My lips slowly slanted upwards into a sadistic grin, as I lifted one of my hands to offer her a wave. “Hello,” I gave her a onceover, tutting as I shook my head, my lips pressed together in mock sympathy as I met her gaze again. “You look like shit.” I stated as a matter of fact.
From the matted hair that looks unwashed, to the outfit that sticks to her skin, dirty as hell and the dirty face, she truly looks as though she’s seen hell for the past few days. Which I believe is exaggerated, she hasn’t been through that much. She’s only been here for less than twenty-four hours. It’s not that long. “You did this!” She repeated again, her voice raising while she stared at me with so much disbelief, almost as though she believes she’s imagining stuff. Then, she shook her head. “No…” She chuckled to herself. “You couldn’t have done this. You’re too–“
“Kind?” I cut her off, staring at my newly painted nails, before meeting her gaze with my own blank ones. As her shoulders slumped, like water has been dumped on her with realization, I found myself offering her another smile that only seemed to creep her out.
Chuckling lowly, I leaned forward, resting my elbow on my thigh as I fixed my gaze on her, my head tilted to the side slightly. “That’s the fun part.” I whispered, my gaze never leaving hers. “No one would imagine the kind innocent Isabella would do this, huh? If you ever tell someone I’m begind your disappearance, no one will buy it.” I arched a brow, my smirk widening. “Even if you show up dead, no one will suspect me, right?” I then kissed my teeth. “That’s a bonus right there.”
Blood drained from her face, and I could swear I’ve never seen her so scared in my life. She was practically shaking, her eyes welling up with tears as she shook her head, trying to get on her knees but she was tied to the chair, and so, unable to move. “Isa…” She called out fondly, and I nearly barfed at the tone. “Isabella, I’m so sorry. I…” She sniffed, tears streaming down her face as she shook her head, “…I didn’t want to do anything to you, I swear I didn’t!”
I hummed, not believing her. “Yet you showed up in front of my apartment and caused a scene yesterday.” I deadpanned, all trace of amusement disappearing from my expression as I pinned my cold gaze on her.
Mrs. Donnelly was quick to shake her head, fear filled to the brim in her eyes. “I…” She swallowed thickly, “I didn’t want to. I was left with no choice, I swear!” Her eyes pleaded with me to believe her, and I knew she was telling the truth. She was too terrified to lie. But I still need to push her a little bit more to get what I want.
So, I lifted a brow, my hand going to my lips as I drew my dumb across the lower on. “Really now?” I pressed. “So, it wasn’t your idea to put up a scene at my place and even have a reporter there?” I know it’s not, I just need her to give me the evidence.
She was quick to nod her head. “It wasn’t.” She swallowed thickly. “It was…your brother.” She confessed in a small voice. “Alexander, he…” She paused, seeming hesitant. However, one glance at my cold eyes, and she parted her lips open again, spewing out the rest. “…he paid me,” She avoided my eyes, but continued nonetheless. “said all I need to do is make you act out, and get a reporter to cover it.” She then met my gaze again, her eyes pleading. “I swear, I only did it because he made me.”
I knew that much, which was precisely why I didn’t act out. There were too many eyes there, and having them on my neck would only cause more headache for me.
“Do you have evidence?” I asked, my voice cold.
Her brows drew in as she shook her head. “I don’t…” She whispered, though it sounded as though she was being honest. Then, her eyes lit up again, and she met my gaze. “…but, Crystal does. She hid in the corner and recorded the conversation. She has evidence of his conversation with James as well.”
This time around, it was my turn for my brows to furrow, at the mention of someone I didn’t expect to play a role in this. Crystal? That’s James’ current wife, the model. She’s someone my family endorses sure enough, and I can tell she has more role to play in all these than just this. It’s a gut feeling.
Mrs. Donnelly’s voice coming again had my train of thoughts stopping. “Please let me go,” She pleaded, more tears streaming down her face. Only, unlike yesterday, these were genuine. “Please, Isabella, let me go.”
I flicked my cold eyes to hers, as I pushed myself to get on my feet. I then gave her my response. “I’ll think about it.” I turned around and started making my way out, but stopped when another thought crossed my mind, so I turned around to look at her again. “And don’t worry about your family. You sent them a nice little text about how you can’t live in a broke home anymore so you took off with your money.” I offered her a grin as her face paled. “They bought it well.”
“No, no, no…Isabella, please!”
Leaning down to her height, I held her gaze and whispered. “You should’ve taken the money and quietly left when I gave it to you.” I rose back to my full height when her eyes welled up with more tears. “Enjoy your stay in your personal hell.” My grin widened. “Your husband will soon follow you.”
With that, I turned around and strolled out of the room, ignoring her calling out to me for help, for me to let her go. I’ll do so when I feel like it. I meant it when I said they should’ve held onto the peace I kept with them, but since they’ve made this side of me show, then they have to deal with it. I gave one of the men a look, the one at the helm, which he understood-to keep her there under my instructions until I say otherwise.
The moment I was out of the room and it was locked behind me, the sound of her screams were drowned out. I entered the call log on my phone, tapping the first number there before bringing the phone to my ear as the call was answered on the first ring.
I didn’t bother with greeting whatsoever, going straight to the point. “Find me every possible information you can get on Crystal.” I ended the call, making my way out the club more determined to get on with this fight now more than ever. I meant it when I said I will find a way around this one way or the other.
You see, there’s one thing about conglomerates. No one is truly clean. We all have our dark sides which we keep hidden. We are all a bit nuts.
And well, welcome to my dark side, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s keep this to ourselves, why don’t we? It’s my little secret.
2024-02-12 12:04:48
***
Isabella Montague.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.