Ch. 341..345: Charmed by the Billionaire CEO Chapter 341-345

Chapter 341: Fake her death

After hanging up the call on Lucas, Sandra instructed her driver Elis to drive her to the Point stone Villa.

Sandra had been secretly living there, monitoring her targets with the help of Lucas and a few more men who her father assigned for her safety.

Entering the house, she marched to her room and slammed the door close. Her craziness was still not tamed even after Patrick her father summoned the best doctor in the country S.

She still had this dangerous aura within her that always wanted to harm someone who tried to create hurdles in her decided way.

Standing in the middle of her room, she jerked off the scarf and tossed the purse from her hand, and frantically started looking around the room.

Even after Lucas assured her, she still could erase the image she had seen inside the hospital while leaving.

She was yet to get that thought in her mind when her eyes turned towards her dressing table and Ashley’s image appeared in the mirror. She was laughing at her as if it was mocking her with pity.

"How can you even think I will let you snatch my Tristan away from me" Sandra’s eyes blazed with rage and she looked around the entire room when her eyes fell on the vase kept on the side table.

Marching towards her bedside table, she picked up the vase filled with fresh flowers and slammed them furious on the mirror of her dressing table.

Numerous pieces of glass sprung across the room, shattering the mirror in one throw still Sandra wasn’t satisfied.

She walked over to the shattered pieces of glass and pulled the entire dressing table making it fall to the ground.

"I will never give Tristan to you. He is mine do you understand.... he is mine...only mine" Sandra was now imagining the things inside her room as Ashley and she started throwing everything, creating a huge mess inside the room.

Elis and a few other maids inside the house were used to their young miss crazy nature. Many tried to invade her private time but ended up getting hurt to calm her.

Sandra had gone even madder after she found out Tristan had married Ashley secretly.

Her entire life she thought what did she lack that not even once Tristan looked her the way he looked at Ashley. Wasn’t she as beautiful as her, then why did he choose her?

She had loved him even before Ashley came into his life, then how she be the first one to have him. No!... she will never let her take Tristan from her at least not in this lifetime.

Elis who had already noticed Sandra’s upset mood had sensed this chaos. Leaving the group outside Sandra’s room, he walked away and immediately called his master.

After twenty minutes, they finally heard the sound of a car entering the mansion and everyone quickly composed themselves knowing who the person was.

Patrick Thames entered the Villa followed by Elis who had been waiting outside the house for his Master’s arrival immediately guided him towards Sandra’s room.

His blank eyes ignored everyone around as he walked upstairs along with Elis and soon reach the room.

Elis breath a sigh of relief noticing that the commotion inside the room have finally silenced.

"Open the door" Patrick spoke. His eyes blankly started at the shut door.

Getting his master’s order, Elis quickly stepped forward and with the help of spare keys, he opened Sandra’s room door and then took a step back.

The muscle on Patrick’s face finally moved. He took a deep breath before reaching his hand towards the knob and clutched opened it.

Taking a step ahead, Patrick entered the room and closed the door shut. Elis on the other hand could only heaved out his breath in relief.

There was no one except Patrick who was able to handle their young miss and now when he was finally here they could carry on with their day smoothly.

Glancing at the closed door, Elis left from there.

*****

Inside the room, Patrick noticed the mess Sandra created by destroying everything around. She didn’t spare anything and it only made Patrick more worried for her.

He had been trying to tame her madness but even after hiring the best doctor for her, he couldn’t see any change in her behavior.

His eyes scanned the entire room but he couldn’t find Sandra anywhere, but the he turned to the other side towards the balcony and frowned.

A faint smoke kept blowing in the air and that when he realized, Sandra was actually there.

Without wasting a second Patrick marched towards the balcony and stepped out. Turning his head into the direction of the smoke, he found Sandra sitting on the floor with a cigarette tucked between the corner of her lips and watched her take a long puff

Sandra was so immersed in her own world failed to noticed her father standing next to her. It was only when she blow out the smoke, her red shot eyes opened and the first thing she saw was Patrick.

"Oh! So my dad finally remembered his way to my house" Sandra let out a chuckle commenting on Patrick’s sudden appearance humorlessly.

Patrick lips twitched on her sarcastic remark but he didn’t moved his eyes from her. He had been dealing with her madness since the day, he took her away from the prison by faking her death.

"Did you meet your doctor?" he asked ignoring her lame remark. He was used to her indifference and cold treatment but that didn’t stopped him from carrying for her.

"As if you don’t know. Didn’t your puppet doctor informed you about my progress report. I am sure he did as soon as I walked out from his cabin" Sandra scoffed and took another puff but this time she pulled out the stick from her mouth and tapped it on the floor extinguishing it.

Heaving out a blow she pushed herself up and faced Patrick.

Patrick on the other hand remained silent. Yes Jaden had already told him about her progress and he was displeased how Sandra kept ignoring his therapies like they didn’t matter anything to her.

He still remember the words Elis told him when he first went to meet Sandra inside the prison. She panicked at the mention of his name, evening went on telling that she doesn’t acknowledge him and he died long before.

Patrick had been searching for his family, but when he found Sandra was captivated by the cops for killing her classmate, he immediately used the insiders seeking help from them and setting a meeting with her.

He let Elis his most trusted man meet her knowing how his presence can lead to problems and he then went on explaining her the plan they choose to execute for her escape. He thought, she would easily accept it but when she straight away refuse to acknowledge him, he felt there was nothing apart from that he could do to get his daughter out from there.

Life inside the prison wasn’t that simple and he was well aware of it. Patrick didn’t wanted his daughter to go through the same mental stress as he had gone before he decided to leave them.

Sandra watched Patrick purse his lips into a thin line. Looking down she tap her feet on the stick lying on the floor and crumpled it with force before she again turned her attention back on Patrick.

"Is this about Tristan" Patrick finally asked. Though he already sensed it was in regards with the man she was crazily abscessed with but still he decided to ask.

The smile on Sandra’s face dropped slowly and her red eyes turned blank. The image of him and Ashley once again flashed across her mind and she gnashed her teeth feeling the anger slowly building up in her body.

"Why do you care when you aren’t even helping" she snapped her voice loud at Patrick.

Sandra had managed to divert her thoughts from that particular incident but her so called father once again brought up the topic.

"So it’s him again.." Patrick had assumed it right as always. He still couldn’t understand why would Sandra be so obsessed with a married man, but then how can he forget her crazy love for him that lead her to kill the girl name Alexa.

Patrick shook his head as he couldn’t deny the fact that some on Sandra’s qualities she had inherited from him and the rest from her mother. He doubted if his younger daughter also had the same traits.

Patrick suddenly felt his chest turn heavy. The thought of Tori once again cross his mind. It had been four years since he tried looking for her but there was nothing he could find about her.

After Sandra’s arrest, Tori and her mother were asked to leave the house by the landlord as they couldn’t afford to let the family of a criminal stay in his place. He would have to face a lot of out lash from the people around his neighbor hood.

Patrick remembered when Elis returned with a disappointed look after he couldn’t locate Tori and her mother anywhere but he chose to never give up. It has been four years, he was still looking for his wife and his daughter yet he couldn’t find them anywhere.

Chapter 342: I will help you

Patrick’s silence annoyed Sandra and she turned around walking inside the room. "As I always tell you. You don’t have to bother me just treated me as if I don’t exist"

Patrick pressed the space between his brows as he couldn’t tolerate Sandra’s harsh words. He had been trying to make up for his past mistakes, but she doesn’t seem to notice his affords.

"What should I do to gain your forgiveness, Sandra? I told you I had my reasons for leaving you all" Patrick once again tried to defend himself.

Sandra scoffed ignoring his explanation. Didn’t he realize what happened to them after he ran away like a coward, leaving behind his wife and Kids to face the hardships all alone?

Their life turned upside down when he walked out of their lives without a word affecting his wife mentally.

Patrick’s eyes beg for her acknowledgment. He wanted to do everything in his power to gain her forgiveness.

Sandra watched her father for a few seconds before she opened her mouth to speak," You want my forgiveness, don’t you?" her brow raised up and she crossed her hands over her chest looking keenly at the man, and watched him bob his head.

"Yes," Patrick quickly replied.

Sandra eyed her father with a cunning smile appearing on her face and took a step closer to him and said," Then help me get Ashley’s Knight out of Tristan’s life" her words made Patrick’s eyes widen in shock as he stared at her in disbelief.

"No!" he answered with hesitation.

Patrick knew Tristan was a very powerful man both his normal and underworld. His influence runs worldwide; provoking him would be like inviting death for oneself.

"You know it’s impossible. I can never accept your request" Patrick had been very clear with his decision. Though he was a powerful man now, he was still ranked lower than the Jaguar.

Sandra’s eyes darkened after Patrick decline her right on her face, pissing off her entire mood.

"Then get lost and don’t come here" she spat raising her voice at Patrick.

She was stupid to try her luck once again hoping at least this time Patrick would help her but just like every time he once again decline her.

"Sandra you know you can ask me anything but killing Tristan Knight’s wife would bring a war between two clans. Don’t you know how crazy that man is? He wouldn’t think twice before destroying everything around him if something happens to his beloved wife" Patrick didn’t hold back his anger this time.

He had repeatedly tried to explain to her that she should forget Tristan and move forward with her life. She could have anything she wants because now he was rich enough to provide her with everything, but no... her needle was still pointing at Tristan and she wasn’t ready to change her mind.

Sandra clenched her teeth in fury as she eyed Patrick with bloodshot eyes. If looks could kill she would have murdered her father right there but she couldn’t as she still needed him to execute her plan. His power and money were beneficial for her right now and she can’t harm him.

"You still wouldn’t help me if I tell you that I know where Tori is?" an evil grin appeared on her face making Patrick drop his jaw in shock.

For four years he had been trying to find his younger daughter Tori but she was nowhere to be found and now finally after all those years, he could see a glimpse of hope through Sandra.

"You know where Tori is?" Patrick grabbed Sandra’s shoulder, asking her with eagerness in his voice.

Sandra smirked mentally. She hit the right spot after a long time. How this thought never appeared in her mind.

"I do, but if you want me to tell you her whereabouts, then you have to help me" Sandra saw the shine in Patrick’s eyes dim when she demanded a helping hand in return.

"It’s only me who can tell you where she is" she kept her grounds firm not weathering even for a second. She wanted her father by her side until she reaches her goals and she wouldn’t give up until he agreed with her.

Patrick slowly loosens his hands from her shoulder. He could see she was playing her cards on him once again, slowly shaking his decision.

’Why is he taking so long to accept my words’ she thought as her eyes kept staring at Patrick. She just hoped this strike of hers doesn’t go wasted.

"Fine!"

All of a sudden Patrick said and that snapped her out of her thoughts.

"W-what do you mean?" she asked for the sake of assurance.

"I will help you and in return, you have to tell me where is Tori" Patrick for now decided to agree with her but not for too long because once he finds Tori, he would take them with him leaving this country for good.

*****

After convincing Natalie, Noah drove to his office but on his way, he received a call from Alice who asked him to meet her in their favorite coffee shop.

They decided to have breakfast together but Natalie’s sudden appearance and irrelevant warning pissed their mood.

Driving to the Café coffee day, Noah stepped out of his car and entered the shop only to find Alice waiting for him.

She took the corner seat away from every eye and watched Noah approach her.

Alice was expecting him to take the front seat, just like he always did but to her surprise, he walked past his seat and instead choose to sit next to her.

Shoving her deeper inside the seat, Noah turned his head and slammed his lips on her taking Alice by surprise.

He wanted to clear his mind and her kiss was his only remedy. He would erase all the alarming thoughts from his mind once he was done with the kiss.

Alice blinked her eyes initially but when she noticed there weren’t many customers in the shop she gave in and closed her eyes responding back to his urgent kiss.

Taking his sweet time Noah kissed Alice until his mind and heart were at peace and then pulled back. His eyes observed her pink cheeks and the corner of his lips curled up into an amusing smile.

"I am sorry-" he said as he traced his thumb over her swollen lips and continued "you need to redo your lipstick," the second he finished his words Alice pulled her face away hiding her embarrassment from him.

Giggling at her cute action Noah turned around and watched the waited to approach them with their orders in his hands.

Alice had already placed the order because she reached twenty minutes before Noah left the residential parking lot.

After the waiter left, both Alice nor Noah didn’t speak for a few minutes. There was a long pause between the two as they suddenly felt awkward starting a conversation.

Alice waited for Noah to speak but even after a few minutes passed she didn’t hear a word from him and that made her break the silence.

"Did you agree with her" Noah snapped his attention to her giving her a confusing look.

It took him a few seconds to register the meaning behind her words and suddenly an idea popped into his mind.

Alice was waiting for Noah to say something and when he did, she felt her blood run dry.

Noah heaved out a sigh and bobbed his head agreeing with her words. "I did" the depressed look on his face dropped Alice’s heart.

’He just went on agreeing with Natalie without consulting me’

"So now you will move out from your apartment just because she asked you" Alice shoved off that nagging feeling from her heart as anger took control over it.

Both her palms resting on the surface of the table balled into a tight fist, digging her nails into her flesh until it turned white.

Noah who was sipping the coffee noticed it and panic erupt in his heart. ’Was it a good idea to piss her off’ Noah was now slowly beginning to regret his words and before he could confess the truth, he heard her say once again.

"Mr. Noah Wayne, do you have a death wish? How can you go on taking decisions without discussing them with me" Alice’s anger had reached the boiling point and she was just a step away from bursting out.

"A-Alice I was joking.. please don’t get upset" quickly keeping the coffee mug aside Noah started coaxing Alice. Her chest heaved up and down while her nostrils flared in anger.

Alice shot a glare at Noah making him flinch in his seat. "Is this the right time to joke?" she asked.

Alice’s hand was itching to reach out and pull his ear showing him his mistake but she stopped herself knowing they weren’t in their house.

"I am sorry. I won’t do it again" Noah quickly held his ears and started begging for Alice’s forgiveness catching everyone’s eyes.

"What’s wrong with the girl? Why is she making such a handsome man apologize," the few customers who were present inside the shop noticed Noah beg Alice quickly came to defend him.

Alice:"...."

Chapter 343: Caught

"Will you stop doing that..." Alice gnashed her teeth as a wave of embarrassment passed through her. They had started to catch a lot of attention and that made Alice hide her face from everyone.

Half covering her face she motioned Noah to shut his mouth making him realize how everyone around was staring at them.

Noah quickly took a glance around and dropped his hands down. "Hehe.. babe let’s just finish up our breakfast and leave this place" Noah mumbled flashing Alice his forced smile and they quickly had their morning meal before they left the place.

Outside the coffee shop, Alice kept walking ahead leaving Noah behind. She just wanted to escape this place.

Alice was about to hop inside the car when a strong pair of arms pulled her and slammed the car’s door shut.

Noah pinned Alice against the car, hovering over her petite frame, and asked," Are you still upset?"

Alice glared at him for a few seconds but didn’t answer back. ’Don’t he see or now I have to express my emotions verbally’ Alice talked to herself.

Heaving out a sigh, she pulled her attention away from him and turned around." Let go. I am getting late"

This was her first day of work after the accident and she didn’t want to be late. She had work to finish off and prolonging it will only extend her working time.

"No! First, you have to answer me" Noah was too stubborn to let her go in a sullen mood.

He tried convincing her, confessing that he lied just to tease her but she took her to her heart and now wasn’t ready to forgive him.

Alice shot a glare back at Noah once again as she crossed her arms over her chest and faced him. " What do you want me to answer?" she rather asked him and watched him frown.

"You know it wasn’t funny Noah, yet you plan on pulling a prank on me just to make me jealous" she snapped at him.

Alice had been pretending that she was okay with whatever they and agreed on but deep inside she was scared.

Natalie had her eyes on Noah for a very long time and now Noah trying to trap her by gaining her sympathy was like an open invitation for her to get close to him.

She tried all means to touch Noah and that boiled her blood. Every time watched her try to catch Noah’s hands she felt like ripping off her hands from her shoulder but then she would remind herself that it was all a part of their plan and now, she had a bitter feeling creeping inside her heart.

’What if Natalie does something snatching Noah forever away from her’ this constant fear kept knocking her rational sense which would end up creating a void in her heart slowly making it grow bigger.

"I am sorry" Noah once again apologize. His eyes begging for forgiveness.

Noah realized it wasn’t a good idea and regretted it the second he heard Alice’s hurtful words.

Click! Click!

Someone far from them was busy snapping their pictures secretly hiding their frame behind a parked car.

"These much photo’s are enough" the man with black cap mumbled.

Once he was done clicking enough photo’s he turned and walked away from there.

Back to where the couple stood, Alice kept staring at Noah and watched him pout. She had always lost against his cute tactics and even now she found her anger subsiding slowly.

"Okay now stop acting adorable and let me go. I am getting late for work" Alice dropped her displeasure, losing against his cuteness and sigh in defeat. ’How am I suppose to be upset with him if he happens to act all cute even when apologizing’ she mentally shook her head.

Noah face bloom like a glowing flower and he quickly pecked her cheeks before releasing Alice from his cage. " I love you" he said and watched her lips curled into a shy smile.

Scratching her head Alice bobbed her head and turned around to open the cars door and stepped into. But before she closed the door, Alice glanced at Noah’s and a beautiful smile once again stretch over her lips and she answered," I love you too husband"

As if Noah got strike by cupids arrow, his hands reached to rest on his chest and he smile like a fool.

Alice could only shake her head. Noah had always been this dramatic when it came to express his love for her and that was the only thing that made her believe that Noah would never leave her no matter what difficulties they had to face.

Closing the door, she watched Noah blow a kiss on her way and with a good mood, Alice started the car and drive to her studio.

Noah watched her car leave and then it disappeared from his sight. With the smile still lingering on his face Noah was about to hop into his car when his phone began to ring.

"Sky" he mumbled and quickly answered the call.

The moment he heard his words from the other side, Noah smile changed into a sinister grin and he said," I am coming" with that he ended the call and climbed into the car and drove away.

After few minutes of drive, Noah stopped the car in front of the base and stepped out. Entering the building he walked toward the cell and flung open the door.

His eyes fell on the man Sky was interrogating and when their eyes turned to his direction, Noah motioned Sky to leave. Following his boss order, Sky vacated the cell room and shut the door close.

A pin-drop silence engulf the entire cell and the man who was sitting on the chair with his hands tied and mouth stuff with a piece of cloth started sweating profoundly.

"How many pictures did you click" Noah asked as he approached him but then his eyes fell on the camera placed on the table.

Ignoring the horrified look on the mans face Noah grabbed the camera and started swiping the pictures of him and Alice the ma clicked secretly.

Luckily he always had Sky following him secretly. He happened to notice a spy, secretly snapping their pictures outside the coffee shop and before he could reach his destination Sky caught hold on him, dragging him to the base.

"Oh! You have too many" Noah smirked as he scanned his dark eyes through their picture. He had managed to capture a handful, he thought.

The man on the chair was now shivering in fear. He wasn’t aware that the person he had been tailing was this powerful and deadly at the same time.

Noah placed the camera back on the table and pulled a chair for himself as he faced the man with his one leg crossed over his knee.

"I know it’s Avera who send you to follow us" the man heard Noah speak. His eyes grew larger in shock and he started crying hysterically.

If only his hands were untied and his mouth was unstuffed, he would have begged him to spare his life.

Noah could tell the man wasn’t as strong as he appeared to be from outside. His body language gave the answers.

Reaching his hand to his face, Noah pulled the stuff cloth from his mouth and watched the man broke more into tears. "Please let me go. You can take this pictures I won’t tell anybody"

"I will spare your life but for that you have to do as I say" Noah said and watch the bob his head quickly in agreement.

"I will do as you but please don’t hurt me" the man was scared to death after he witnessed the people around. They had guns and it wouldn’t take them a second to shoot him if he happens to go against their words.

Noah let out a smirk and looked at the man before he started speaking to him.

*****

[Hayes Mansion]

Avera had been sitting inside her room, eagerly waiting for the informer’s call. She had mobilized a spy who would monitor both Alice and Noah’s activities.

Even after witnessing their fights with her eyes, she wasn’t able to accept that the couple were not together anymore.

Tapping the cellphone in her hand, she kept staring at the screen, hoping for it to blink at once.’ Why haven’t he call me yet’ she mumbled unlocking her phone and searched through her call list.

"Should I call him" she said. Her thumb itching to press the call button that had his name on it.

Avera was hesitating on whether she should call him rather than waiting for the informer to reach her instead. But after a much debate, she finally pressed the call button and decided to contact him by herself.

The ring went on for a few second and just when she thought, he wouldn’t answer the call was picked.

"Hello" the man said with a low voice making Avera crease her brows but she quickly brushed her thought and asked," Any updates"

Avera had been very casual as she spoke with the informer but little did she knew, he wasn’t the only one who was listening her but there was someone else next to him who heard her speak.

Chapter 344: It’s impossible but..

"N-No ma’am" the informer choked as he answered her. His eyes looked at the piercing gaze that was glaring at him. Chills run down his spine as he watched Noah warn him with his eyes motioning him to speak well.

"Okay, but don’t give up, do keep following them. I am sure we will get some proof" they heard Avera speak.

"As you say, ma’am" he answered and she hung up the call.

"Good," Noah said pulling back the phone from his face and placed it back on the table.

"From now on you will be working for me" Noah declared looking at the man and watched him bob his head in agreement. It was the deal they made in exchange for his life.

If he wants to return safely then he had to follow his words.

Noah then called Sky and ask him to let the informer go but not before informing him to keep an eye on that man. He had to be very cautious because Avera had been trying every means to expose them and he couldn’t let that happen.

******

[Brown Mansion]

After returning from the hospital, Tori decided to spend some time inside her room. She saw Richard returning home with Ashley and Tristan leaving back to the Knight Mansion.

It was quite odd for them to leave so early after knowing Richard wasn’t feeling well, but she choose not to rack her brain for now. She had other things going on in her mind which was bothering her since the moment she stumbled with that woman, whom she failed to see.

"Why did her voice sound like sister" Tori mumbled. She could never be wrong when it came to Sandra. She was the closest to her sister and there is nothing about her she couldn’t remember.

"But how is this possible" Tori slammed her hands on either side of the bed and stood up. Resting her hands on her hips she kept biting her lower lips. She just missed seeing her face. "I should’ve followed her" she gnashed her teeth, dropping her hands in defeat.

Tori was feeling helpless all of sudden. There was something about that stranger woman that caught her attention but she wasn’t sure if her assumptions were right.

Composing herself, she turned around and walked towards the window, leaning her side on its frame while she looked at some unknown distance.

Her arms instinctively crossed over her chest as she recalled the day Gabriel came to take her from the slums.

After Sandra was prisoned, she and her mother had to vacate their house and find a new shelter for them. Slum was the only place where they could live for the rest of their lives.

Because of Sandra, Tori was suspended from her school and she had to pick up small jobs so she could manage the house. The hardship she went through still gave her goosebumps. She lost her mother who took her life after she couldn’t handle the mental illness that brought the worst out of her.

Ending her life was the only thing she felt best to end the misery. But her one decision turned Tori into an orphan. She had no one to rely on. Her father left them, her mother died and her sister, she was rotting in prison.

Her life had no meaning, she was just surviving without any hope until one day, Gabriel came out of nowhere taking her back with him.

It was then, she found Sandra was dead as she couldn’t handle Tristan’s betrayal. She took her life because she truly loved him, but he failed her.

At first, Tori wasn’t able to understand anything but after Gabriel told her the entire story, she started to hate Tristan, and soon that hate turned into revenge which she wanted to take in return for her sister’s life.

A cool breeze of wind snapped her out of her thoughts and a lone tear rolled down her eyes. There wasn’t a single day, she didn’t miss her sister. She couldn’t even see her for the last time and that guilt kept her urging more to her revenge against the Knights and the people around him, especially his wife, Ashley Brown.

She held no envy against Richard, but if he ends up creating hurdles in her way, then unfortunately she has to silence him.

With that thought, she straightened up and turned around when the phone inside her pocket buzzed. Pulling out she quickly answered it, "Yes Max," she asked.

"Did you find anything suspicious" she heard him say.

Max had been her mentor after Gabriel brought her to his base. He was a young man with great skills who trained Tori under him giving her the best lesson for fighting skills.

She respected the man for shielding her every time she makes a mistake helping her from behind the scenes and clearing the trace.

"No there was nothing to worry about. It was just a check-up" she answered whatever she witnessed after she followed the trio.

Silence engulfed them when suddenly Max asked. "Anything else you want to say"

Max knew Tori never liked to talk about personal stuff but after spending so much time with her, he understood most of her actions, and turning quiet all of sudden was one of them.

Tori heaved out a sigh after she heard him. Max was someone she could talk to about it as he was always there to listen to her problems.

"Max, would you believe me if I tell you I happen to stumble upon someone who is most dear to me" her words confused him but soon realization struck and he asked back," What do you mean Tori?"

Max and Gabriel knew it was only Sandra whom Tori loved the most and the question she asked was strange. Sandra was no more, then does it mean she had someone else close to her apart from her sister?

This thought made Max feel uneasy but he didn’t let it be evident in his voice.

Tori took a deep as she pinched her temple. She knew it was impossible but she always felt that her sister wasn’t dead, but hiding somewhere. She knew it was stupid of her to think so, but her heart wasn’t ready to accept that Sandra was no longer alive.

She remembered Gabriel telling her that Sandra’s corpse wasn’t handled by them as they weren’t her biological family and her funeral was done by the cops.

"I know it’s impossible but-" she paused as she bit her lips with hesitation. She didn’t want Max to think that she has lost her mind, but she told him about what she felt and saw.

Taking a deep breath she further continued," I think I met sister Sandra" she finished hoping Max would answer back, but when he didn’t she closed her eyes in defeat.

She knew it was impossible because if her sister was alive they would’ve found her and as a matter of fact, many people can share the somewhat same voice. Maybe she misunderstood her assumption.

"I-I know it can be-"

"Where did you see her?" Tori was cut off by Max’s sudden question and she blinked her eyes a few times. ’Did he believe her’ she thought to herself.

Composing her bafflement, Tori answered," In the same hospital where Ashley took Richard"

Tori felt her heart beat rapidly inside her chest. The thought itself was racing her heart for god knows why. Maybe somewhere deep inside her heart, she hoped Sandra was still out there and all of the news about her death was a lie.

Max didn’t answer her and just ended the call, leaving her hanging. Tori pulled away the phone from her ear and looked at it with amusement.

"What is he planning to do" she mumbled shoving the phone back into her pocket and patiently waited for him to call back.

Exactly after twenty minutes, Max called her back. "Why did you end the call?" she asked as soon as she answered.

"Tori" he paused for a few seconds making her anxious about his next words.

"I think you are right."

"What do you mean?" Tori asked with a restless voice as she tried to firmly grip her hold on the phone in her hand.

"You need to come to the base" Max was a little skeptical because he couldn’t believe whatever he saw was true, but he had to inform Tori.

Tori sensed the urgency in his words and she quickly agreed. Ending the call, she walked out of the room and headed to the dungeon, their secret base where she could find Max.

She made sure no one could notice her exit, especially Richard, and reached the forbidden place where she met Max.

No one would ever come to notice that inside this dangerous dungeon was a secret base built. Everything around here was protected from the outside world and only the people working for them had the access to enter there.

But little did she know, Tristan’s men were already monitoring them hiding in disguise.

The moment she stepped in, one of the men who was observing her quickly informed Tristan about the discovery.

"Well keep monitoring her and keep me updated" he order his men and ended the call before he turn to face Ashley.

"We were right, that forbidden place is their secret hideout"

Chapter 345: Played his cards well

Ashley’s eyes darkened as soon as he confirmed the words. Tristan was already doubtful about the people residing in the dungeon and now it was confirmed that the place was a hideout.

Tristan noticed the change in Ashley’s expression and was about to take a step closer to her when his phone buzzed once again and this time, he saw two image notifications.

Quickly opening them, his eyes widen in shock when he saw Max and Tori together and his mouth opened a little in disbelief.

"So it’s him she is working for" he mumbled with his eyes glaring at the mobile screen.

A creased marred on Ashley’s forehead and she walked closer to him, looking into the phone. "Max..." her voice came out in a whisper and she looked at Tristan with an unexplainable expression.

Tristan could tell, she had the same thoughts running in her mind as him and it didn’t take them long to conclude everything.

"It’s all Gabriel’s doing," Ashley said while placing her palm on her forehead. She couldn’t believe it, the person behind all of this was Gabriel.

He not only moved his entire base into the dungeon but also planted Tori in her house.

"He turned out to be way smarter than his father. It’s just that I underestimated him" Tristan heaved out a humorless chuckle, but soon his face turned blank.

Gabriel wasn’t just planning on harming Ashley but he was planning on eliminating everyone close to him.

Ashley now was extremely worried for Richard. ’What if he makes a mistake and they wouldn’t spare his life’ the fear of something happening to her father once again engulfed her heart.

"Tristan we need to do something. Dad... we can’t let him stay there for long" Ashley choked on her voice as she started to tremble.

It was the first time he had seen Ashley fall so weak that she broke into a panic state. Her eyes unsteady moved around the room as she started biting her lips.

’This isn’t good’ he thought and quickly embraced Ashley for a hug. He made sure it was a firm grip, keeping her pregnancy in mind, and started talking to her.

"Shh... calm down. Gabriel won’t harm him" Ashley whose body was trembling slowly calmed down when she heard his words and pulled back with Tristan’s arms still wrapped around her waist.

"How are you so sure about it, they didn’t spare Piper when she found out about their secret. My dad won’t be an exception" Ashley wanted to believe him but her mind wasn’t ready to think rationally.

Tristan could see the obligation in her orbs. She was scared for her father and why wouldn’t she be after knowing his life was at risk?

Letting go of Ashley’s waist, Tristan cupped her face and looked straight into his eyes. "Do you trust me?" he asked. His voice came out firmly as he bored into her intently.

Ashley pursed her lips and looked down. "I do Tristan. I trust your every word but I don’t trust them" she pulled his hands down her face and turned around.

She had turned way more sensitive, unable to handle her emotions and let them take over her firm thoughts.

Tristan was now feeling helpless. He wanted to rest assured Ashley but she wasn’t ready to understand.

Gabriel had played his cards very well but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to defeat him. He might end up scaring everyone dear to him but it won’t shake his determination of defeating him.

He wasn’t his enemy before nor he was now, but when he happened to cross his line after he tried to harm Ashley using his mere pawns, Gabriel ended up provoking Tristan.

Tristan kept staring at Ashley and heaved out a sigh. ’Damn you Gabriel’

******

As promised after office hours ended, Karl took Gwen to his house. Carrying the take-outs in their hands both entered the apartment.

Take a quick shower, both had their dinner together and now they were currently sitting on the couch having ice cream.

"Hmm... I so wanted to taste this new flavor." Gwen moaned out savoring the delicious flavor of the ice cream in her hand.

Karl smiled watching her eat like a kid and reached his hand to wipe the small taint of cream from the corner of her lips.

"Do you like it that much?" he asked and watch her bob her head. "Very much. I think you should taste it" she said and passed a spoon full of ice cream for Karl to taste.

Without any hesitation, he took a bite and to his surprise, the flavor tasted good than the one he was having.

Nodding his head Karl agreed to her. Soon they both finished eating and Karl walked into the kitchen to place the empty bowl into the sink.

By the time he returned to the living room, he found Gwen sitting on her seat absentmindedly. Taking a quick walk toward the couch, Karl sat next to her and asked," What are you busy thinking?"

Gwen had been in her thoughts, snapped out, and turned to look at Karl. Her eyes stared at him in a daze as she watched him give a confused look.

"Gwen, is there anything wrong with my face or... you like it so much that you are planning on kissing me" Karl joked making Gwen gape at him in awe.

Gwen felt her face burning up at his cheesy words and she quickly averted her eyes from him.

"No, it’s not like that. Why would I plan on kissing you when I can kiss you anytime I want? You know I don’t have any restrictions for that" she said shrugging her shoulder, but little did she know, her cheeks had already tainted pink due to shyness.

Karl let out a small chuckle as agreed with her. "I know... but then let me guess what else you might be thinking," he said leaning closer to her face as his eyes tried to see through her thoughts.

Sensing the closeness, Gwen turned her head and found Karl’s face extremely closer to hers, while his eyes intently observing her.

"W-what are you doing?" she asked feeling the heat creep through her entire body.

"Reading your mind," he said.

Gwen blinked her eyes finding his behavior a little stranger but before she could think any further Karl let out a chuckle making her frown.

"Look at your face. You look like a little innocent lamb" Karl mumbled as he kept grinning.

"You..." anger erupt within her heart and she slapped Karl on his arm.

"Stop teasing me..." she yelled, getting upset. She wasn’t expecting Karl to tease her when she was seriously busy thinking about something.

Crossing her hands over her chest, Gwen looked ahead, ignoring Karl as she could handle the laugh.

Karl on the other hand noticed her displeased look and stopped smiling. He shouldn’t have pulled her leg knowing how sensitive she can turn at times.

"Okay, I am sorry... I didn’t mean to upset you" Karl apologized but Gwen didn’t spare a glance at him.

Left with no other choice, Karl turned Gwen by her shoulder and made her look at him. This time he didn’t appear to be in a mischievous mood and that somewhat lowered her anger.

"I was just trying to ease your mood after I saw you deeply immersed in your thoughts" Karl tried to explain.

Gwen’s anger had completely dissipated by now and she was no longer upset with his prank. Letting go of her folded hands she sighed as a small pout appeared on her lips.

Sensing the change in her mood Karl relaxed. Taping the tip of her nose, he pulled her into his arms and leaned on the backrest of the couch.

"Tell me what were you busy thinking so much," he asked with a gentle tone as he started stroking her arm.

Gwen was a little hesitant to speak about what was going on in her mind but she had to tell him. Taking a few more seconds she finally opened her mouth as she wrapped her arm around his torso and said," Linda...don’t you think she is trying to befriend me"

"Why would you think that?" Karl asked. His head craned a little down as he watched her bite her lips.

"I don’t know but her over-friendly behavior is bothering me. She wasn’t like that when we first met. What made her change her behavior towards me"

Gwen couldn’t forget how Linda tried to look down on her when they first met. She had been judging her for being too young for Karl. The way her eyes kept criticizing her, Gwen couldn’t forget.

She was so upset that she fought with Karl, thinking she wasn’t good enough for him.

"Maybe she understood, that she was wrong" Karl stated.

He too saw the change in Linda’s behavior but he was too busy to ponder on it. He just wanted to maintain a professional relationship with her and nothing else.

Gwen went silent on Karl’s words. ’What if she really understood her mistake and now she was trying to mend it’ she thought but there was still something that stopped her from completely letting her guard down in front of Linda.