, needed to make him believe all was right with her world. But sitting as close as she was to him, feeling the heat emanating from his body and the intensity of his gaze, she wondered how much longer she could play the facade before he uncovered her betrayal.De Silva leaned back, taking the glass from
There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a deep sigh. "We have to be smart about this, Tasha. If De Silva's onto us, we need to figure out our next step, fast."Tasha pressed her fingers to her temples, the weight of the situation closing in around her. "You think I don't know that? I can't afford to slip up again, especially with him watching my every move."."We need to keep calm and stay according to plan," Lucas finally said, his voice much more even now. "He doesn't have proof as yet, just suspicions. We'll keep everything low-key for some time; make it appear as if all is business as usual. We still have leverage De Silva doesn't know about our deal with Vinnie."Tasha tightened her jaw. "What if Vinnie talks? What if he gets scared and tells De Silva everything?"Lucas was silent for a moment before his voice dropped to a low octave. "If it comes down to it… we'll have to take Vinnie out before he gets the chance to open his mouth."Tasha's stomach churned at