All Chapters of THE THORNES: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The party buzzed with electric energy. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow on the elegantly dressed crowd, their laughter and chatter filling the lavish room. The strong smell of alcohol and sweet wine filled the air.Intense and intimate gathering.The men in their fine tucks and the ladies in their lovely flowing dresses. The TRIX must be very much delighted for a job well done.Jessica arrived at the venue, in her flowing black dress, nothing too complicated.Feeling out of place in the midst of all the personalities, she clutched on a glass of champagne, taking little sips from time to time as she wandered her eyes through the gathering. Some men spoke in foreign languages, others spoke in English, in hushed and loud tones, it was a ground for any.Spotting Liam across the room, she heaved, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence. She noticed carefully how he looked. He was always the hulk kind with the masterpiece of masculinity but tonight showed more than that. His masc

Jessica tried to follow the man's trail with her eyes but she couldn't. All that he had left her was a paper.Who could that be?Was she being spied on?Why discreetly too?Jessica unfolded the paper, her heart racing in her chest, it was too much occurrence in one night. It wasn't a note, but a crudely drawn map of the building, with a small red circle drawn over a spot, indicating a secluded balcony right before the gardens behind the building.Slightly apprehensive, Jessica cast a glance at Liam whom she was nearly six steps close to. He was still talking to his business partners when he caught her gaze, it felt questionable. Trying not to cause suspicion she finally walked up to him."Excuse me for a moment," she said to him, trying to steady her voice. "I uh… I need to use the restroom."Liam nodded, a shadow of concern crossing his face. He could see through her words,it didn't feel like a restroom break, he sensed there could be more. Offering him a reassuring smile like all

Tomorrow was another day, another day to live a secret life at TRIX and navigate the web of her case and this old problem of hers, Lucas.The weight of it all grew heavier with each passing moment. The more time she spent with Liam, the more she yearned to be honest with him. But honesty came with a price, and the potential consequences were too high.Jessica got home and fell on her couch. Several toss and turns for hours while her mind replayed the clips of the night's event, the stolen glances with Liam, the unsettling encounter with Lucas.Sleep, when it finally came, was a restless symphony of anxieties.And that too, forgetting the daily updates she had to give to the agency.**THE NEXT DAY.She arrived early at TRIX. Expecting Liam in his office, a flurry of activity around him as always.Jessica took a deep breath and a smile emerged onto her face. As she approached his door, it swung open, revealing Lucas, his features plastered with a charming grin."Ah, Jessica! There you

It's been two nights since Jessica gave reports to the agency. Bright and early on Saturday, Jessica tugged off her bed to prepare for some morning jog. There in the bathroom, her phone rang and she rushed out to pick up.It was Mr Troy. “Mr Troy! Good morning.” She said, startled. “Your presence is needed at the board meeting.” He started.“For two nights, two nights Jessica, you've withheld reports. Now, that doesn't look good, does it?”“The board would like to know why. They suggested a secluded physical meeting today.”Saturday was starting to look like another work day already.Arriving at the agency, discreetly through one of the restricted and confined routes, Jessica found herself in a round table of high board members, same people that had given her the last stretch of the Thorne's. “We thought you'd like a physical meeting this time.” One of the members spoke. Just then, the gush of statements started coming straight from the other members. “Is there a reason we have

Jessica stared at Miss Beth, a hunch of confusion lacing her brows."Mr. Thorne wants me to meet him at the DeluxeOT Hotel?" she asked. The luxury setting felt like a steer contrast to the concept of a business meeting.Everyone knows who goes to the DeluxeOT, the big moguls and wealthy gents. For a while, Jessica had forgotten who her boss was or whose son he was.".... For a meeting?" Still questioning.Miss Beth, ever the picture of collected efficiency, nodded curtly."Yes, Ms. Willows. He mentioned a new business associate, Mr. Greg.”“Apparently, the meeting couldn't be held at the office…. He suggested something outdoor."Usually, Liam was a stickler for routine and transparency but for some other family and business reasons, he kept his reach only within the company.Requesting a meeting at a luxury hotel was not what Jessica would have ever expected.And also, what if she was seen or taken note of by known agency past victims?"Did he mention what Mr. Greg is involved in?"