Ch. 231..235: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 231-235
Chapter 231: Suitable time
Gwen remained still in her place, without opening her eyes or answering him back. She had already seen this coming. Karl was very quick to catch the difference in her behavior.
’Argh!...what should I do now’ she thought to herself.
Karl who had his eyes fixed on her saw her eyes flutter and now his assumption was right, she wasn’t sleeping but rather avoiding talking with him.
Watching her for some time, he reached out his hand and pulled her by her waist, bringing her closer to him until she surprisingly opened her eyes.
"Karl what are you doing?" she began to free herself but he wasn’t going to let her go until she speaks with him.
"Stop struggling Gwen, you can’t avoid me anymore" Karl’s firm tone made her still in her place and she dropped her stubbornness.
Turning himself, Karl faced her and watched her lower her eyes and she kept biting her lower lip, showing her anxiousness.
"Look at me Gwen" bringing his hand under her chin, Karl made her look at him.
"You don’t have to feel embarrassed about you last night’s actions" his words surprised Gwen and she widen her eyes in disbelief but soon composed herself before she snuggled her head into his chest.
"I gave you a tough time" she was ashamed about her actions and felt like smacking herself for being this stupid to avoid his words and still went ahead drinking his drink.
"Hmm... but I enjoyed most of it. You were so different, just like a free bird" he chuckled by the end of his sentence.
"God... please stop saying that. It’s so embarrassing Karl" sinking her face into his chest, Gwen felt shy. This time Karl laughed a little louder and received a slap on his arm.
She remembered each and every word she spoke in her drunken state. The way she danced, the way she kept singing everything, she recalled everything.
Holding her in his arms, Karl kept brushing her back gently until she pulled herself a little away and raised her head to meet his eyes already staring at her.
"I should’ve listened to your warning. I feel so embarrassed about my actions" she was genuinely regretting getting drunk even when Karl warned her. If not for her curious self she wouldn’t have made fun of herself in front of him.
"I promise not to get drunk from this day one. Alcohol isn’t for me" she declared knowing how bad her alcohol tolerance was and she wouldn’t want to make a laughing stock out of herself.
"Hmm.. now forget everything and just answer my one question" he tried to divert her attention and came up with another topic which he seem to find more interesting than the previous one.
"What?" she asked adjusting herself in his embrace.
"When am I going to get the sight of your alluring body" he paused sensing her body stiffen and his lips curled up as he moved his face closer to her ears and continued," I am waiting to see you wear that sexy lingerie," he whispered fanning his hot breathe next to her hear, arousing the goosebumps all over her body.
Gwen’s cheeks turned pink when she remember how shamelessly she told him about the lingerie she brought in her luggage because she was adamant to seduce him and over that she also asked him to change his preference in color because she didn’t have the one he liked.
She wanted the ground to split open and swallow her as could take the words anymore. She had been too obvious with her thoughts the entire time, that she ended up spilling everything to him.
"I think we should rest a little" she stuttered as she tried avoiding meeting his intense gaze and was about to turn herself but he didn’t let her avoid him anymore.
Before she could wriggle, he cupped her face and kissed her before he pulled back," I am looking forward to it "he said and pulled her closer.
Gwen rested her head on his shoulder while her mind kept replaying his words when she again heard him say," Don’t think too much and get some sleep" his words somewhat worked like a magic and she slowly closed her eyes before she fell asleep.
*****
"Noah can you please not squeeze me like this!" Alice who was wrapped in Noah’s arms and legs found it hard to move away from him.
She wasn’t able to rest even for a second because Noah cling to her like a koala bear, not allowing her to even blink her eyes.
Burying his face in the crook of her neck, Noah lay like a log but his grip around her body was firm as if he wasn’t going to let her go even in his sleep mumbled, "Don’t move Alice, you are teasing the member between my legs" his words made her still and she looked down looking at their awkward sleeping position.
Once Noah sensed that Alice wasn’t moving his lips curled up into a satisfying smile before he drifted back to sleep.
After taking a much-required nap, the men stepped out of their tent leaving their partners to rest a little longer and took a stroll around the place.
"What’s your decision, Noah? Are you ready to talk about your past to Alice" Tristan asked as they kept walking.
Noah halt his step and looked at Tristan before he nod his head." I think it’s better to be transparent with her rather than her finding it from someone else"
Tristan’s thoughtful words had showered some sense into his brain and he understood how important it was for them to be vocal to their partners rather than living in fear.
Satisfied with his response, Tristan patted his shoulder," We will find a suitable time to tell them" he assured and they continued walking.
Soon after the boys left, the girls stepped out of their respective tents feeling fresh.
"Why didn’t they woke us?" Alice complained when she didn’t find Noah next to her neither did she find Tristan and Karl.
"I wish we could also have a proper look at this place," Ashley said as she roamed her eyes around.
"How about we take a stroll on our own" she suggested and both Gwen and Alice agreed, bobbing their head like excited kids.
Chapter 232: Who was that man
It had been an hour since the girls stepped inside the vast forest and had walked a long distance away from the camping place when Alice yelled," Gwen, are you marking the trees right...?"
Since no one was good at memorizing the way, Gwen suggested they would make an arrow on the tree they cross that would help them to lead back to their camping place.
"Yes, I have" came her lower reply.
Finishing making an arrow with the help of a sharp stone, Gwen looked at the girls who were quiet steps ahead of her.
"God, I need to catch them," she said to herself and resumed the walk when out of nowhere a hand covered her mouth pulling her further into the long thickets.
Alice and Ashley who had been walking ahead didn’t hear from Gwen, stopped their footsteps and turned behind, but found no sign of her anywhere.
"Where did she go?" Ashley asked, sharing a worried glance with Alice.
"Gwen!" Alice called her name, hoping they would hear her but even after a few seconds passed they didn’t listen to any answer from her.
Anxiousness began to build inside their heart and the girls dropped the things they had collected while roaming around and began walking backward.
"GWEN..." this time it was Ashley who called her name.
"Ash..." Alice’s voice snapped her attention towards her.
Quickly reaching towards Alice, Ashley found Gwen’s waist bag lying on the ground.
"What does this mean," she asked picking the bag from the ground when they heard the rustling sound coming of the leaves around and her head snapped in its direction.
"Gwen!" Ashley once again called her name hoping it was her behind the green thickets.
Before they could react two men stepped out of the column of the palm tree, and attacked the girls.
"Ah.." just one knock and the girls lost consciousness falling limp on the ground.
"Take the model" the man instructed his subordinate and he quickly carried Ashley on his shoulder before they walked out from the forest.
*****
The boys returned to the tent and found the place empty." Where are the girls?" Noah asked looking at the vacant tent and then at Tristan who also seem clueless just like him.
"Boss, should we go and check back inside the forest? What if went searching for us" Karl said.
"I think we should check on them. It’s dangerous for them to stroll around. What if they get lost, finding their way back here" Tristan agreed with Karl and dropped the fruits they carried with them inside his tent before, they turned to again enter the forest.
"Buzz..." suddenly the two-way radio inside Tristan’s waist bag vibrated.
He had carried one with him just to stay in touch with his men as his cell phone had no network in the remote area. Being
A frown marred Tristan’s forehead as he answered the call," What is it, Ace"
"Supreme Leader, there is an emergency" as soon as Tristan heard his words, his frown deepened.
"Speak" Tristan instructed as his eyes turned cold, changing his entire aura in the blink of an eye.
"Boss lady boss in missing" as soon those words left Ace’s mouth, Tristan clenched his jaw, gnashing his teeth in fury," How," he asked.
Someone who didn’t know Tristan would’ve found his behavior normal but the one who has been with him and was currently witnessing the surging storm sensed that something was wrong.
Ace looked at the two unconscious girls in front of him, and heaved out a shaky breath before he started spilling everything.
On Tristan’s instruction, Ace had their men mobilize at every corner around the resort. They had their gawk-like eyes scrutinizing the surrounding around their bosses and were on high alert to take immediate action if they found anything suspicious.
He knew the news about their supreme leader visiting country X would reach out like fire to their enemies and there were high chances of them lurking around just to get back to him.
In these two days of their stay, Ace didn’t find any foul act being carried out against them, but what happened today was like a surprise gift.
Even after having their men following Tristan and the group, the enemy still managed to cause trouble. They not only harmed the ladies but also took their lady boss with them by knocking down all of their guards.
****
Ashley’s unconscious body was brought into an abandoned warehouse, far away from the island. The man who carried her placed her on the chair before he started tying her arms to the armrest.
"How long do we have to stay here?" one man among the two asked.
Fixing the last knot, the man stood up and face his comrade," Until the boss arrives"
The other one looked at Ashley and mumbled," Why did the boss ask to bring her rather than attacking Tristan himself?"
"I don’t know but he assumes Tristan would rush to them to save his girlfriend and it will be a great opportunity to clear his existence" listening to his words the other man fell into denial.
"You think it was a good move to provoke Tristan Knight," he asked with a worried tone.
Though they managed to bring Ashley along but deep inside they both knew it was a foolish act of their boss to provoke the man who was no less than a grim reaper.
"Let’s not think about it and wait for our boss to arrive" though the man was a little skeptical he still maintained his composure to stop his comrade from worrying.
*****
Resort
Inside the surveillance room, Tristan’s eyes scanned the huge screen ahead. He was looking at the footage, thoroughly checking every possible detail that seemed suspicious.
"Who is this man?" he suddenly asked and the head of security paused the footage.
Ace who was standing behind Tristan narrowed his eyes, looking at the figure that kept appearing wherever the group headed.
"He is one of our guest bosses who check-in two days back" the manager spoke.
"Two days back" Tristan mumbled and turn to look at the manager," Time of check-in," he asked.
"Just after your check-in boss" the manager replied confidently.
Tristan fell silent for while as his eyes again went to look at the screen. The man checking in just after they walked inside the resort couldn’t be a suspicious act but the way he was lurking behind them was kind of doubtful.
"Get this man" Tristan instructed.
Ace signaled their men and two of the guards stepped out following their leader’s orders.
Tristan didn’t avert his eyes from the screen until the man was dragged inside the surveillance room.
"Let me go..." the man yelled his lungs out getting scared by those bulky-looking men who didn’t show any mercy and just dragged him along.
"Boss," one of the guards said before they loosen their hold on the man’s arms and he fell to his knees.
"Let me go... I didn’t do anything" the man said frantically looking at the men who were two times taller than him.
As he roamed his eyes from the taller figures his eyes caught the sight of almighty Tristan knight, who stood there like a king while his gaze fixed on the huge screen ahead and he felt sweat buds form on his forehead.
"I-I didn’t do anything please let me go-" the man stammered, trying to finish his sentence when Tristan’s cold voice echoed in the silent room.
"And why should we let you go Warden" turning his eyes toward the man, Tristan glared at him with his sharp and intimidating gaze.
Warden who was kneeling felt a chill run down his spine, the second Tristan’s deadpan voice reach his chords. He knew he was caught by Tristan himself and there was no chance of him escaping.
Ace stared at Tristan with confusion marred on his face, and asked," Boss, do you know him?" he asked.
Warden was one of the journalists who tried to defame Ashley by writing rubbish about her life. Half of the baseless rumors regarding his wife’s personal life were created by him.
Back then, he warned him but it seem like the man wasn’t ready to listen.
Warden shivered under Tristan’s scrutinizing gaze, slowly feeling his body turn weak. He was so nervous that he started seeing stars in front of his eyes.
Unable to utter any word, Warden remained paralyzed as he watched Tristan a chair for himself before he sat in front of him, with him still kneeling on the floor like a slave who was about to slaughter by this deadly man.
"Warden, I will be asking you one question. You just have to answer it sincerely without making any stories" Tristan was trying to maintain his composure, even though inside he was damn worried for Ashley.
He didn’t want his anxiousness to cloud his rational mind. He wanted an answer and he expected to get it without scaring the man in front of him.
Warden’s lips tremble, and his heart began to race. The way Tristan was trying to conceal the murderous stare, he could tell that it wasn’t a time to test his patience.
Without any delay, he nodded his head and heard Tristan fire the question," Who was the man along with you?"
Chapter 233: [Bonus Chapter]Poker clan
Back inside the suite, both Gwen nor Alice didn’t woke up even after an hour passed by.
As soon as Ace informed them about the girls, Noah and Karl rushed to the spot and quickly brought them back to the resort.
An emergency doctor was called to check on their condition and when he said that they were out of danger and were just unconscious because of the heavy blow they received on their head, that was when the boys relaxed.
"We should’ve seen this coming" Noah mumbled sitting next to Alice while his eyes fixed on her pale face.
"We had our men around still they managed to break free of the tight security. I just hope Ashley is safe or else it would be a huge problem" Karl averted his eyes from Gwen and looked at Noah sharing a worried glance.
They both knew Tristan wasn’t in the right state, he was only keeping up because he wanted Ashley in front of him safe. He didn’t want to take a reckless step that would lead his enemies to harm his wife.
He was waiting to find Ashley first and then take care of the people who tried to lay their dirty hands on his woman.
Noah looked at Alice for some time before he, let go of her hand that he held all this time and stood up.
"You stay with them. I will check on Tristan" he said and left the room.
****
Back inside the surveillance room, everything turn quiet and one could only hear the ragged breathing of the man who kneeled in front of Tristan.
Warden felt his blood run dry as he watched Tristan’s eyes grow darker with every passing second. He could see the hollowness in them that ran deeper than the night. It felt like a pitch-black abyss that was eagerly waiting to swallow him.
He didn’t know whom he was talking about. He was the only one who came to do his job, following the couples to get some spicy news about the couples that would boost the viewership of their news channel, until yesterday, he caught someone talking about Ashley being Tristan’s wife.
He followed that man secretly, just to hear him clearly, but lost track when the man changed his route from him.
’Did he mistake my following for something else’ Warden thought as his face crumpled thinking about the obvious. His eyes widen when the realization struck in and he shook his head," I don’t know who that man was. I just followed him because he told someone about Ashley being your wife and not just your girlfriend. A-and it would be her they would kidnap"
Tristan’s face turned ugly the moment words escape his mouth.
"What else did you hear" Tristan reached out his hand and pulled Warden by his collar.
Warden was shocked by Tristan’s quick change and his face turned pale as he stared into his deadpan eyes. He could tell that Tristan was irked by his words and it would be better that he spill everything he was able to hear.
"I couldn’t h-hear clearly as the man walked faster but... but one thing I heard him say was that after kidnapping Ashley they would take her to one of their secret warehouses" Warden spilled everything he was able to grasp until he followed the man before he lost him.
Tristan let go of Warden’s collar and turned at Ace," Get me the locations of every warehouse within ten minutes Ace" just when he was done speaking Noah entered the room and found Warden kneeling next to Tristan’s feet.
"What is doing here?" Noah asked and watched Ace walk past him before greeting him and stepping out of the room.
Tristan didn’t answer Noah and just averted his gaze at the figure of another man who was also stalking them secretly.
Clutching his palm into a fist, Tristan felt his blood boil as veins popped out from his arms. Everyone inside the room could feel the drop in temperature and found it hard to maintain their composure.
While Tristan was busy tormenting himself mentally, Noah took a step ahead, trying to console his friend. He knew Tristan was on the verge of losing control and would be at peace until Ashley stood in front of him.
"Tristan..."Noah called his name and sense him stiff.
"No... Noah not now. I don’t want anyone fucking consoling me" Tristan said gritting his teeth, as he understood what Noah was trying to do.
Clutching his shoulder a little firmly, Noah watched him drop his head. His eyes then turned to the screen in front of them as he scanned the figure walking in a loop and said," Isn’t he a member of the Poker clan, Marcus"
Tristan snapped open his eyes and looked at Noah in confusion and then looked at the figure further zooming his face.
"Prepare our men" Tristan instructed and walked out of the room along with Noah and his few guards.
*****
Warehouse
"Umm..." stirring out of her unconscious state Ashley slowly opened her eyes and found herself in a different place.
"Ah... what is this place" she mumbled and tried to move her hand but felt restricted.
Blinking her eyes she tried to clear her vision before she look down at her hands and found them tied to the chair’s armrest.
Lifting her head she suddenly felt a sharp pain passing through the nape of her neck to her head and she whined," Ah.." the blow she received was strong, with the person remaining unconscious for a few hours.
She tried to suppress the pain and looked around when the memories inside the forest came rushing through her mind and she gasp.
"Gwen, Alice... where are they," she said looking for her friends who were present with her inside the forest. But now that she scanned her eyes around she couldn’t find them anywhere and that was when she realized that she was kidnapped.
Her entire body stilled and a sudden feeling of fear creep into her heart and she closed her eyes before she mumbled one name," Tristan.."
Chapter 234: Troublesome cat
"Tristan..." The only name escape her mouth and she snapped open her eyes.
Ashley had no idea where she was brought nor she knew who were the people who kidnapped her.
All she could remember was that she saw unconscious Gwen leaning against the palm tree and the very next second, she felt a sharp pain in her head, and everything turned dark.
"I need to get myself out of here and find Gwen and Alice" she muttered having no clue that it was only her whom they had bought along.
Using her strength, Ashley tried to free her hands from the armrest, but the knot was too tight, giving her bruises all over.
"Argh..." frustrated, she stopped wriggling and gave up falling weak. She was hell tired and had no energy left within her.
Taking a few deep breaths, she tried to calm her messed thoughts. She couldn’t act recklessly and needed a proper plan to get herself out of this place.
She tried to come up with a better way, she heard the knob of the door twist and it opened with two men stepping inside.
"I told you she is awake" one amongst them spoke.
Ashley looked at the two men simultaneously. They had their faces covered with balaclava masks; all she could see were their eyes that looked at her furiously.
Her face crumpled when she saw one of them walk towards her and before she could scream he pulled her hair and stuffed her mouth with a cloth, silencing her approaching voice.
"You aren’t allowed to make noise," the man said and jerked her head away before taking a step back.
Ashley growled in frustration and again wriggled on the chair angrily.
As he kept looking at her, his eyes fell on her hands and he frowned. The ropes around her hands scratched her skin red. He could tell that she was trying to free herself.
He looked at the woman who kept growling like a spoiled animal not ready to silence and the next second he raised his hand before he slapped her making the chair fall aside.
"Marcus don’t..." she heard the other man call his name and before she could turn her hair was pulled once again and her eyes met the predator-like gaze which made her shiver in fear.
"I. said. stop. making. noise. Can’t you understand my words" his jaw clenched in anger as he watched her tremble under his murderous gaze.
"Good. Now if you don’t want me to harm you then stop struggling" he warned her, and let go of her hair he clutched tightly within his fist.
Standing straight, Marcus turned his eyes to his subordinate Jack, and said," Stay here with her and make sure she doesn’t create any trouble. I don’t want the boss to get upset with us" he instructed with his back facing her.
Ashley frown at his words. She wanted to ask, them where they had kept Alice and Gwen. But she also knew it wasn’t the correct time to act brave. She had to let her guard down before she find a way to get out of this room.
Calming down a little, she struggled to move her body a little when her hand touch something sharp and she hissed. No one was able to listen to her because of the cloth stuffed in her mouth and she whined in pain feeling something wet flowing from her fingertip.
’Is it a glass’ she thought as her eyes grew wide in realization and she this time she slowly moved her palm on the ground when she again felt something and she paused.
Quickly looking at the two men who were busy discussing something, she slowly moved her finger and got hold of the piece of glass that lay on the floor. Though the piece she felt in her palm was small, still she picked it up and quickly hide it, clutching it tightly in her fist and laying still as if nothing happened.
*****
Inside the resort room, Alice and Gwen had turned the entire room upside down when Karl inform them about Ashley being kidnapped.
"You both need to calm down. Noah and Tristan are trying to find her" Karl tried his best to make them relax a little but they were too shocked to even understand his simple words.
Alice was pacing back and forth inside the room, came to a halt and she shot a furious glare at Karl making him shut his mouth.
"I-I mean, you both shouldn’t stress so much" he mumbled under his breath quietly turning his attention to Gwen who kept looking into her palm.
" What is it?" Karl asked taking a step closer to her his eyes fell on the pendant in her hand and his eyes widen in shock.
"Poker clan" the name muffled out of his mouth and both the girls shot their attention towards him.
"Poker clan!" Alice who was able to catch his words sprinted towards them and looked at the pendant.
"Where did you get this from?" she asked Gwen and then looked at Karl who suddenly seem to turn quiet the second his eyes fell on the small pendant in Gwen’s hand and that kind of irked her.
"It belongs to the man who attacked me," she said.
The second she was dragged behind, Gwen tried her best to free herself when her hands caught hold of this pendant pulling it away before she lost consciousness.
Alice couldn’t understand what was happening. Everything was fine till morning but suddenly they were attacked by some men who happen to kidnap Ashley, but why?
And what is this Poker clan whom Karl was mumbling about, she thought.
Averting her eyes from Gwen, Alice turned to face Karl, who had been silent all this time. She wanted answers to her questions and the only one who could tell her everything was Karl.
"Karl" her firm voice made the man look at him in a daze and he heard her say," I want to know everything"
****
Back inside the warehouse room, Jack helped Ashley sit on the chair but this time instead of tying her hands on the armrest they were wrapped behind the backrest of the chair.
Walking back towards the door, Jack turned and kept his eyes on Ashley as instructed.
Not for once, she saw him avert his eyes from her, and that somewhat made her worried.
She had to do something to divert his attention or else she won’t be able to escape.
Racking her brain for some time finally an idea popped into her mind. Looking at the man she mentally smirked and started wriggling on her seat, shaking the entire chair.
Jack’s composure broke the second, watching her again causing trouble. Even after getting threatened with her life, she was still trying to act brave.
Did she want to live, he thought and quickly moved his feet before he stood in front of her.
"Shh.." placing his finger over his lips, he motioned her to keep quiet.
"Why are you causing trouble," Jack asked suddenly getting anxious by her actions.
"hmph... hmph" she tried to speak something but he wasn’t able to understand.
"Look, if you are trying to say leave me then let me tell you, we won’t be able to let you go unless our leader arrives" Jack wasn’t cruel as Marcus. He just maintained his poker face to scare her, but guess even that aloofness didn’t bother her.
Ashley rolled her eyes at the foolishness of this man who was unnecessarily trying to scare her when deep inside he himself was a mouse.
"Hmph..hmph", without stopping her struggle, Ashley continued to enact, when finally he reached out his hand in frustration and pulled out the piece of cloth from her mouth.
"HAH... water... please give me water" the second her mouth was freed, Ashley put on an act and started breathing heavily.
Jack got alarmed by the way her breathing turned heavy and he quickly rushed out of the room to get her some water.
Once Jack was out of the room Ashley pulled out the piece of glass from her hand, proud of herself that she managed to shove the man.
Positioning the sharpness of the glass on the rope, Ashley began to cut it and in no time her hand was freed.
Quickly bending down on the chair, she started cutting the rope tied around her ankle.
"Finally..." heaving out a sigh, she got up to leave when the door opened, and instead of Jack, it was Marcus who walked in.
"Tsk...tsk... such a troublesome cat" he tsk making Ashley take a step back in fear.
"You think it’s easy to fool us, you bit*h" marching towards her he pulled her hair before he slammed it on the wall nearby.
Ashley hissed in pain when her face touched the concrete wall harshly and she felt the world around her spin.
She was caught, and now she could tell that Marcus was not going to let this act of hers go easy.
Chapter 235: I want you
"Who are you people and why have you bought me here" Ashley managed to stay firm. Though she was scared, she didn’t want it to appear on her face.
She could now tell that these men weren’t normal goons but someone dangerous and this man who caught her was the merciless one. He didn’t care about gender and vented his frustration as if it was the only way to tame the beast in him.
Marcus’ deadpan eyes looked at Ashley’s side profile and he smirked. He had never seen a woman who was so adamant to stay strong even at the time when she knew anything would happen if she tents to provoke him.
"I should’ve known a man like Tristan knight wouldn’t fall for a fragile woman. You look quite fiercely" at the mention of Tristan’s name Ashley’s entire body froze and everything started to make sense.
’Were these the enemies, Tristan mentioned her about’ she thought recalling how he told her about the people who were after him.
"W-what do you want?" she asked getting out of the trance.
Ashley couldn’t believe they were been tracked all way here, but why did they harm Alice and Gwen, when their sole target was she?
"We want Tristan Knight" his cold voice came from behind and her eyes widen in shock.
Tristan was right when he told her that, his foes would use her to get back at him and suddenly her heart began to race because it was already happening.
She had no idea what kind of weapons these people carried or how many people were currently guarding the place. As for now, she had seen only the two of them but soon, there would be another person who would soon reach her and it was their boss.
’I need to get out of here. I can’t let them harm Tristan’ she mentally noted.
*****
Resort room
Karl was crowded by the two girls who were patiently waiting for him to speak. Getting stuck in a situation like this, never cross his mind.
Gwen who had no clue about these people either, joined Alice as she tried to seek every possible information from Karl.
Looking at the two pairs of curious eyes, Karl gulped. He could tell that their no way he would divert their attention and now he felt miserable.
’Can’t they just ignore it already and let Boss find Ashley? Why were they adamant about him facing Tristan’s anger
Alice was running out of patience. The more she looked at him, the more her calmness wore out.
"Karl, this is the last time I am asking you nicely. Just tell us everything before-" picking up the knife on the table next to the fruit basket she said," Then I will have to use another way"
Karl’s eyes widen in shock when saw her bring that knife closer to his neck and he flinch," Okay.. okay fine I will tell you everything" he said lifting his hands in defeat.
Alice didn’t pull the knife away until he finally opened his mouth to speak," The pendant you have in your hand belongs to the Poker clan, a mafia gang" his words shocked Alice but Gwen, now seem to understand why he was restrained from talking about it.
"Mafia gang..." Alice mumbled when Ashley’s words rang in her mind," Are they Tristan’s enemy" her eyes slowly turned firm leaving behind the astonishment she felt a while ago, and watched Karl nod his head hesitatingly.
Alice had been doubting both Noah and Tristan for quite some time. Noah’s suspicious act of helping Tristan without disclosing the reason, Ashley’s words about telling her some people are trying to target her to get back with Tristan, and now this Mafia gang. Everything pointed to only one conclusion and that was...
Her eyes widen when the realization struck like a lightning bolt." Who is Tristan" she asked even though she had already guessed it but she wanted him to confirm with his mouth.
"The Mafia lord, whom everyone is trying to eliminate" Karl’s words rang in her, and the knife in her hand dropped on the table. THUD!!
*****
Tristan’s men’s flipped through every possible hideout where they expected to find Ashley but after searching everything, they couldn’t find her.
With every no, Tristan found his resolve crumble, and his mind was slowly heading to the worst.
Stepping out of the abandoned building which was also one of the hideouts that belong to the Poker clan members, Tristan stepped out with Ace and Noah.
Noah tagged along with Tristan as he didn’t want to leave him alone, not until they found Ashley.
Five hours had already passed and yet they couldn’t locate Ashley’s whereabouts.
Staring at the building ahead, Tristan said," Demolish this place" he said and turned to leave.
He was not going to leave anyone one of them. He was just waiting to find Ashley first before he take care of the people who even tried to take away his wife.
On their way towards the car, suddenly Tristan’s phone began to ring. Pulling out the cell phone from his pocket, he saw an unknown caller and he immediately answered the call.
"Tristan Knight." listening to the voice, Tristan’s eyes turned, even more, colder than the iceberg.
"Where is my wife Deuces" clutching the phone in his hand Tristan asked. he was too quick to recognize the man’s voice
Noah who was walking along with Tristan shot his head to his side in shock. Deuces was nonother than the Poker clan lord and one amongst Tristan’s rivals.
The Poker clan wanted to join hands with Jaguar but Tristan plainly rejected knowing the real intention of Deuces for approaching them. He wanted to rank his position in the underworld and carry his illegal business secret by being under Tristan’s wing. But what amused him was the moment he tried to propose a deal.
Tristan was already suspicious about the real intention and after a lot of research, he finally came to find the real culprit behind Dante’s attack. He was so furious with the piece of information, that he decided to trap the Poker lord in his own stupid plan.
Planting a trap for Deuces, Tristan sneaked into his main headquarter killing most of his army and destroying the entire base along with the lord himself as a repayment for his grandfather’s condition.
He thought his revenge was finally over until today when he saw Marcus one of the trusted men of Deuces following them.
Marcus was that slave who committed his entire life to Deuces whom he worshipped like a god and would go to any extent to fulfill his lord’s words.
Tristan’s eyes darken when he heard Deuces laugh." Why so restless Tristan. Don’t worry your wife is safe with me" he heard him say.
At the mention of Ashley’s name in his mouth, Tristan felt his blood boil making the veins on his hands pop out in anger.
"Come straight to the point Deuces. What do you want?" he asked keeping his anger intact. Right now, his main concern was Ashley and her safety.
"I want you Tristan Knight" came his straight answer.
Deuces want to kill Tristan for assassinating his army, destroying everything that he owned. When he and Marcus escaped the blast that was made by Tristan and his men, he vowed to revenge him at any cost.
In these few years, he tried to build up his army, secretly keeping tap on Tristan’s life when he learned about Ashley.
He had Marcus follow them to Country S, but with Tristan’s high security, he almost got caught. Not wanting to take any risk Deuces asked Marcus to return back and wait for the right time to get back with Tristan. And that day came soon and Tristan was here in Country X.
Noah and Ace couldn’t hear what Deuces was telling Tristan but the way, his friend’s aura changed with every passing second, they could briefly guess that it wasn’t that pleasant.
"Okay, I will do as you say" they heard Tristan’s voice after almost two minutes making them anxious about what exactly Deuces said.
*****
"Are you crazy? You aren’t going there alone" Noah snapped at Tristan who had agreed to meet the Poker clan Lord all by himself.
Tristan ignored every word that came from Noah and got ready to leave. Deuces had set a condition and that was, he wanted Tristan alone with no backup tailing behind him. If he assures him that, then he would spare Ashley’s life but if he tries to double-cross him, then the consequences would be severe.
"Are you even listening to what I am saying!?" Noah had been ranting but Tristan seem to ignore his words. He told them about the condition but everyone was against it.
"Leader, let me go instead. I will bring the lady boss to you" Ace stepped forwards trying to stop Tristan to take such a reckless decision. They can’t let their boss step into their foe’s territory with no security.