Ch. 336..340: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 336-340
Chapter 336: Tori faked her identity
His thought broke when he heard Ashley’s sleepy voice. "Tristan, you came?" she mumbled slowly opening her eyes and looked his way.
Swiftly composing himself Tristan heaved a gentle smile and walked towards the bed before sitting next to Ashley. His hand tenderly caressed her hair and he said," Did you sleep well?"
The moment their eyes met, he sensed the worry in her eyes and he quickly leaned closer and kissed her lips.
"I couldn’t find you closer to me earlier" Ashley mumbled against their parted lips as she watched him slowly pull back a little having a better view of his face.
Ashley had woken up from her sleep when she lack his warmth and found the space next to her empty. She wanted to look for him but was too tired to get up and ended up falling asleep once again.
"I was with dad," he muttered adoring her with soft eyes.
At the mention of her father, Ashley’s eyes flung open wide, and sleep flew out of the window waking her completely.
She pushed herself up and asked," Did you notice anything suspicious? Did you talk with him about Tori?"
Ashley questions him back to back, worrying him about her health. "Sh... relax first. You can’t stress so much Ash" his hand caressed her arm and she somehow calmed herself but her eyes kept looking at him curiously.
She wanted to know what was her father trying to hide from her and why he felt so anxious when she spoke about Tori to him. She needed to know.
Tristan was a little skeptical about whether he should tell her about the spy cameras installed in every corner of the house but he also knew, this isn’t something he should keep away from her.
Giving it some thought, Tristan took a deep breath, hoping mentally that she doesn’t freak out.
Ashley felt every second turning heavy. Tristan’s silence was getting the worst of her. She had never been this restless but now, everything about her felt new to her. Her emotions would always be at their peak taking her by surprise.
Tristan bored into her eyes and gently held her hands before he opened his mouth to speak. "Someone is monitoring our movements Ash" his words made her frown in confusion and she gave him a are you mad look.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Her eyes blinked as she tried shoving off her confusion.
Tristan didn’t waste a second and informed her about everything happening around the house and how everything was been kept an eye on and now they had to find who was the person behind it.
It didn’t take Tristan long to conclude that it wasn’t Richard but foul play was been carried out secretly and somehow, Richard had come to learn about it. But then why wasn’t he trying to conceal it from everyone?
Ashley released her hand from Tristan’s hold and covered her mouth. This new piece of information shocked her. She could feel her body heat up with nervousness.
"What should we do now" her voice shivered as she turned her eyes to look at him.
Tristan heaved out a sigh as he ran his palm over his face and looked at her." I don’t think dad will tell us anything. Maybe he knows something or else why would he act this way and about Tori, that girl is quite suspicious" Tristan’s eyes turned dark at the mention of her name.
"She had been lying the entire time about her background, her family everything, and somehow Piper was able to learn this truth" another shocking news blew their mind.
He remembered stumbling on a letter he found in the study room after they saw Richard in an unconscious state. He thought it was just trash and was about to dump it but the words he read on it stopped him from doing so and he ended up shoving it in his suit pocket.
Ashley was utterly shocked as her mind turned into a complete mess. Tori had been fooling everyone inside the house.’ Does it mean whatever happened to Piper was-’
Tristan noticed Ashley’s eyes grew a little and she would only do it when a sudden realization hits her.
Turning around he opened the drawer of the side table and took out the letter and shut it close back. " Have a look at this" he said passing her Piper’s letter.
Ashley turned her eyes to the extended letter in Tristan’s hand and raised her hand to take it. Opening the letter she read every word Piper wrote in it as she lose hold of it and the letter fell on her lap.
Her eyes bested up and she bit her lips as she tried to suppress her cry. Tristan was right with whatever he mentioned about Tori and Piper had come to learn about her lies.
And now... she was confirmed that it was Tori behind Piper’s sudden deteriorating health or else why would a healthy woman like her suffer a stroke unless there wasn’t any foul play.
"We need to inform the cops, she has to be arrested Tristan" Ashley wiped off the tears that rolled down her eyes and turned to face Tristan. She just wanted to get Tori out of the house, letting the cops deal with her.
"I don’t think the cops can seize her until and unless we provide them with firm proof and did you forget dad’s reaction. If it was that simple, he would’ve done it way earlier than us"
Tristan was thinking practically keeping every point in mind. There was no way Richard wouldn’t have thought about this decision and would have asked the cops to arrest Tori, but he didn’t.
Something was stopping him from doing that and now they had to find what was the reason behind his caution.
Ashley fell into deep thought. Tristan’s words made sense. If it was that simple her dad wouldn’t have wasted his time and let the cops take Tori away but he didn’t. He had been enduring this without letting anyone learn about it and that only meant, that Tori wasn’t the only one behind this but had someone supporting her.
A young girl like her wouldn’t be able to carry such a smart plan all by herself unless she had someone backing up.
*****
Outside the house, Richard was still sitting on the same chair. He kept recalling Tristan’s words he said before he left.
’It s not that easy to open up son’ his eyes welled up and a tear rolled down his cheek.
This was the second time in his life Richard have found himself so helpless. First, it was for Raven, and now his daughter.
"What are you thinking so much Uncle. Richard" a familiar voice snapped him out of his thought and his eyes turned cold the next instant. He knew who the person was and she was able to get him to irk just why her voice was.
Tori approached Richard from the side, carrying him a glass of water. Her eyes observed his stern face and she let out a chuckle. "Anger doesn’t suites you," she said and placed the glass of water in front of him on the round wooden table.
Richard had never despised anyone before but Tori, she had got on his nerves. He never thought behind such an innocent-looking face hide a cunning, scheming girl who was here to destroy her daughter and son-in-law.
Moving his eyes Richard gave Tori a cold stare. If he wasn’t helpless, he would’ve wiped that smile off her face.
The corner of his lips then curled up and he smirked which made Tori drop her smile and she frown. She had been on her best behavior with Richard because she didn’t want him to face the same fate as Piper. She still blamed herself for whatever happened to her.
She thought warning Richard would keep this hold man wrapped in her hand but it wasn’t like that. Though he was scared, his mouth was enough to share her entire being with his shocking words.
Yes, Richard had tried reaching out to the cops, but they were quick to stop him from doing so. He was like an untamed beast who only wanted to expose her but when he found that she wasn’t the only one behind Piper’s execution but had a huge backup, Richard found himself slowly falling into an abyss.
His entire house was seized by some Assassins and he wasn’t even able to stop them. Without his knowledge, his surrounding was been monitored and he was only able to find out about it after Piper’s letter.
"Why are you smiling old man" Tori warned. Her eyes carefully observe Richard.
"Nothing. I just wanted to see if my smile changes your mood and guess what it did" Richard just tricked her with his fake smile, sensing her face turn pale the next moment.
She can try a hundred times to appear strong in front of him by giving him that cunning look but he wasn’t so dumb to not see through her actions.
Tori wasn’t someone who could hold her expression, she failed many times getting swayed by his words.
Chapter 337: Linda’s boyfriend
Tori’s lips twitched as she tried fighting back her annoyance. Richard has been taking her warnings lightly. She had to ensure the man was within his limits and let them carry on their plan smoothly.
"You are underestimating my power Uncle. I can erase this smile of yours this instant. Do you want me to hurt your daughter, I heard she is pregnant"
Richard’s face turned pale and his expression crumbled as fear took over his playfulness. He quickly jumped out from his chair and yelled," No!... You can’t do anything to her"
Tori smirked and took a step closer to him and whispered," If you don’t want me to hurt her then behave or else it won’t take me a second to end both of their lives" her eyes held no emotions in them and it was enough to scare Richard.
Taking a step back she smiled and left from there leaving Richard frozen in the same spot.
It took him a while to snap out of his shocked state only to realize that Tori was already gone, but the words she told him pierced like a nail in his heart.
*****
Inside the moving car, Linda eyes the man sitting next to her in the front seat and sneered.
"I warned you never show me your face unless I ask you" her voice held authority as she took a glance at the person who have been boring his lustful eyes on her.
"I missed you" she heard him say and the next second she found him tracing his finger on her hand.
Linda quickly jerked off his hand and heard him chuckle. "Why are you so upset Linda? It’s not like anyone saw me" the man said and this time he reached his hand next to her collarbone and tucked her hair behind her shoulder.
"I have been craving for you" slowly leaning forward he buried his face into her neck and started living a light kiss on them.
"Hmm... Ryan stop that. I am driving" she yelled and the man quickly stopped pulling himself back.
Linda could feel her body heat up and she eyed him with the same lust and speeded the car to his apartment.
******
The moment they entered the house, Linda was pinned against the closed door with Ryan hungrily assaulting her lips.
He had been missing this excitement with her and now he wanted to explore her like there was no tomorrow.
Linda too got swayed by the pleasure and kissed him back. Her legs wriggled when he let go of her lips and trailed down to her neck, then her collarbone and finally halting at her chest.
Pressing her boobs over the fabric Ryan heard Linda whimper with pleasure. He pulled his face and watched her flush face. His eyes blazed with desire and he bend down carrying her in his arms and walked toward the bed.
In no time they found themselves naked with Ryan pressing his form body against her. His shaft was standing tall reading to enter her cave.
His mouth was busy sucking her erect nipple while his hand was busy kneading the other.
Linda was enjoying every bit of it feeling rejuvenated by his touch that she didn’t mind if he was being rough with her.
Ryan felt more ignited by her sensual moan that he didn’t bother to be gentle and went with his rough actions on her.
Sensing her wetness against his dick, Ryan pulled back and quickly positioned himself in between her legs and started rubbing the tip of his length on her folds.
"Umm... Ryan... don’t play with me" Linda arched her back with her chest heaving upwards showing her perfect round breast with her erect nipples as she moaned his name.
Grabbing her right breast, Ryan smirked as he kept rubbing against her until his precum leaked from his tip and he sighed.
"Let’s get it done" she heard him say and the next second he thrust deep inside her and heard her yelp in pleasure.
Once inside her, Ryan slowly started moving his hips letting her adjust before he started the main action.
Linda wrapped her legs around his waist and found him pounding against her. "Faster.." she said and he increased his pace going all deep and hard on her until he sprung his seed inside her and pulled back falling next to her on the bed.
Both kept panting as they tried to catch their breath and once they compose, Linda turned to wrap her arms around Ryan and rested her head on his chest.
"Next time don’t come looking for me unless there isn’t something urgent" Linda was now back to her normal self.
Ryan smiled tracing his palm over her arm. "Have you managed to convince grandpa that we aren’t together?" he asked.
"Hmm... he is finally convinced but if you keep showing up like this then I don’t know what will happen. You need to be cautious Ryan" this time she craned her neck up and watched him with concerned eyes"
Ryan nod his head and leaned forward to peck her lips. Pulling back he said, "But it’s so hard to stay away from you babe" he sounded helpless.
Ryan Becker was Linda’s boyfriend whom she wanted to get married to but her grandfather Mr. Acme was against it.
Ryan belonged to a lower-class family with no permanent job in his hand. He wasn’t someone who was reliable. His poor status and lack of stability made him object to their relationship and he asked Linda to break all ties with him and focus on their family business.
But it wasn’t as simple as it appeared. There was something the old man wasn’t aware of which was also the reason why was Lind so determined to be with him.
His gentle words broke her thoughts and melt her heart as her face softened. Bringing her hand close to his face she caressed his cheek. "Just a few more days. Let me get a hold of everything I have on my mind, I will surely return to you and we will leave happily" she assured him and sealed his lips once again engaging in another hot sexual activity.
*****
Alice and Noah got ready to leave for work. Last night she was finally able to convince Noah to let her resume the work as she had to look after many things and can’t ignore it any further.
At first, he was totally against it but when she called the doctor and he assure him that she was doing better, Noah then gave it a nod, but hesitatingly. He still wanted her to take a complete rest but Alice wanted to indulge her attention on her work.
She had many commitments to fulfill and the more she would delay her work, the more she would end up stressing herself.
They both walked out of the building when suddenly Alice noticed Natalie and her feet stopped on her own.
"Natalie is here" she muttered and Noah too came to a sudden halt.
"What?" he creased turning his head towards his right and watched her tuck her chin showing him the girl standing next to her car.
"What is she doing here?" he almost yelped jumping on his spot.
’Damn this was going way too fast’ he thought looking at Natalie who had been waiting outside.
"I think I should go first. Remember we need to be careful" Alice said and walked ahead.
Stepping out of the entrance, Alice’s eyes met Natalie’s and she noticed her frown.
She had met this girl twice and every time their eyes met Alice didn’t forget to notice the hate in them. Natalie despised her.
Alice ignored her and walked toward her car. Unlocking the door she was about to step in when she heard Natalie’s voice from behind and she stopped.
"Alice" Natalie called and watched her turn to face her.
It wasn’t Alice she was hoping to see but now that she was in front of her, Natalie had to make a few things clear.
"Yes," Alice answered looking straight into her eyes.
Alice kept her face blank as Natalie’s presence disgust her. She didn’t forget the images she saw of her hugging Noah and she felt like ripping her hands off her shoulder for touching her man.
Natalie noticed her cold tone and the frown on her face deepened. ’What does she think of herself’ she mentally asked eyeing Alice but soon dropped her annoyance and came straight to the point.
"What are you still doing here? I mean don’t you feel strange staying next to your ex’s apartment and facing him every day" Natalie asked maintaining her cool but her eyes glimmer when she noticed Alice’s face break into a smile.
"And why should I be?" Alice countered back and watch her lips twitch. She could tell that Natalie was trying to keep her anger at bay which made her smile even more.
Natalie fume at her straightforward words and said," I have never seen such a shameless girl like you. After whatever you did, don’t you feel any regret"
Alice chuckled and crossed her hands over her chest. "I can call you the same Natalie. Weren’t you too shameless to lurk around a man who already had someone in his life" she didn’t hold back her words this time?
Alice wanted to show Natalie her place. It wasn’t she who was shameless but her who was obsessing over a man who had nothing to do with her.
Natalie clenched her teeth and her palm round into a tight fist. "How dare you call me shameless" her anger erupt and she raised her hand to slap her.
"Natalie!..."
Chapter 338: See the doctor
Noah’s stern voice startled both Natalie and Alice and they looked behind and saw Noah approaching them.
Natalie panicked and quickly dropped her hand, clutching her palm into a fist while her eyes observed Noah as he came and stood next to them.
His cold eyes made her flinch making her blood run dry. " What are you doing?" his voice void of any emotion.
Alice moved her eyes from Natalie to Noah as panic erupt in her heart. ’This wasn’t suppose to happen’ she thought and looked at Noah. She could see the rage in his cold eyes and she doubt whether he would be able to hold it.
The moment their eyes met, she quickly motioned him ’don’t’. Her heart raced inside her chest getting anxious about his reaction and she only prayed Noah wouldn’t over react and ruin everything.
Turning his eyes towards Natalie, he watched paleness take over her face. He just wanted to rip Natalie hands off her shoulder, so she wouldn’t dare to touch his girl.
’I will make everything worse for you Natalie. Just wait and watch’
"N-Noah I..." Natalie tried to speak but she fumbled on her words. The look in Noah’s eyes made her forget the words she wanted to use in her defense.
Alice sensed the tension between them and butt in," If you both are done, will you excuse me. I don’t have an entire day to stand here"
Noah’s piercing gaze broke and he looked at Alice who passed them a sarcastic smile. His anger slowly began to cool down when he sensed the assuring look in her eyes.
If not for her, he would’ve taught Natalie a huge lesson.
"As if we are unemployed. Just like you even we are busy people" Noah dropped his coldness and return back to his usual self stepping into the act.
He then turned to Natalie and watched her blink at him. "Lets go. I don’t want to share the same space as her" his words took Natalie by surprised and her mouth opened into a small O.
Without waiting for her reply Noah just turned and walked towards his car.
"Excuse me" Alice moved Natalie aside and opened her cars door and stepped in.
Natalie was still processing with whatever happened. She felt like a fool standing there. ’What did just happened?’ she thought to herself.
Honk!!
Natalie jumped aside when Alice honked at her. Before she could understand what happened, Alice accelerated her car and drove away.
Her thoughts were still muddle but she soon compose herself and walked towards Noah’s car where she found him waiting for her.
Now that Alice was gone, she once again began to feel uneasy. She didn’t know she was suppose to react when Noah asked her about the previous incidence.
The moment she stood in front of him, she opened her mouth to speak. "Noah I.."
"It’s okay Nate, you don’t have to explain" Natalie gasp on his words staring at him with wide eyes.
"I know, Alice must’ve said you something which might have made you lose your cool"
’So he had seen’
Natalie was dumbfounded by his words. He was taking her side, blaming Alice for her outburst.
"By the what words of her made you so upset" he asked breaking her thoughts.
Natalie pursed her lips. Should she tell him or not, she thought.
Taking a deep breath she reached her hand to hold his and looked into his eyes. "Why don’t you move out and find a new place for yourself. Didn’t you say that you don’t like to see Alice, then why to stay here and hurt yourself"
Noah was surprised by her words. ’So this is what she was trying to do. She wanted Alice to leave him and move to a new place. Such an insecure girl’ he thought mentally shaking his head.
They were still hiding their marriage and he guaranteed, Natalie will go crazy after learning that it isn’t easy to separate them at least not in this lifetime.
"I can’t Natalie" his words made her frown and she looked at him with sharp gaze.
"Why? Didn’t you both breakup" she was again doubting him and Noah could sense it in her displeased tone.
"You are getting me wrong Natalie. It’s not what you are assuming. I do want to leave this place but I can’t..." he gave her a pitiful look but she didn’t flattered instead the frown on her forehead deepened.
Letting go of his hand she crossed her arms over her chest and asked," Why?"
Noah sighed and lowered his eyes and said," I don’t want to make her feel highly of herself. I don’t want to let her win against by weakness"
Slowly lifting his head he further continue," I want to fight my feeling for her Natalie and prove myself that her presence doesn’t bothers me. In that way I will finally find myself moving on from her"
"I just don’t want to give the power to control my emotions" he confessed, staring straight into her eyes.
Natalie didn’t faze and kept her gaze on his as if she was trying to see through his words and when she didn’t find any doubt in them she relaxed dropping her hands down.
"Fine, if that’s what you want but you need to promise me one thing" she asked with a condition waiting ahead for him.
"What promise" this time it was Noah who furrowed his brow slightly and watch her open her mouth to speak ahead.
"You won’t melt you heart for her again. She have already hurt you a lot Noah and I don’t want her to trap you again in her sweet act" Natalie was still insecure about Alice even after they broke up. She couldn’t stand her presence knowing how much Noah had adored her.
’What if he changes his mind and run back to her forgetting everything?.. No I can’t let this happen’
Noah observed her trying to analyze her thoughts and bobbed his head. "I won’t, I promise" he answered with an assuring smile.
Natalie sensed the sincerity in his words and nodded before she forced out a faint smile.
******
Brown mansion
After getting changed Tristan and Ashley joined Richard for breakfast. They were silently having their morning meal after Tori served them and returned back into the kitchen.
Ashley and Tristan had their eyes on Richard and Tori the entire time before she left. They could feel the tension on Richards side as he didn’t bother to raise his head once and just kept feasting plainly.
Sensing the discomfort, Ashley decided to break the silence. "How do you feel now Dad?" she asked and watched Richard turn his eyes from the meal to her.
"Better than yesterday" he said with a faint smile and watched her bob her head.
"But we still have to visit the hospital. The doctor wants to run some test on you" she said.
Tristan noticed the change in Richard’s expression. They had already expected it. If they had to talk with him, they had to get him out of the house. With the camera’s around they can’t have a proper conversation with him.
"But didn’t the doctor said everything his fine and I only need rest" Richard couldn’t understand why would the doctor wants to run some test on him. It wasn’t that he was scared but it came like a surprise to him.
"Yes, he did but we got a call from him this morning and he asked me to bring you for the personal check-up" Ashley kept her expression neutral and so did Tristan.
Richard observed them for sometime before he agreed. "Okay" and with that they finished their breakfast and left the house.
Tori who was standing next to the kitchen’s frame fumed when she heard them. Though they mentioned about taking Richard to the hospital still she couldn’t skip her doubt on them.
"I have to follow them" she muttered and removed her apron before she tailed off following them secretly.
She feared Richard might end up spilling everything about her and their plan will get ruin.
Chapter 339: Richard’s confession
Inside the car, Tristan kept looking through the rearview mirror and found a particular car following them.
’It’s her’ he thought and turned to look at Ashley motioning to her with a nod.
Richard on the other hand was sitting in the back seat with his eyes secretly observing the two. He knew something wasn’t as it seemed and both Ashley and Tristan are hiding something from him.
Soon they reached the hospital and entered the tall building. Tristan had his eyes around and it didn’t take him long to find Tori.
Entering the lift, they rode to the second floor and headed to the doctor’s cabin.
Tori wore a mask and entered the hospital secretly tailing behind them. She kept her distance just to be on the safer side and watched the trio enter the doctor’s room.
Tori quickly stopped and frowned. ’What if it’s really about the test and nothing else’ she thought to herself.
She had been following them for a while now, keeping a close eye on them but not once she did see them talking. They have been quiet all the time.
Tori knew Richard would never open his mouth and put his daughter’s life in danger, but still, she had to make sure the man doesn’t get flowed out of emotions.
Paying a final glance, Tori was about to turn and leave when suddenly she collided with someone and she stumbled a little back.
"Hey watch out" she heard a voice that made her freeze on her ground.
It had been so long since she had heard that voice, but how is this possible? The owner of the voice was long gone.
Her heart filled with hope, expecting just for once she would be able to see her sister and everything would return to the past where she lived a peaceful life with her family.
"I am sorry," the lady apologized staring at the young girl in front of her, and turned to leave.
Snapping out of her world, Tori raised her head up but before she could look at the person, she just walked past her and just like that, the familiar feeling was too gone leading to emptiness.
"Why did she sound like her?" Tori mumbled as she watched the woman walk farther away from her. It was just her back she could look at as she slowly disappeared from her sight.
Tori too didn’t stay there and left the hospital before anyone could see her.
******
Inside the room, the doctor was yet to show up and with each passing second with Ashley and Tristan around Richard had started to feel anxious.
"Why isn’t the doctor here?" after much debate, Richard finally asked.
Tristan pulled his attention from his cell phone and turned to look at Richard. "She left," he said and shoved the phone back into his suit’s pocket.
A frown marred Richard’s face and he turned to look at Ashley and then back at Tristan. "Someone was following us?" he asked.
Jack was already following Tori on Tristan’s order and when he watched her leaving the hospital, he quickly informed him.
Ashley heaved a sigh of relief before she turned to face her father. "Hmm, it was Tori who had been tailing us all this while to the hospital" the mention of her name made Ashley’s face turn cold.
She was barely controlling herself. If t wasn’t regarding her father’s safety she would’ve confronted the girl punishing her for scheming against them.
Richard gape at her in shock feeling every nerve of his body turning cold. He knew Ashley and Tristan were suspicious about Tori, but he never thought they would be carefully spying on her every move.
Tristan observed the paleness taking over Richard’s face and immediately motioned Ashley something to which she bobbed her head and asked. "Dad, you don’t have to be scared. She won’t be able to monitor you"
Richard’s eyes widen in shock as he stared at Ashley with complex emotion. ’Do they already know about the cameras installed inside the house’ he thought.
"W-why would I be scared of her" Richard scoff trying to mask his uneasiness behind his strong façade.
Ashley sighed and reached her hands to hold Richards and spoke," We know everything dad. You don’t have to lie to us anymore" her words came like a bolt to him and it broke the last string of braveness Richard had been trying to put on.
"H-How did you know" Richard eyed the two with extreme shock marred over his face. Anyone could tell how much affected he looked by the revelation.
"It’s a long story but we are glad nothing happened to you" Tristan was the one to speak. He had already mobilized his men to search the other side of the Brown property which they call the forbidden land and he came to find that, they had a dungeon built on the other side.
The place was forbidden because many people had lost their lives after getting trapped inside the dungeon unable to make it out of the place.
The land had been rotting for many years when suddenly Richard found out about it and without much thought, he purchased it and built a house, but he made sure no one would trespass the fence marked around the mansion.
Tristan told them everything he came to notice around the mansion, he didn’t hide about the dungeon too, and told them how he had seen lights on the other side as if there were people residing in that place.
"How is this possible, the dungeon is very dangerous for anyone to stay there. Many people have lost their lives as they couldn’t find their way out of it" Richard couldn’t believe anyone would be able to reside in such a place, but if Tristan had noticed something unusual then, he shouldn’t doubt him.
"I don’t know why but I feel it’s all related to Tori and the people supporting her" Ashley mumbled absentmindedly.
She had been racking her brain for quite a while after Tristan told her about the spy cameras around the house and now this new piece of information. Everything led them to Tori.
Tristan nodded agreeing to her suspicion. He too felt the same but still, he wanted to find more of her details. It was confirmed that she was an assassin who was sent to spy on Richard, but the purpose was still unclear.
They still had to know the person whom she was working for and why she was targeting Richard.
Fear once again aroused in Richard’s heart and he pulled his hand out from Ashley’s hold making both Tristan and Ashley crease at his reaction.
"Dad, what’s wrong?" Ashley asked when once again Richard started to panic.
"I don’t want you both to stay with me. Leave the mansion as soon as possible" Richard recalled the words Tori said to him as a warning.
Now that Tristan and Ashley were aware of her identity as a spy and if by any chance she happens to learn about it then she would hurt-
Richard couldn’t even finish his words, imagining the worst. He had to ask them to leave the Brown mansion without leading to any suspicion. He can’t risk their lives.
Tristan and Ashley shared a glance at each other before Tristan looked back at Richard and asked, "Dad, is there something you are still hiding from us" he could sense Richard still had a few things wrapped up to himself and they wanted to know every little thing.
Richard’s restless eyes fell on Tristan had he gulped a mouth full of saliva. He was contemplating if he should confess everything to them. Was it a good idea to open up?
"Dad, there is nothing to worry about. We won’t let anything happen to you" Ashley assured him because she assumed he was scared because of his safety but little did she know, it was her whom she was scared for.
"It isn’t about me Ash, I don’t care if Tori happens to kill me once she learns about you both knowing her reality" his word left them speechless.
"Then what is bothering you," Tristan asked as he sensed something usual in Richard’s panicked behavior this time.
Richard held his breath as he moved his eyes from Ashley and Tristan. ’What reason he was supposed to give them this time and will they believe him’, he thought.
Ricard was feeling helpless. He didn’t want to disclose the threat Tori had been using to silence him, but he also knew he wouldn’t be able to lie to them.
After much thought, Richard finally heaved out a sigh and decided to tell them everything. "Tori has warned me to keep my mouth shut and if she happens to find that you both know about her truth, she would harm Ashley and... the baby in the womb"
Richard covered his face as soon as he finished those words but he didn’t fail to notice the change in the air around them. A sudden coldness took over the room making him freeze on his chair.
Chapter 340: She won’t do anything to him
Inside one of the doctor’s cabins, a woman pulled away the scarf around her face and eyed the man sitting in front of her.
"How long do I have to keep visiting?" she asked sounding annoyed.
The man who was going through her reports finally raised his head and looked at the girl in front of him. His eyes observed her for some time before she closed the file and clasped his palm together on the surface of the table.
"Unless I don’t see any significant change in your behavior" Dr. Jaden, her physiatrist replied.
"How can you say that? I have been regular with my therapy session. Yet you say there isn’t any change in my mental health" Sandra was now getting pissed.
Jaden promise her after this visit he wouldn’t be calling her for regular check-ups but now he was backing down from his words.
"I can’t help. it’s your father’s order. I can’t go against his words" Jaden replied as he watched her face turn even ugly.
"Dad" she murmured clenching her teeth in fury.
Continuing her regular therapy session, Sandra stepped out of the cabin when her eyes caught a familiar figure and her eyes shined with excitement.
"Tristan" the man she couldn’t forget even after he betrayed her. She was still crazy for him.
Sandra was about to take a step ahead but stopped recalling something. "I can’t let him notice me" she mumbled and quickly covered her face with the scarf and silently followed the man but once again her feet stopped when she noticed the woman next to him.
She felt her blood boil inside her veins as she watched Ashley walking by his side, with their hands intertwined.
Sandra had the urge to pull her away from the man she loved but she couldn’t. ’It still wasn’t the right time’ she told to herself and turned around walking the other way and left the hospital.
Entering the parking lot, she hopped into her car and quickly made a call to Lucas. The moment he answered the call she yelped," How long will it take for Gabriel to trap Ashley"
"..."
Sandra wanted to know how far Gabriel had managed to woo Ashley, so she could further execute her plan. She had to clear Ashley’s existence if she wanted Tristan all by herself.
Lucas was currently at Gabriel’s place as they were both busy discussing a few details related to the shoot of his movie when suddenly Sandra called him.
Luckily he had saved her number with another name just for safety and when his phone rang, Gabriel didn’t get suspicious.
Standing on the balcony of Gabriel’s room, Lucas heard her yell from the other end and froze. ’How long will it take Gabriel to trap Ashley’
It took him a while to register her words. Composing himself, he turned to look at Gabriel who was busy with his work and then turned his attention to the call.
"He is still working on it" Lucas whispered making sure his voice would be audible to only Sandra and not the man inside the room.
Sandra on the other side of the call fumed in anger. She had been listening to the same answer from Lucas god knows for how long, but now she was losing her patience.
Clutching the phone in her hand tightly, she warned," Listen to me carefully Lucas. If Gabriel fails to trap Ashley then you will lose everything that you have gained until now. I will ask my dad to snatch everything from you, bringing you and your stupid daughter on the street"
Lucas’s eyes grew wider in shock and he shook his head instantly getting scared by her warning. He knew she was capable of doing every word she spoke and before that could happen Lucas have to assure her.
Gabriel was still working on pursuing Ashley and he was confident enough that they would soon achieve their goal.
"Please, don’t do anything reckless. I ask you to be a little patient with us. I am sure Gabriel will succeed in whatever plans he has made in his mind. Please have faith in us" he begged her.
"Then do as I say or else be ready to lose everything" her emotionless voice spoke from the other end and she hung the call leaving Lucas in utter disbelief.
He could feel the sweat covering his back underneath his suit and he slowly looked at Gabriel’s who had his back facing him as he sat on the couch.
"I have to do something?" he mumbled to himself before shoving back his cell phone inside his pocket and step inside the room.
"Sorry, it was an urgent call" Lucas apologize for interrupting the meeting and took back his seat.
Gabriel eyed him with his brow cocked up. He noticed the small sweat buds on his forehead and asked," Why are you sweating? Did the person on the call threaten you or something?"
Lucas snapped his head in Gabriel’s direction trying to see through his expression. ’Did he hear our conversation’ he thought.
Gabriel noticed his face turn pale at his remark and chuckled. "Relax I was just asking?"
Lucas slowly let out a sigh when he saw Gabriel teasing him. When did this ice-cold man start to pull a prank on anyone, he thought and quickly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped off the sweat.
"You have been acting quite different lately. Sometimes it leaves me thinking whether you are the same old Gabriel or there is something inside you changing" Lucas didn’t dwell on his remark for too long and quickly changed the topic.
He had noticed some change in Gabriel after he joined the acting institution. His poker face had started to show emotions on it and not to mention how he had seen him smile to himself thinking about something in his mind.
He wanted to know what was that thought which was enlightening his always grumpy mood.
Gabriel stopped smiling when he heard Lucas noticing the changes in him. He was the only one but even Max and Tori happened to notice that.
"It’s nothing. I am just trying to embed into the character I will be portraying in the movie" Gabriel was flustered by his remark and instantly defended himself.
He didn’t want anyone to assume anything or it was just him who was trying to run from this new development within himself.
Gabriel immediately brushed off his thoughts and returned to his normal aloof self and glared at Lucas. "We have already wasted enough time now can we resume whatever we have to discuss"
Lucas noticed the change in Gabriel’s tone and the playfulness on his face weathered and he quickly pursed his lips before bobbing his head like an obedient child.
"Let’s continue from where we stopped" Gabriel heard him say and they resumed their discussion.
Throughout the conversation, Gabriel found himself spacing out whenever there would be a mention of Ashley’s name, and suddenly he felt the urge to talk with her.
Even though he knew, Ashley was with Tristan and they were married, he still couldn’t stop thinking about her.
’This isn’t right Gabriel. She is your target’ he told himself inwardly and once again brushed off all her thoughts from his mind and tried to focus on the meeting.
*****
Tristan and Ashley dropped Richard at the Brown Manson and then drove back to the Knight Mansion.
After Richard disclosed how Tori was threatening him with Ashley’s life, Tristan lost his cool. He quickly called Jack and asked him to keep an eye on her, monitoring her every move.
Now he was adamant to know who she really was and what was her purpose for stepping into the Brown mansion. If she had any grudge against Richard, then she would’ve harmed him the day, he found out about her truth but she didn’t and it only meant, he wasn’t the one she was targeting but rather her target was Ashley. But then the question was why?
How did she know Ashley and why was she threatening Richard by using her name?
Tristan had all the records of the people who tried to defame Ashley and most of them he had taken care of but Tori, her name wasn’t on the list. This was a mystery for him.
"I just hope dad would be safe there. I just can’t stop myself from worrying" Ashley’s concerned-filled voice broke his thoughts and he turned his head towards her who appeared to be bothered for her father’s safety.
"She won’t do anything to him unless she finds anything suspicious about his behavior" Tristan stated.
They discussed a few things with Richard before they dropped him back at the Brown mansion. It wouldn’t be a good choice to keep him out of the house knowing how suspicious Tori was in regard to him.
They could sense she was trying her best to threaten Richard so he wouldn’t disclose her intentions to them but little did she know they were already aware of her motives but still there was more about it they needed to find.