It had been excruciating 48 hours for Killian.“S-sir! W-w can’t find her.” One of the men on his security team reported the bad news while catching the beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead.Killian calmly stood up from his chair in the study. “You can’t find her?” He asked, chuckling darkly.The man trembled under his ferocious glare. Others could only drop their heads in shame.He turned around and grabbed the vase on his table and lunged it in his direction. The man held his ear in pain as the vase grazed him. “You can’t fucking find her?! A measly little woman in San Francisco?”“You get paid for NOTHING!” He roared. “GET OUT! NOW! AND, DON’T RETURN UNTIL YOU FIND HER!”They all fleeted out in fear. Freddy who had been watching his childhood friend finally spoke.“She will be found.” He said, trying to calm him down.“But when? How could she just disappear without a trace?” Killian wondered and he ran his hand through his already dishevelled hair. “Where is Ms. Winters?”
What the hell is he doing here?She was already thinking of how else to get money for her brother’s surgery. Her disappearance from the hospital was spurred when she saw the bruise on her neck.I didn’t sign up my life along with my womb for money.He watched some other men hurdle around him out of nowhere. The hell? How long had he been watching her?But it was only Killian marching towards Penelope with intent, ditching the bodyguards. Penelope remained seated, unbothered.Killian got to where she was seated. “We need to talk.”The cat barred its teeth and claws at him when he spoke. Though it didn’t deter Killian, Penelope felt good about it. She wasn’t the only one that loathed his presence.Killian, however, maintained a safe distance from the cat as his nose began to itch.Seeing Penelope didn’t even spare him a glance, he tried again.“Please, Ms. Winters.” He said, lowering his voice. The words were foreign to him. If Jared saw him right then, he would deem Killian a weakling.
“Mr. King!” Ms. B gasped in horror when she saw him. Hailey stifled her giggles at the sight that beheld them.“What happened to you?” She asked, bewildered while she chided Hailey for mocking their employer.His face was red and bloated. His bodyguards felt completely useless as there was no physical threat and could only watch their boss helplessly as they made their way back to the manor.‘Meeoww’Her gaze travelled down his arms to see a cat. It explained it.“Hailey! Grab the cat from Mr. King. He is experiencing an allergy reaction.” Ms. B ordered.Hailey gasped in horror and quickly pried the cat from his arms. There were some tiny claw marks on his forearm.“How did you get a cat?” Ms. B asked curiously, especially because it looked like a stray cat.“Bring me the first aid kit and feed the cat.” Ms. B ordered as she lead Killian away from the entrance.“The she-devil gave it to me.” He answered, absentmindedly.When Hailey returned, she grabbed the kit from her and dismissed
Killian sat on the bed in his bedroom. His phone rang buzzed on the bedside table. So he adjusted his position on the bed to retrieve his phone.“Good morning, Bestie!” Detective Boyles chirped on the phone as soon as answered the call.“Arghh…” Killian grunted at his excited tone. He wished he hadn’t given the detective his number but something told him that he would find a way to retrieve it.Killian got out of the bed and stepped out of his room to make himself coffee.“Boyles. What do you want?” He preferred cutting right to the chase.“We got your culprit. It was a couple of your workers. The protest was apparently a work.” He stated.That arrested his attention as he reached the kitchen where he met Penelope brewing coffee with her back turned towards him.He could not help his traveling eyes that took their sweet time enjoying the way her nightie shaped her voluptuous behind. She would make a good view being spread over the kitchen counter, he thought. His sleeping junior stirr
“Please.” Hailey begged.“No, Hailey. You can’t touch my hair again.” Penelope objected while squinting her eyes.“But it is so silky and smooth.” Hailey whined. “I promise not to cut it for my collection.”Penelope stared at her strangely, “Never met anyone as weird as you.”The comment made Hailey grin, “It is because I am one of a kind.” She said, bashing in the glory of the compliment.Penelope rolled her eyes at her theatrics. “When is the vet coming?” She inquired. Before her arrival at the manor, the cat was sent to the vet for proper treatment.“Uh… She said they would be here by 4:30 pm.” Ms. B answered as she chopped some vegetables while Penelope was on the onions duty. Most of her time was spent assisting in the kitchen. She could also expand her culinary skills. Her mother was a chef for an elite household before she was diagnosed with cancer.Her dream was inspired by her mother but nature wasn’t kind to her so she opted for a business related course which she couldn’t e
Chapter 19Penelope returned to the party in cautious steps.If the body wasn’t found, why was she declared dead?Her mind reeled, unable to comprehend the revelation. The woman that attacked at the mall.Maybe she knew something. She remembered the night she met Killian when he was called a murderer.Her mind refused to connect the dots. He couldn’t possibly kill her, could he? Many rumours had spread over the years about the Kings. Some said they could make anyone disappear at will and the authority wouldn’t bat an eyelash.Good lord, Penny. Your mind is running wild. That is completely ridiculous. No one is above the law.“Finally, I get to meet the infamous Ms. Winters.” Penelope heard a voice. She looked up to see two men watching her strangely. Shew was familiar with one of them but had no idea who the other one was. But with his dashing looks, he could pass for a model or celebrity.“Huh?”“I am Nathan Freight. We couldn’t meet that night because of a brute.” He introduced hims
Penelope’s gaze snapped to look at Killian in bewilderment. She used her index finger to subtly pat her ears to ensure she heard well. Had he had too much to drink? “W-what? She is your w-woman?” He stammered, then scoffed, refusing to believe Killian. “Impossible!” She is just some who-” “I dare you to complete that statement and you will have nowhere to run your petty oil business in San Francisco.” He warned dangerously, pinning him down with a steely gaze. McBland gulped in fear. His plan to intimidate Ms. Winters really backfired on him. Seeing Nathan and Freddy didn’t help at all. The trio had a reputation which preceded them. You messed with one, they would all come for you. “I am-m s-sorry, Mr. King.” He said shamefully, looking at his feet, unable to hold Killian’s gaze as he apologized. “Leave. Now.” Killian ordered. Some security men had waited near the scene to escort him out. Penelope let out a huge sigh of relief as she watched him leave. “I can take care of mysel
The tires of the car screeched loudly on the asphalt, almost rendering Penelope deaf as she grabbed the passenger seat in front of her out of fear. A car had recklessly over taken them which almost sent their car straight into the other car. “Are you okay?” Max inquired fearfully. He was definitely getting fired. “Pull over!” Penelope ordered as she rushed out of the car to catch her breath. Max fiddled with the seatbelt for some seconds before running after Penelope but stayed some feet away from her. “Are y-you okay, ma’am?” He asked timidly, fiddling with his index fingers. Penelope was bent down by the side of the road and straightened her posture after she got some air in her lungs. “I am so s-sorry.” Max quickly apologized, staring at the ground. “I didn’t mean to take my eyes off the road.” Penelope stared at him for a long time. When he didn’t hear any response from her, he looked up and locked gaze with her. He wondered what her reaction would be? What if she told the b
“Congratulations, Ms. Penelope Fords.” The board members erupted in a series of congratulations. She had been voted as the new CEO for Ford Company and all affiliate companies.The new reached Stanley Ford and he was beyond livid. The woman took the one thing that he hoped would still be his if he was granted bail. But his court judgement had been life sentence till death without any chance of parole.It was at that moment that a foreign substance rolled down his cheeks. He didn’t bother catching it because he deserved all that had happened to him. He allowed himself to be driven with so much power, molesting women, blackmailing them and killing simply because he thought he could get away with it.In the end, Penelope Ford won. She provided the DNA evidence, sending Delilah and her daughters away. She didn’t take the house from them because she had no use for it. She, more than most people, understood what it felt like to have no roof over your heads.She wished she could be steel hea
“Max! Fran! Come out!” Penelope screamed at the top of her lungs, wondering where they had hidden. It was their moving day. The boxes had been tapped, packed and waiting for the moving truck.She tried again and went to the back exit to look for them. The kids were testing her patience lately. They had ben rebelling against her since she mentioned that they would be moving to the city. But Max had given her a condition- to move in with Killian.They wanted to spend as much time with her and Killian as well. The thought stressed her out because it further added more pressure on her decision making.“Come on, Max! Fran!” She called outside and was on the verge of giving up when she heard some movement nearby. There was a store room where she kept the supplies.“Max? Come out here!” She ordered sternly. He came out in slow steps with Fran in tow.“Really? Both of you are unbelievable. I am the parent here! As much as I allow you some freedom doesn’t mean you should undermine my authoriti
Revenge never felt this sweet and bittersweet.It had been a couple of days since Jared King trended for the fraud he was. His doctor who forged a report of his ailment had his license revoked as well. So, yeah… Revenge tour was bittersweet as many people lost their jobs, sources of income all to rebuild a system that had fallen into the hands of power-drunk men.Penelope took it upon herself to visit some people before she returned to the countryside. One of those people was Nathan Hoffman.“You have a visitor.” She heard his PA relay to him.“Was there an appointment?” She heard him ask in a tired voice. Her heart bled for him. She imagined the PA shook her head when she heard no response. “Let them in.” He gave his permission.Penelope waited for the PA to come out to accompany her in.“Nathan.” She called as soon as she set foot into his office. He raised his head slowly. A glimmer of light shined in his eyes at the appearance of Penelope.“Penny.” He whispered, almost disbelievi
His eyes looked like they had seen a ghost. He was right. Everything he held dearly would soon become a ghost of his imagination. "T-thank you all for spending today with this old man." He concluded his speech and left the center stage. People began laughing, smiling and toasting to him. A clip played in the background for everyone to see. It was a collage of photos with music attached to it. Stanley smiled so much, his cheeks burned. Slowly, the pictures turned from pictures of his to pictures of the bruises he afflicted on Lola. Everyone gasped at the gory pictures, covering their mouths at the sheer horror of those images. Soon after, names from the black lists were called. Several funds of the government that was diverted. Stanley gasped, shaking his head disbelievingly. "No! None of this is true." He tried to plead with his guests who had adored him some minutes ago, now turned their backs on him.No one listened. People started to leave the parties because soon after, siren
"What have we got?" Killian asked.Boyles held a cigar in between his lips as he took a deep long drag."A lot. Depends on where you want us start." He spoke after putting the smoke in the air. His feet casually crossed over each other on her work desk. She had a study in a makeshift basement.It was no news that Boyles knew about where she was, even though she never revealed where she was writing from in any of her letters.He was the one that anonymously tipped Killian about her whereabouts. They knew because he confessed the minute he set foot into her household, right before plumping into the chair in front of her desk.He was always an enigma thag no one could decipher."His offshore accounts. We must look into it. Several events had been hosted, especially art works which we know he couldn't give the middle finger about. Most of them are usually sent to another location." Killian inquired, looking at the spread papers and files before him."I will have my men on it. I got you an
Penelope woke up to the light streaming down softly on her face. She groaned a little due to the sudden intrusion on her vision she opens her eyes.She adjusted her position and met a wall behind her. Her hand darted to the back to feign the object."Careful, love. Unless you want to stir him awake for another round. I don't mind, though." His voice vibrated against her neck, turning on very early in the morning.She bit her lips and retracted her hand. As tempting as his offer was, she couldn't even summon the strength. The previous night was a tryst that left her moaning her lungs out and causing her to be sore down there.If she somehow made it out of her bed, she would claim victory. The night was sweet, slow and rough. Everything she wanted and desired. She clamper he thighs shut while reminiscing."Talk to me. What are you thinking about?" Killian asked, slipping his hand around her waist and pulled her flush to his front, not condoning any space between them. He let out a sigh
Killian didn’t hold back on having fun with Max and Fran, especially not on his Black Gold credit card. But he didn’t mind. Anything to see the joy on their faces, he was willing and ready to do it.Sometime in the evening after having lunch with the kids, Max asked, “Okay, Dad. Why are you sulking? Don’t you like spending time with us?” Max inquired, dumping his fries on the plate and meeting his gaze.He turned away from the view of the buzzling locals outside the window, “Of course, I want to spend all the time I can get with you.” He spoke defensively.The two arched a brow, “Then, why are you sulking?” Max asked again.“I am not sulking.” He answered with a scowl on his face.Max and Fran leaned back at the same time, seemingly choreographed before concluding. “Sulking!”Killian let out a sigh.“Come on. Talk to us.” Fran spoke this time. She pushed her food away, grabbed the napkin to clean her hands and crossed her arms, expectantly.Max leaned back into his seat, waiting as we
“Stay in here and don’t leave the car, Penny.” John warned sternly, debating on whether he should turn back home because of the danger he might be putting his daughter in. Evelyn would have his head if she found out about it.She had warned him against it but didn’t listen to her. How could he? The only opportunity he had to save his dying wife, not taking it would mean losing her to that bastard disease that was eating her up from the inside.All he wanted to do was take his wife’s pain away. The society shouldn’t fault a man for the means he takes.In quiet strides, he went into the building with his hands tucked inside both his pockets. Occasionally, he would look behind him, straining his neck to check the car to see if anyone was near it.After some minutes, gunshot was heard, startling Penelope where she sat. her heart raced as she looked around, wondering where her father was.The kite was in her hold when she poked her head out of the window, looking into the darkness that ove
She looked down at their joined hands and looked back up at Killian. “One step at a time, remember?” She spoke and pulled her hand out of his. “The children are far more important right now.” She added and stood up from the couch. “Goodnight, Killian.” She whispered the last part.“Goodnight, Penelope.” He spoke in a low voice, feeling dejected at her rejection. Although, he half expected it but it didn’t lessen the ache he felt in his heart. He grabbed the comforter nearby and used it to cover himself after taking minimal clothing pieces off. That had been his bed for the past few days.The thought made him chuckle. How could a billionaire squeeze his length into a couch for days? Ms. Flores would have aneurysms if she ever saw him in that uncomfortable position. His bed was much more comfortable than the hard couch. He wondered why Penelope didn’t buy a more comfortable one when she easily could.Think of this as a means to an end, he tried to comfort himself internally.Just when h