Ch. 331..335: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 331-335

Chapter 331: Richard is hiding something

The doctor came and examined Richard and that was when they learned that Richard had forgotten to take his medicines which lead to the drop in sugar level in his body.

Richard was a diabetic patient and skipping his dose was forbidden in his case.

"I have given him the medicines but from here on make sure he doesn’t skip any of his doses. It can cause him heart failure" the doctor informed them and left.

Richard who was finally awake and had heard whatever the doctor said pursed his lips into a thin. He kept his eyes down avoiding a pair of angry orbs that stare at him.

Ashley was utterly speechless after what the doctor said before leaving. She just had the urge to scold Richard because he hadn’t been taking care of himself.

"I have to make an emergency call" Tristan excused himself using a reason to give the father and daughter duo some space.

Once the door of the room shut, Ashley heaved a shaky breath. She brushed her face with her palm and stood up.

Richard had genuinely scared her. Finding him unconscious on his chair had almost stopped her heart. His pale face and cold hands still gave her chills.

Taking a few deep breaths, she tried to calm herself, and when she finally did, she turned to look at Richard.

"What is wrong with you dad? How can you be this careless? Why would you skip your medicines" taking the seat on the bed once again she asked Richard with concerned-filled eyes.

Richard sneaked a glance at Ashley before looking down once again. He kept playing with his fingers trying to think what reason he would give her this time.

’I can’t tell her anything at least not now’ he thought to himself and gulped before pushing his body straight onto the bed.

He was yet to face her but found it hard because he knew Ashley would sense the obvious in his eyes.

"I am sorry, this won’t happen again" he finally managed to speak.

Ashley watched Richard avoid meeting her gaze found his actions strange. He would never behave like this in front of her.

Looking at him for a few seconds Ashley reached out to hold his hand that he had been fidgeting with the entire time. She could sense the nervousness in his action but she didn’t ask him right away.

She lightly squeezed his hands and watched him raise his head to look at her. H looked so weak. His eyes were tired as if he haven’t had a good sleep all these days.

Ashley couldn’t understand why would his appearance change so drastically.

Richard on the other hand was finding it difficult to look normal in front of her when deep inside his heart he was scared.

Things that have been happening around him had scared him to death. Whatever Piper wrote about Tori in the letter was the truth. She wasn’t an ordinary girl but a shady person with many hidden motives.

But, he couldn’t tell Ashley about this. He can’t risk anyone’s life. What if their life also turns worse just like Piper’s?

’No, I can’t let this happen’ he firmly told himself.

Composing himself, Richard then forced a smile and looked at Ashley. She looked a little doubtful and he had to divert her thoughts.

"By the way what brings you here, this late" he tried to change the topic.

Ashley sharply eyed Richard. Though the smile on his face looked fake, she decided to let it skip for now. She can’t let him stress.

She then pondered on the words he said and fell silent. ’Should I bring Tori’s topic? Should I tell him that we saw her driving away with someone’

Ashley chewed the inside of her lips, thinking whether she should talk about this with Richard, but they have to confirm this, or else how would they know what was Tori doing out past the curfew time?

Thinking for some time she finally decided to speak. "Dad, have you changed the rules inside the house" her voice came out low as if she was hesitating to talk about it.

Richard was free to change the rules as per convenience but it was quite unusual of him because even after so many years, he kept them the same.

"No why?" Richard creases his brows together at her question.

He doesn’t remember setting new rules for anyone inside the house. He himself followed the same old rules until this day.

"Huh!" Ashley was taken aback by his response but quickly masked her expression.

Richard found her turning silent all of a sudden and asked. "Did something happen?" he felt the fear creep into his heart.

’Did she find something suspicious while I was unconscious’ he thought.

Richard tried to observe her expression. His palm had now started to feel sweaty.

Ashley sensed the tension in his voice and she snapped out of her thought. She found him firmly holding her hand and also felt it a little sweaty.

She didn’t know if it was the right time to tell him about Tori, but she couldn’t leave him in the dark. Since day one, she and Tristan had found the girl a little mysterious.

Not to forget how scared she was when she met Tristan. That time she let this thought skip her mind thinking maybe she wasn’t used to having new people around, but now that she gave it thought, she remembered Tristan telling her that he found the girl a little familiar.

Gathering her thoughts, she took a deep breath and told Richard everything she see.

Richard was shocked by the time she finished speaking. His head was in an utter mess. His fear was slowly inching close to reality and he wasn’t even able to control it.

"Dad I don’t know why but Tori seems quite strange to me" she finally expressed her thought without holding them back.

Richard felt his blood run dry and he slowly pulled his hand away from hers. His lips quivered as he started looking elsewhere making Ashley nervous.

"Dad, are you alright?" she asked when she saw him sweating profoundly and she quickly reached her hand to the side table and fetch him a glass of water.

"Here drink this" Ashley passed him the glass and watched him gulp it down in one take.

She couldn’t understand why would her words end up triggering his health, but then she remembered what the doctor said and she immediately dropped the topic for now.

"I don’t feel good. I think I should sleep for some time" Richard passed her the glass back and lay down on the bed.

Ashley helped him tuck to bed and watch him sleep. She didn’t know why something about Richard’s actions was making her doubtful of the fact that her father was hiding something from her. There was no way he would try to shove the topic using his health as an excuse.

****

[Outside]

After leaving the father and daughter duo alone, Tristan stepped out of the house. He just wanted to gather his thoughts and for that, he need to breathe fresh air.

Stepping into the lawn, he tried recalling the moment he saw Tori, the young chef of Brown mansion. He could never forget her face and was damn sure it was her, even Ashley confirmed it.

His eyes roamed around the lawn as he kept walking until he reach the back side of the mansion and stopped.

"What’s that!" his eyes narrowed when he saw a red faint light coming from a distance.

He remembered once Richard told him about the forbidden area on the other side of the land and how he never allowed anyone to trespass on it. The reason was still unknown but now when he watched thoroughly, he could sense that someone is already residing in that place.

Tristan took a few steps trying to see more clearly. He was sure he had seen the light coming from that way, so he kept moving further until he heard Ashley’s voice from behind.

Turning around he watched her pant and that made him frown. "I told you not to walk recklessly Ash. Why don’t you understand" he mumbled getting worried and quickly walked towards her.

"I couldn’t find you anywhere in the house, so I marched here to search for you. What are you doing here?" she slowly calmed down and watched him stand in front of her.

Tristan blinked at her words. The frown on his forehead had already cleared. He opened his mouth to speak but close it back.

’What was he supposed to tell her that he tried sneaking into the forbidden place’

Tristan couldn’t tell her what he had seen until he confirms it by himself. Something around the house seemed suspicious to him, but he didn’t want to raise the doubt unless he first finds by himself.

"I just came to get some fresh air," he told her the truth.

Yes, he stepped out of the house so he could clear his mind but after coming here he saw something which he found weird. He was about to see through his vision but Ashley happened to call him.

Chapter 332: His first suspect

Ashley didn’t question him further and stepped closer before wrapping her arms around his waist. She slowly rested her head on his chest and asked," Tristan, can we stay here until dad feels better" her voice came out low as she snuggled into his warmth.

Tristan frowned when he hugged her back and found her skin getting cold. He quickly pulled her back and removed his jacket before wrapping around her.

"We will and for that, we need to get inside the house first" Tristan mumbled rubbing her palm.

Ashley let out a chuckle watching him act all worried. Tristan was again back to treating her like a baby.

Nodding her head, she held his hand and they walked inside the house.

Entering, the couple was about to head to Ashley’s old room when she stopped and her head turned towards the direction of the maid’s quarter.

Ashley wanted to confront Tori but she stopped herself keeping her father’s condition in mind. She was just waiting for Richard to get better before she questions Tori about everything.

Keeping that in mind, she then looked at Tristan who gave her an assuring smile and they both soon walked upstairs. But little did they know all their actions were getting caught in the cameras that were installed in his house.

Inside the base, Gabriel had his eyes on the couple who entered the Brown mansion as an unexpected guest. He doubted why would they show up at a late hour, but when he heard Ashley’s screaming, his suspicion washed away.

From that moment he haven’t spoken a word and just kept staring at the screen blankly until the couple disappeared from his sight.

After a long silence, Gabriel finally opened his mouth to speak. "Did you drop Tori safely back to the mansion"

Max who had been with him the entire time bobbed his head. "Yes boss, I made sure no one saw us and she was safely escorted into the house"

Gabriel arched his brow the second he heard his words. "Are you sure Max?" he asked with a glint of doubt in his voice.

Max was taken aback by Gabriel’s words and he suddenly started to doubt himself. He remembered checking their surroundings before Tori stepped inside the pharmacy to get a slow poison from the owner of the shop.

"I-I am sure boss" he stuttered on his words as he felt a chill run down his spine.

Gabriel might look calm from the outside but only the people around him knew that it was not the case. He would never question confirmation twice until and unless he isn’t sure about it.

Gabriel who had his back facing Max, swirl his chair around and stared at him with his deadpan eyes.

"I don’t think so Max" Gabriel’s eyes darkened and he shook his head denying his affirmation. There was something they couldn’t pinpoint and that was somehow annoying him.

*****

Inside the room, Tristan and Ashley changed into their night clothes and lay on the bed cuddling each other in the spooning position.

It had been quite a tiring day for both of them and now they wanted to rest. But even after a few minutes passed, they couldn’t find sleep reaching their mind.

"Tristan, don’t you think something strange is happening inside the house," Ashley asked turning herself to face him.

Tristan heaved out a sigh as he bobbed his head. Her doubt was right. There was something happening around this place they weren’t aware of.

Ashley turned silent once again as she lowered her gaze and started biting her lips. It seemed like something was bothering her to which Tristan quickly asked. "What is it, tell me?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by Tristan’s words and she looked back at him. Her eyes deeply bored into his blue orbs and she opened her mouth to tell him everything.

By the time she finished, Tristan noticed the concern in her words. Ashley was scared after whatever happened to Richard. If she hadn’t shown up, she would have lost him.

The thought itself was tearing her heart into pieces and she didn’t want her fear to ever come true. She can’t lose her father.

Tristan noticed the tears streaming down her eyes and he quickly wiped them off with his thumb and cupped her face.

"Don’t worry nothing will happen to dad" he assured her and pulled her closer.

Tristan kept caressing her back while his mind kept pondering how things changed inside the house after Tori’s arrival. There was something nasty about that girl which made him doubt her intentions.

He remembered the last time which was also the first time he met her and how she behaved weirdly in front of him. She even tried to hide her face from him but failed badly.

’Who are you Tori and what is your intention for stepping into Brown mansion’

Tristan’s eyes darkened when suddenly he felt Ashley snuggling closer to him which broke his trance and he looked down only to find her asleep.

A subtle smile appeared on Tristan’s lips and he leaned forwards to kiss her head.

Tristan had to find everything if he wants to keep Ashley away from all the worries and for that, he had to dig deep into this matter and his first suspect was non-other than Tori.

*****

After a long working day, Noah finally finished his work and stepped out of the company’s building. He walked towards his car which was parked in the parking spot and opened the car’s door. But before he could enter, he heard someone calling him from behind and he stopped.

A deep frown marred his face when he recognized who the person was and his hold on the car handle firmed. ’Why is she here’ he thought before he slowly turned around to see the person who was nonother than Natalie.

He quickly masked his anger and forced a smile as he watched her walk to him.

"How come you are here," he asked trying his best to maintain his smile.

Natalie just sprinted and pounce on him taking him by surprise. Noah wanted to push her away as her touch was disgusting him, but he couldn’t.

He kept his hands down while his eyes moved toward the car from where she called him and his eyes darkened the next instant.

It was Avera inside the car. He could see through it.

She watched them or saw him as if she was trying to observe something. Noah quickly composed himself and dive into the act changing into a different person.

He slowly raised his hands and wrapped them around Natalie surprising both Natalie and Avera.

Noah smiled inwardly when he sensed Natalie froze in her position. ’If he had to win this game then he had to make her believe’

Avera who was sitting inside the car quickly looked elsewhere before she pulled out her phone and started typing something on her phone.

Ding

Natalie’s phone rang and he assumed the message was from Avera since she was the only one he saw typing something on her phone.

Noah didn’t bother to ponder much as he slowly let go of Natalie and slightly pushed her away from him.

’I need to clean myself as soon as I reach home’ he thought and watched Natalie blush.

Noah could help but mentally cringe. ’How can a girl like her show any sign of shyness,’ he thought to himself and scoffed.

"Just a second" he heard her and watch her pull out the cell phone from her jeans pocket and read the text.

Her eyes squinted at the words she read in the text message and she quickly replied before she shove the phone back into her pocket.

Natalie then composed herself before she looked back at Noah. "You must be wondering what I am doing here?"

Noah who had his eyes on her the entire time didn’t fail to notice the change on her face when she read Avera’s text. Now he felt the urge to know what she texted her that brought a subtle change in her expression. But he also knew he couldn’t ask her directly.

He bobbed his head and smiled back keeping his act. "I wasn’t expecting you and that too at this hour"

Natalie’s eyes watched Noah as she tried to find any hidden intentions behind his happy face but when she didn’t see anything suspicious she calmed herself and let loose in front of him.

"I just wanted to see you," she answered shamelessly while her eyes roamed all over his body. Her sight dripping temptation.

Noah felt a little discomfort when her eyes watched him all over lustfully and he felt like a victim who was getting harassed by her lecherous eyes.

He had to be very careful around her, Noah told himself mentally noting Natalie’s personality.

She was a woman with desire who was hard to tame and Noah wanted to be a little cautious around her knowing how she had a crazy obsession with him.

Chapter 333: A plan that backfired

"Why?" he asked raising his brow and saw her look back at him. Her eyes showed a sign of confusion but soon he recalled their talk this afternoon and cursed himself mentally.

’You stupid Noah. Couldn’t you come up with other words’ he scolded himself inwardly as he watched the smile on her face drop.

"I thought you wanted to spend more time with me....so you could forget Alice" Natalie pouted her lips suddenly feeling hurt by his words.

Noah forgot that he told her that talking with her helped him to forget his pain and how he wish to be in touch with her henceforth.

Noah felt like digging a hole for himself. He just couldn’t believe she would react to his words this quickly. She didn’t even wait for the next morning and just showed up in the middle of nowhere.

Luckily there was no one inside the company to see them or else it would’ve turned into a big topic for gossip.

Noah let out a chuckle as he scratched his head. "Haha...I didn’t expect you to take my words so seriously. I thought you must’ve forgotten" he mumbled.

"You asked me something for the first time Noah, how can I ignore it" her words took him by surprise.

Natalie took a step closer to him and held his hand. Feeling the warmth of his palm made her feel like she had conquered the world. She couldn’t believe she was finally able to touch him.

"Every word from your mouth is like a command for me and I need to fulfill it," she further stated as her eyes looked at their intertwined hands.

Noah sensed the threat in her tone and understood what she meant by it.

"I know" he kept forcing a smile until her phone rang once again and this time it was a text but a call and he heard her grunt. "Argh!!"

Natalie was pissed by the sudden interruption.

Letting go of his hand, she pulled out her cell phone and looked at the caller’s name. Picking the call, she yelled," Just a few more minutes, I’ll be right back"

Ending the call abruptly, she turned her attention back to Noah. She couldn’t understand why was Avera doing all this but now she was definitely getting on her nerves.

Composing her emotions she pursed her lips and said," I have to leave for now but I will come back again" she was assuring this more to herself than him.

Natalie didn’t want to leave so early but the person on the call wasn’t patient enough. So she decided to act according to her but she promised to come to him soon.

Noah bobbed his head sadly making sure he looked convincing to Natalie and that was what happened she seemed assured by his reaction.

"No problem," he said.

Natalie suddenly felt like rejecting Avera’s words and following her heart but she knew she couldn’t object to her.

"Don’t worry, we will meet soon" she then assured him

"Okay.." this time Noah smiled but forcefully.

Natalie pursed her lips and hesitatingly turned to leave. She made sure to have a look at him before she stepped into the car and drove away.

Noah’s eyes kept staring at the moving vehicle until it drove out of the company’s gates and that’s when he heaved out a sigh of relief.

Inside the moving vehicle, Natalie glared at Avera who didn’t bother to spare a glance. She was just busy doing something on her cell phone until a victorious smile curled the corner of her lips.

"Done" she mumbled and turned her attention to the driver and instructed him. "Drive to Noah’s place"

Natalie could only roll her eyes at her as she recalled the purpose of why she came to meet Noah.

It was all Avera’s plan to confirm her doubts. Even after so many proofs, she couldn’t bring herself to accept the fact that Noah and Alice weren’t together. So she dragged Natalie along just to execute what she had in her mind.

After twenty minutes of driving, their car stopped a few distances away from Noah’s place and they patiently waited for him. She remembered Natalie telling her that Noah still lives in the same apartment next to Alice. So she came up with the idea of stalking them.

Natalie wasn’t really into it but then she thought why not cross-check everything? She just wanted to see Avera getting proved wrong, so she could leave her alone.

Not too long, they saw Noah’s car and quickly shared a glance at each other. "Let’s go" Avera motioned and the tow stepped out of the car.

Avera was sure, Noah was playing games to make them believe his lies and she wanted to prove this to Natalie.

Slowly tailing towards the residential building, Avera and Natalie watched Noah enter the building.

They tried to sneak in when the guard standing at the entrance stopped them. "Excuse me, ladies, where are you going," the guard asked making both Avera and Natalie flinch at his voice.

*****

Noah stepped out of the elevator and headed to their apartment. He knew Alice must be upset with him because he left home saying he would be back in no time, but the work was prolonged and he had to work overtime.

He was so busy in his thoughts that he failed to notice the presence of two ladies who managed to bribe the guard and continue their spying.

Both Avera and Natalie hide behind the wall and kept watching Noah. They just wanted to see where he goes.

If he happens to enter his apartment then there wasn’t any doubt that he is telling the truth and that he and Alice weren’t together but if... he enters the house next to him, then he was doomed.

"Don’t move..." Avera sneered when she saw how desperate Natalie was to see Noah. She just could understand how can she get so excited when she just had met him.

Natalie shot a glare at her and ignored her words making space for her to look at Noah. She was curious to see the outcome of Avera’s plan and wanted to witness it with her own eyes.

Noah reached his doorstep and hear the clicking sound of Alice’s door getting open that lead him to take a step ahead.

His eyes sparkled when he saw Alice stepping out of the house. He was about to pounce on her but stopped when she turned to him with a blank face.

Noah was confused at first thinking maybe she was upset with him which was why he was getting this aloof reaction, but when he heard the words from her made him frown.

"Argh!! Why do I have to see your face" Alice sneered looking straight into his eyes.

Noah blinked watching her blank face break into a furious one and he tilted his head in confusion. "Huh"

’What’s wrong with her’ he thought but soon something clicked in his mind and he played along.

"As if I am dying to see you" Noah countered back rolling his eyes at her. He turned around to face his door when he caught a glimpse of some hiding behind the wall next to the staircase.

’Oh... so they are spying on us’ he thought to himself and suddenly yelled.

"Why can’t I live in peace, breaking my heart wasn’t enough that you keep coming in front of me," he said turning his head towards Alice and winked at her.

’She saved him’

"Then why don’t you hide inside your house? Why step out when you know there are other people too living here" Alice raised her voice.

It was so funny for them to act as if they were seriously arguing.

Alice sneaked a glance at the two ladies and fumed. ’Cunning witch’ she cursed in her mind.

"I don’t want to argue with a girl like you" he yelled and unlocked the door before barging into the house and slamming the door shut.

Alice too stomp her foot and turned around stepping into her house and shutting the door with a loud bang.

Both Avera and Natalie flinched twice when they hear the loud banging sound of the doors one after another.

With their palms resting on their hearts both shared a glance at one another. They were still coping with the word fight that took place just a few minutes ago.

Natalie quickly composed herself and dragged Avera from there. Now that everything was clear, she just wanted them to leave before anyone happens to see them.

Stepping out of the building, Natalie kept dragging Avera until they reach the car and quickly jerked off her hand.

"Are you convinced now Avera or is there something you still want to cross-check" Natalie snapped at her furiously.

She was done with her constant doubting.

Avera pursed her lips and avoided meeting Natalie’s raging gaze. She wanted to prove Natalie wrong but it was she who ended up getting mistaken.

’Does it mean... they aren’t-’ Avera couldn’t finish her word when suddenly she heard Natalie yell.

"Answer me damnit!!.."

Chapter 334: She won’t give up easily

"What happened?! Cat got your tongue" Natalie scoffed when she saw Avera zipping her mouth and avoiding her piercing gaze.

"It’s better that you accept that Noah and Alice aren’t together and all your doubts are baseless"

Avera still wasn’t convinced but for now, she decided to keep quiet. She knew Natalie wasn’t in that state of mind where she was ready to agree with her.

She was blinded by her obsession with Noah and no matter how much she would try to make her understand, she would always ended up doubting her.

Thinking for some time, Avera finally looked at Natalie and bobbed her head in agreement. "I think you are right. I was doubting Noah for no reason" for now she had to accept her defeat, but she was soon going to expose them.

Natalie smirked and walked past Avera and stepped into the car. Rolling her eyes skyward, Avera too turned and hopped into the car before they drove away.

"Did you see them?" Alice said to Noah as they stood on his balcony in such a way that no one could see them and watched Avera’s car driving away.

"I never thought them to follow me" Noah heaved out a breath as he faced Alice and creased.

He watched her busy in her thoughts while her eyes blankly staring in a fixed direction. He wanted to know what was going on in her mind.

"Alice!" he softly called her name and saw her snap out of her trance.

"Huh!" came her confused reaction.

"How did you find that they were following me," Noah questioned.

He remembered them leaving before but it never strike in his mind that they were heading here to his place to spy on him.

Alice took a deep breath and pulled out her cell phone before she opened a picture that Avera send her.

Noah’s face turned pale watching his and Natalie’s pictures where they were hugging each other and he gulped.

Alice sensed the fatigue all over his face and she could understand what he was thinking.

"It’s okay, I won’t be scolding you for this," she said patting his shoulder and watch him slowly turn to look at her.

Alice gave him an assuring nod, but soon her face turned stern. She then remembered this was the reason how she found out about their secret spying.

Forty-five minutes ago

Alice looked at the time and sighed. Noah wasn’t home yet and that made her feel restless. Even though he informed her about the sudden work, still she couldn’t stop herself from worrying.

Getting up from the couch, she stepped out off the balcony to clear her mind and pulled out her phone to call him. But before she could press the call button, a message popped into her phone and she frowned.

"Avera" Alice mumbled when she saw Avera’s name and she quickly opened the notification.

Alice froze on her spot when she saw, Natalie and Noah’s hugging picture, and her grip on the phone firmed. She felt her anger slowly reaching its peak but she stopped herself when she received another message from her.

’Look at your boyfriend. Oops... I mean your ex-boyfriend. After ditching you he already found someone’

Reading the text, Alice’s eyes started to burn with rage and decided to call her but then she remembered something and she stopped. ’What if it’s all her plan to mock her and see if she really cares for Noah and all this news was a lie’

Noah had asked Alice to be alert when it came to their enemies. So she quickly dropped her anger and turn to leave when her eyes caught Noah stepping out of his car.

Alice’s uneasiness disappeared the second she saw him. She wanted to go and hug him as soon as he entered but wait... whose that, she mumbled.

"No....way..." Alice stretched her words eyeing the two ladies in disbelief who were following Noah like stalkers.

"Don’t tell me they are here to spy on them" she mumbled to herself when suddenly she remembered something and rushed into the house.

Present

"Babe...You saved us from getting exposed" Noah heaved out a sigh and watched Alice bring a glass of water for him.

Passing him the water, she then sat next to him and watched him gulp the entire thing in one go.

"Luckily I saw them or else I didn’t know what would have happened" Alice too heaved out a sigh of relief when suddenly Noah pulled her closer to him with his arm circled around her waist and her back resting on his half side.

Placing his lips on her head, Noah kissed her. He was thankful that they managed to dodge their suspicion or else everything would’ve been ruined for them.

Noah didn’t know for how long they had to be like this but he also knew it was all worth it.

"We have to be more careful from now on. I don’t think Avera will give up this easily. She will definitely come up with another way to expose us" she stated craning her head to the sideway as she watched him nod his head.

Noah appeared to be spacing out so Alice decided to change the topic. Pulling out from his hold, she stood up from the couch and turn to face him.

"Come on husband, let’s fill our tummy, I’m starving..." Alice reached her hand out for Noah giving him a pitiful look as she waited for him to take it.

Noah stared at Alice for a few seconds before he pushed himself up and stood next to her.

Alice blinked her eyes and watched him jerk her hand lightly before he bend down and picked her up. "Let’s go wifey..." his playful voice broke her trance and just like that she was being carried by Noah to the dining table.

*****

Knight Mansion.

Gwen woke up at Karl’s call and climbed down from the bed. It had been like this from the time they became a couple.

Karl would always call her in the morning waking her from her sweaty sleep just like he did whenever they were together at his place.

Before it would be Grace who would wake her up but now that responsibility was passed to Karl.

Stepping into the bathroom, she took the shower and walked out, quickly getting changed into her formal clothes.

Karl was going to fetch her since they decided to have breakfast together. Passing the hallway, Gwen felt a void in her heart as she missed her family.

She wasn’t used to seeing the empty house and now she waited for days to quickly pass by before her parents and grandparents would return.

Yes, Herd and Snow too decided to take a small trip as they wanted to travel.

Heaving out a sigh, Gwen turned her eyes away and walked out of the house where she saw Karl already waiting for her.

"Good morning" a broad smile appeared on their faces as they saw each other.

Fastening their steps, both hugged each other with Karl squeezing Gwen in his arms for some time before they part away and hopped into the car.

Driving out from the Mansion gates, they drove to the coffee shop.

*****

[Inside the shop]

Placing the orders both Karl and Gwen sat on their respective seats taking the corner table.

Dona Coffee shop was one of the best places where they baked tasty donuts, so Karl decided to take Gwen there so she would fulfill her wish of having donuts for the breakfast.

"What are your plans for the weekend? Do you wish to come to my place" Karl asked watching Gwen who was busy reading the menu.

His words pulled her attention to him and she paused for a second before she lift her head and looked at him.

Since Tristan and Ashley were going to spend their weekend at Brown mansion since uncle Richard was sick, Gwen was the only one in the house. So it was better for her to stay with him rather than stay alone at home and miss her family members like crazy.

"Okay," she immediately agreed and watched a smile tuck on Karl’s lips as soon as that word slip from her mouth.

Soon their order came and both enjoyed the breakfast. By the time they were done, Karl’s phone began to ring. It was Tristan, so without wasting a second he answered the call.

"Hello boss" he spoke.

Gwen wiped her lips with the tissue as she watched Karl agree with her brother on something. Though he was bobbing his head humming every word she didn’t forget to notice the change in his face.

The moment, he ended the call, Karl turned to look at Gwen who already had her eyes fixed on him.

"What did brother say?" she asked watching the hesitation marred all over his face.

Gwen had a feeling that whatever Karl was going to tell her, she wasn’t going to like but still she wanted to know.

"Linda is waiting for us at Skylar Corps," he said with much courage and watched Gwen’s face stiff the very next moment.

Chapter 335: Linda’s secret

"Weren’t we suppose to have a meeting with her next week? What is she doing in our office today?" Gwen said with an extremely cold tone. Her brows furrowed in annoyance.

Karl stared at her displeased face and sighed mentally. He knew having Linda and her work together wasn’t that easy and the one who was going to get grind was him.

"Mr. Acme doesn’t want to delay the project and has requested the boss if they could start working on it as soon as possible" Karl answered plainly.

The frown on Gwen’s forehead deepened even more but she kept herself in control recalling it was her brother’s call and they couldn’t neglect it.

"Fine... let go" slamming her hand on the table Gwen stood up and walked away carrying her hand bang leaving everyone around in shock.

If someone who wasn’t aware of their conversation might think they argued, but only they knew it wasn’t the reason.

Pursing his lips into a thin line, Karl look got up and followed her ignoring the eyes that stared at him.

Soon they reached Skylar Corps and entered taking the private elevator to the main office.

Inside the cabin, Linda had been taking a look around, especially towards Karl’s stuff, observing them. She could tell that the man was a clean freak because his table was arranged neatly as opposed to the other one next to it.

Walking around the table, she traced her finger on the edge of the backrest, as she slowly turned and faced it.

The smile on Linda’s face dropped when she saw a photo frame on the surface of the table. It was no one but them in it and her eyes instantly turned dark.

Digging her nails into the seat, she fumed staring at their happy face, and scoffed. "I am soon going to wipe off this smile from your face because you are going to lose your man to me, Gwen"

Linda didn’t forget the humiliation she faced in front of her friends because of Gwen. She remembered each part of it and now, it was time for payback.

Her eyes fiercely started at the photo frame when suddenly the door opened and she quickly snapped out of her thoughts, composing her appearance.

Both Karl and Gwen were shocked to see Linda standing in front of Karl’s table, but before they could ask Linda said," You two look good together" her eyes pointing at the photo frame on his table.

Letting go of the chair, she then walked towards the couple who gave her a suspicious look and she quickly let out a chuckle. "Don’t worry I wasn’t robbing anything"

"I hope we didn’t make you wait for long" Karl was the first one to compose himself and step into his professional tone.

"No, that’s okay. It was me who came uninvited" Linda forced a smile hiding behind her evil thought and then looked at Gwen. She could sense her cold stare, but that didn’t bother her.

Gwen had been observing Linda the moment they stepped inside the cabin. Though she appeared all normal in front of them, she didn’t fail to notice her look on how she was staring at their photo a minute ago.

"Shall we start the meeting" ignoring all her doubts, Gwen suggested that they should begin with their work.

Agreeing they soon took their respective seat and started discussing the points related to the project. Since it was Linda’s first major project, she wanted to give her best, proving to her grandfather that she was worthy of his decision.

After an hour they finally concluded the meeting finalizing everything. "I hope I didn’t bother you two too much," Linda asked hesitantly.

"No, We were glad to see your curiosity regarding the project," Karl said with a polite smile.

"Okay then, I’ll take my leave," Linda said picking up her stuff and stood. "See you soon," she said and turn turned to leave when suddenly her head felt dizzy and she stumbled.

"Linda..." Gwen quickly stepped and held her hand, stopping her from falling. This was unexpected for both Karl and Gwen to see Linda lose her balance all of a sudden.

"I’m sorry. I just tripped" Linda lied comparing herself and looked at the two worried faces.

"Are you sure you didn’t hurt your leg?" Karl asked out of humanity. Though he wasn’t fond of associating with her as he did before, still Karl couldn’t ignore what just happened to her.

"No, I am good" Linda assured with a smile and pulled her hand out from Gwen’s hold. "Okay then," she smile and walked out of the cabin.

*****

Outside, Linda sprinted through the corridor, fastening her pace, and stopped in front of the elevator. The second the door opened, she quickly stepped in and watched it close.

Inside the silent elevator, Linda quickly pulled out a tissue from her handbag and started dapping it on her forehead. She was sweating all of sudden, feeling anxious about what would have happened if she would have passed out.

Sigh... Luckily she didn’t or else her secret would have come out.

Ding!

The door slid open and she walked out, leaving the company as soon as possible but before she could get into her car, her eyes caught sight of someone and her face turned pale.

’What is he doing here’ she thought.

*****

Brown Mansion

Tristan woke up as usual when he got a call from Mr. Acme’s manager regarding the change in the meeting schedule.

Since his presence wasn’t needed, he had asked Gwen and Karl to deal with the project. So once the call ended he informed Karl about the change and asked him to reach the company as Linda Acme was already on her way the Skylar.

Keeping his phone back on the table, he sat next to Ashley who was fast asleep and smiled. Leaning forward he placed a kiss on her forehead and climb down the bed.

Walking towards the balcony, Tristan stood there leaning against the railing with his elbows resting on the flat surface while his eyes observing the view.

The Brown property was vast enough and had a pleasant vibe with beautiful trees and greenery around. As his eyes kept scanning the place from the top, he found Richard sitting on his chair in the garden.

He had his back facing him and by the looks, it seemed that he was having his morning tea.

Tristan quickly turned and stepped out of the room, heading straight towards the garden area.

"Good morning dad" he greeted Richard with a smile snapping his attention toward him.

Richard was surprised to see Tristan at first but then he realized that Tristan was a morning person just like him.

"Good morning son, hope you had a good rest" Richard greeted him back with the same energy and asked him to take a seat.

"How are you feeling now," Tristan asked as he looked at Richard looking way better than he was yesterday.

"Good, all thanks to you and Ashley. If not for your fast reflex, I didn’t know what would’ve happened to me" Richard still felt bad for scaring them. His negligence landed him in big trouble, risking his life.

Tristan smiled and watched him bring the cup of tea close to his lips and take a sip from it. He wondered if he should ask him straight or use another way to get all the details.

Dodging every query Tristan decided to go with the first one and asked," Dad, is there something bothering you? I mean business and all" Tristan was quite polite with his word but it alarmed Richard and he stiffened.

He didn’t even bother to turn his head to meet Tristan’s face because he feared that the small camera behind them will capture everything and he would end up risking their lives.

Richard pursed his lips into a thin line and bobbed his head before he placed back the cup in hand.

Tristan frowned at his lack of response which somewhat bothered him. Richard wasn’t this timid with him but the more he observed the old man, the more he appeared to be anxious.

He let him be and stood up from his seat. "I get back to the room before my wife wakes up" with that he turned around towards the entrance when something caught his eye and he stopped.

Tristan notice a camera that wasn’t regular surveillance to monitor the property but the one which was used by assassins to monitor their target. He turned around to question Richard but stopped when he noticed the fatigue on his face.

He sensed the trouble in his body language and that made him question whether Richard was already aware of this and if so why wasn’t he being normal around it.

A deep frown marred his face and he looked around ignoring the camera acting as if he didn’t notice it at all and walked back inside the house.

He remembered not seeing them before and that made him feel strange.

As he entered the house and walked by further with his eyes unnoticeably observing every corner of the house and to his shock, he saw multiple spy cameras installed around.

’What does this all mean’ he thought as he slowly reached their bedroom and stepped inside.

His eyes cautiously looked around the room and to his surprise, he didn’t see any cameras anywhere which only concluded that except for the rooms inside the house, everything else was been monitored but why...