“Of course she does! Zera wouldn’t be in this situation if Maia hadn’t revealed her secrets. Zera said she’s going to spend some downtime in Stonebrook. Maia was producing a show in the very same place! What are the odds of that?”Rita analyzed the situation, thinking she couldn’t be mistaken.“Zera can’t hope to be as cunning as Maia. It’s highly possible that she set Zera up. I’m sure she wants to take revenge on our family. That’s why she did what she did to Zera!”Cedric asked calmly, “Did you take your medicine?”“Huh?” Rita was stunned. She never thought her son would show concern for her. She beamed, “Are you talking about my heart medication, Cedric?”Her heart wasn’t doing too well. She was being medicated for it.“I’m talking about the mental health medication.”Before she could reply, he hung up the phone and set it to silent mode immediately.Baz came in shortly and said, “I received news from Ms. Rita too, Mr. Cedric. She said Ms. Zera went missing. Should we inter
Cedric agreed with her, “I’ll have someone handle this.”“You have to. She’s your fiancee as well as your younger sister.” Maia took her phone back and walked toward the balcony.“I’m only handling it because of you. I don’t care about what happens to her.”“Don’t concern yourself with me, Cedric. After all, I almost died because of you. It’s bad luck to have you caring about me,” Maia said with a callous irony.Cedric spoke again when she was at the balcony. “You promised me that you wouldn’t leap over balconies.”“You also promised me we would watch the Aurora Borealis together.” Maia sneered, “It’s like they say. Promises are meant to be broken.”Maia stepped onto the balcony and leaped without any hesitation.“I guess I deserved that.” Cedric said to himself, smiling bitterly. Then, he made a phone call.“When did Zera go missing?” he asked Rita as soon as the call connected.“Just a few days ago! I kept her at home, but she insisted on going somewhere. I sent the maid wit
“What are you going to do? We’ll still be shooting in Stonebrook for a few more days.”“The exhaustion will take care of it for me.” Maia yawned several times, “I’m going to get some shut-eye.”“I’ll walk you back.”“It’s fine. Dinner’s about to start. They’re going to need you here for the live broadcast.”Aiken looked at the time and nodded at Maia, “Rest well, then. I’ll send you some dinner when the broadcast is done!”“Sure.”Maia was alone when she heard footsteps behind her. She thought it was one of Stonebrook’s staff and turned around. A cat came out of the side of the road and looked at her.There was a collar around its neck. It sauntered to Maia’s feet, completely unafraid. It rubbed itself against her.Maia smiled and petted it. “There’s a whiff of osmanthus about you! It smells good!”Suddenly, she heard a loud thud and watched as the lights around her went off. Stonebrook was plunged into darkness.What happened? Did the power go out?Maia was about to use t
Cedric gave Baz an order. “Search for the cat, Baz.”“The cat?” Baz’s face was blank for a while before he caught on to what Cedric meant.It wasn’t human, so it couldn’t talk. However, he had to track it down. It might prove useful!“Roger. I’ll send some men to look for it.”The air of hostility about Cedric was unmistakable. “I’ll kill anyone who touches her!”…It was pitch dark. A revolting smell of blood and osmanthus lingered in the air.Maia’s head felt heavy. She pulled herself up and the memory of what happened came flooding into her mind.She had been on her way back to her homestay when someone covered her mouth with a rag. Then, she passed out.Maia couldn’t make out her surroundings. She caught a whiff of the revolting scent and nearly threw up. She wasn’t sure if it was day or night. She started exploring once her eyes adjusted to the darkness. A barely visible figure caught her attention. Maia stopped in her tracks and crept closer.She wasn’t sure what it
The kiss of life?To hell with that! This jerk was just full of excuses!“Who do you think you are? Prince Charming? Did you think you could swoop in like a hero and give the kiss of life?”He smiled and whispered in her ear seductively, “There’s more where that came from.”Maia’s eyes widened as she looked at Cedric. She had never expected him to act so boldly.“You jerk! How dare you!”“You look cute when you’re mad, honey.”“Asshole!” Maia was upset.“I may be an asshole, but I’m yours and yours alone.”“Huh?”Maia couldn’t be bothered to talk to him any further. She looked away and waited for the police.“Aren’t you curious to know how I found you?” He knew she was upset and that he couldn’t keep teasing her. So, he decided to say something to pique her interest.Maia was indeed curious. However, she frowned and remained quiet when she recalled that he had taken advantage of her earlier. The police started questioning her shortly. “Can you please tell us what happened
This was a human life they were talking about here. ‘Why…? Why would he do it?’She couldn’t figure out why, either, when Rita pushed her off the stairs. How could people be this cruel? After all, Rita loved Zera like her own. Maia inhaled deeply and felt as though she was at her breaking point. It was probably because she went through too much recently. It was stifling.The summer breeze was warm, but Maia felt cold. Cedric approached and embraced her without saying anything.Maia was startled. It felt so familiar. She would’ve felt safe in his embrace back then, but she simply pushed him away.“Could they trace the guy who called the owner?” She asked.“It was a dead end.”Maia frowned. Another dead end.“He was probably the same guy who sent me the video.” Maia called the number, but it didn’t get through. The person probably used a fake number.“Probably.”Maia nodded and said, “Thank you, Cedric.”He raised his brow and asked, “Is that how you’re thanking me?” Maia t
Maia was startled by what he did. She backed off, frightened, until her back pressed against the couch. She frowned and said, “That’s too close. Do you want me to slap you again, Cedric?”He laughed. She was just adorable, even when she was trying to be mean.All of a sudden, someone ran to his room. They could hear him before he went into the room, “These are the gifts I bought for my dad, Maia!”Aiken pushed open the door and was stunned when he saw them in this state. Luckily, he was fast to react. He set the gifts on the floor and dashed at them. “Don’t worry, Maia! I’ll protect you!”Cedric frowned, infuriated over Aiken’s entrance. Maia seized the opportunity and pushed him away. She kept a distance from him after she stood up. Then, Aiken stood in front of her and protected her the way a mother bear would its cub. “Just come at me, Cedric. Why do you have to pick on Maia over and over again?”Maia was a little worried about Aiken. Cedric was professionally trained,
“You’re here at last, Cedric! Would you listen to what she’s saying?” Rita started whining.“I merely suspected that she’s behind Zera’s murder, but look at how unapologetic she is. Does she think she’s some big shot just because she’s the CEO of Starlight Entertainment?”Cedric grinned and said, “She is a big shot. What about you?”Rita was startled. “I’ve got you, Cedric. You’re my son! What need do I have for a company?” All of the staff lowered their heads and started grinning. Even the participants who were rushing to the shoot stopped in their tracks.After all, no one expected the famous man to have a mother who could not take a hint!Baz realized more people were gathered around them. So, he moved to clear them away. Rita started bawling after the crowd dispersed. She whined, “I saw Zera, Cedric. I-It was horrible. She is part of our family. Her fate is tragic, but the perpetrator is free. “I’m heartbroken! Maia came out of her kidnapping in one piece. My baby, on th