Two days after his release from prison and Ryan still looked like a mess. He had bruises everywhere and his once handsome face was now covered with patches of purple scars. He was in pain. “Why would you fight in prison, huh? They fucking beat you up and left you looking like a clown. I'm so embarrassed,” Layla hissed, as she accessed his bandaged wounds. “Those dimwits kept picking on me. Was I to stay still and just watch?” Ryan replied in a hardened tone. Furious, Layla pushed him away causing him to wince in pain. She glared at him. “So stupid of you to think of attacking Adrian with a fake lawyer and fake inheritance documents. Did you really think he wouldn't figure it out? I never expected such shallow move from you," Ryan didn't respond and his silence pissed her off . “Do you know the embarrassment you've caused me? Do you know the length I went through to get you out of jail? It cost me a lot!” “So I'm supposed to say thank you?” Ryan scoffed. “Well, you did a great

Adrian forced a smile even though the last thing he wanted to do was smile. “This is a personal issue and I'd appreciate if the media stay out of it,”“You have to say something, Mr Adrian! How do you feel about your sister's situation? What plans are you making to find her?!” A reporter stepped forward, almost hitting Adrian with his microphone.“How do you know she's alive?”“Say something!”From the corners of his eyes, Adrian could sight Felix and some of his bodyguards pushing their way towards him. “Let's go, young Master, you don't have to listen to them,” Felix said, leading the way despite the continuous clicks of cameras and the unending questions.“We've called the police, so they'll be dispersed soon,” Felix said when they were inside the office. His brows narrowed as his voice reduced into a whisper. “Do you think this is Layla's doing?”“You heard her yourself yesterday,” Adrian said, flicking a pen expertly with his fingers. “I'll give her the credit for what's worth,”

Layla stared at the text in her phone, her heart pounding vigorously in her chest. Her hands shook slightly as she scrolled through the message again —Blurry photos of her and Nicholas exchanging parcels of illegal drugs. Her anger boiled over. These threatening photos meant only one thing.Someone with evil intentions knew about her secret business.She slammed the phone down on the kitchen counter, pacing the room as her mind raced. Her business with Nicholas was supposed to remain hidden and she had taken procedures in carrying out all of their deals in remote locations, so how?“Adrian…Could he be...?” She whispered, then shook her head fiercely. Just because Adrian messed up her project event didn't mean he knew everything about her. He was no superhero.It had to be someone else, but who…? Her mind raced. She had spent years building her reputation as a successful business woman, but behind that mask was the reality no one knew about –the offshore accounts, the money laundering

“Why?” Lucian chuckled. “You cannot do it?”“Do you have evidence?” Layla said, panting. “There's no evidence that I had a hand in your sister's kidnap! You cannot force me to do your biddings just because you feel wronged!”In response, Adrian brought out his phone and played the evidence of Layla's several mistreatment of Paige. At the sight, Layla winced and looked away.“The media would celebrate over this valued piece of information, don't you think?” Adrian smiled.“How did you get your hands on that?!” Layla screamed, frustration building up inside her. How had Adrian uncovered the secrets she had carefully hidden for years? How long had he been watching her? How much did he know?!This jerk was driving her crazy!“That look on your face tells me you're convinced,” Adrian tsked. “Tell the media the truth yourself. I'm giving you an easy alternative, but again, you can pick your poison. Should I release the video or you'd do the confession yourself,”Panic clawed at Layla and sh

Layla ran a hand through her thick, disheveled hair as she stared at the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her as if mocking her —a scrawny old woman with a dirty aura and a repulsive face.After the press conference, she had locked herself inside her room for days, refusing to come out or to see anyone. The voices of the taunting crowd still played in her head and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get rid of it.Was this how she fell?From a popular queen in her queendom to a worthless butterfly?“No!” She screamed, throwing everything on the vanity table. “No! I refuse to go down like this…! No…no…”Blood roared in her ears and her stomach clenched like it was refusing to accept her words. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears, almost like it was trying to break free from the bleakness of her future.The humiliation.The national disgrace.Adrian's mocking eyes, that bastard!A click sounded as the door pushed open forcefully. Layla jumped as she turned to look at the in