Valerie had stepped into a new life, moving in with Adonis in the palace.The bedroom basked in the morning sunlight, a gentle embrace of warmth and light that cocooned them in its embrace. In that delicate moment, their hearts conversed in hushed tones of affection, like two souls swapping cherished secrets. It was as if their spirits danced in sync, an intimate exchange of love that only they could fully comprehend.Wrapped in that delicate instant, they exchanged soft murmurs of affection, much like confidences swapped between two souls deeply connected. It felt as if their hearts were engaged in a quiet symphony, a private dialogue of love known only to them.Adonis's eyes held a twinkle as he gazed at Valerie, his words a gentle caress, "Valerie, you know what I've been pondering..."A mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she raised one eyebrow with a playful quirk. The corners of her mouth curled upwards, a playful tug at her lips suggesting the amusement that danced within h
The celebration was already rounding up, the echoes of laughter fading into the night, as people began their journey back to their homes. Amidst the ebb and flow of departing guests, Adonis found himself deep in conversation with a prominent figure, exchanging pleasantries amidst the fading melodies.But just as the night's curtain was about to fall, a guard burst through the threshold with a storm of urgency etched across his face. "Your Highness, forgive the intrusion," the guard panted, breathless yet resolute, "but news has arrived, and it's urgent."Adonis' brows furrowed as he took in what he was hearing, "What is it? Speak quickly."The guard's voice was urgent, his words rushing like a river in flood. "It's Prince Oliver, Your Highness. He's... escaped. Vanished from the dungeon."Adonis felt his heart skip a beat, the world around him momentarily faltering. He exchanged a quick, knowing glance with Jesse, who stood nearby. "Gone? How?"Jesse's voice was laced with disbelief,
Harriet and her mother finally managed to get a cab down to the nearest hospital. While she was busy haggling with the cab driver who had drove them there, her mother rushed into the ward with her husband. And when Harriet finally traded her necklace which she cherished a lot to the driver, the latter finally left.With heavy steps, she traced her path into the sterile halls of the hospital. The air seemed to weigh on her shoulders, each breath a reminder of the weight of the world. And then, in a quiet corner, a scene unfolded that tugged at her heartstrings.There, in a room enveloped by a hush, her mother sat. Tears danced down her cheeks like raindrops on a windowpane. Beside her, a figure lay still, as if lost in an eternal slumber. Her father, once strong and vibrant, now a mere silhouette of his former self.Harriet furrowed her brow, concern knitting her features as she turned her gaze towards her mother. "Mom, what's happening? You seem really troubled," she questioned, her v
Adonis walked around his fancy room, his mind a whirlwind of mixed-up feelings. He felt really angry about all that had happened to him all over again, like a fire burning inside him. All of these because he came face to face with Harriet again.Valerie, looking calm and nice, came up to him looking worried. "Adonis, my love," she said softly, "I get why you're mad, but remember, getting back at them like this might not be the best way."He faced her, his look strong but also kind of unsure, as her words started to make him think. "Valerie, you know what they did to me, I told you all about it, these people deserve hell, how could she even dare to come before me and try to seduce me or even ask for financial help for themselves," he told her, his voice showing how mad he still was.He had gotten to know of Harriet’s motive for coming to see him, it was not that hard to find out.Valerie moved closer to him and held his hand, like she was trying all that she could, just to help him fee
Adonis's voice filled the meeting room, recounting the exhaustive sweep they'd made across the city for Oliver and Lord Bassey. His frustration was very obvious, his words carrying the weight of disappointment from their futile efforts.In the midst of the tense air, a new discussion was birthed, ideas bouncing like ping pong balls, each carrying the urgency of the situation. They talked about what should come next, voices overlapping in a symphony of problem-solving, each suggestion akin to a piece in a complex puzzle.Amid the whirlwind of debates, the focus swerved like a river changing its course. The health of King Archie also came into focus, how he should be more treated because it did not seem like he was getting anywhere near better.Suddenly, like a lightning bolt cutting through the storm, Jessie burst into the room, his eyes wide and his breath uneven. All eyes turned to him with immediate effect, a silent question hanging in the air. His words spilled out in a rush, urgen
Adonis walked into the palace with a heavy heart. The elders and members of the tribunal were waiting for him, their expressions a mix of worry and seriousness. They motioned for him to join them, their unspoken concern hanging in the air.After he settled among them, they started by sharing the unsettling news that had turned his world upside down in the last minutes in the first place.“This morning brought unexpected visitors - police officers arriving at the palace gates. Never thought I’d ever see such happen, and their purpose was a puzzle, a list of questions which they said they have for you, your highness. But luck wasn't on their side of course as your absence was what they met and so we had to tell them to push their inquiry to a later time.” Lady Beatrice shared, her words carrying a weight of confusion.“Yes, they also claimed that a witness has emerged someway somehow, and their statement is painting you in a suspicious light.” Lady Beatrice said again.Adonis listened,
Adonis found himself immersed in the solitude of his room, the weight of the pressing issue at hand bearing down upon him like a heavy cloak. He sat alone, wondering how he was somehow starting to fall from a position he had just attained and was yet to fully enjoy. The path before him just seemed so blur, and he almost concluded that he was probably not just meant to have a good life or something. The swift amnesia of the masses struck him with incredulity. How had they so quickly shifted their focus away from the true perpetrator, Oliver, and directed their accusations at him instead? It was as if the truth had been totally swallowed, leaving them to simply forget about all other things and face him instead. And all because of what? Something he did not do? Mere speculations? A sense of unease crept over him, killing all of the little fragile foundation of self-esteem he had begun to build. He muttered to himself, voicing his doubts aloud. “Perhaps I am just not cut out for this r
CHAPTER 78: Confinement.Adonis stood before the police officers, his heart pounding like a drumbeat in his chest. Their stern demeanor held an unspoken accusation, a weight that seemed to grow with every passing moment. "Your highness," one officer began, his tone a blend of formality and suspicion, "we have some very serious allegations against you." Adonis shifted uncomfortably, his mind racing to comprehend the gravity of the situation. "Allegations? Against me?" The second officer nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Yes, witnesses have come forward. They claim to have seen you at the hospital on the morning of Harriet's father's passing." Adonis felt like the ground was slipping beneath his feet. "I wasn't there that morning. I swear." The first officer's eyebrows arched, skepticism etched across his features. "We've heard that before, Your highness but witnesses seem to disagree and so we can not just beleiv your words." Adonis clenched his fists, a mixture of frustration and disb
Meanwhile, in the palace, the elders sat in somber silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they waited for their prince’s return. Jesse's watch seemed to tick louder with every passing second, a constant reminder of Adonis's absence. They all shared the same unspoken hope that Adonis would return safely, that his plan had succeeded.Suddenly, the room was jolted by the abrupt entrance of an excited messenger, who burst into the chamber with breathless urgency. "The prince is back!" the messenger exclaimed, unable to contain his joy.Without hesitation, the elders and Jesse rushed outside, their faces alight with anticipation. Their hearts swelled with relief and joy as they laid eyes on Adonis and Valerie, who walked toward the palace in a regal and triumphant manner. Adonis, his presence commanding, strode majestically with Valerie by his side, a living testament to the successful rescue.Jesse approached them, his relief was obvious as he greeted the prince with a deep bow. Adon
Adonis clenched his fists, his anger boiling over as he continued to listen to Oliver's sinister demands. "You heartless bastard!" he spat, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and desperation. "What do you want with my wife? She's innocent in all of this and you know it! This is not necessary at all!"Oliver's voice remained chillingly composed as he replied, "Adonis, your wife's fate is in your hands. All your protests and shouts won't change a thing. H\You know what you need to do but I will be a darling and just repeat them for you: step down from your position as the heir to the throne. Then, prepare an official statement, one that will be signed by the kingmakers and the tribunal. And this time, that is not all that you will do, let me add one more that I have not added before, Adonis, you will deliver this statement to me in person, and only you should come with it."Adonis attempted to reason with Oliver, his mind racing for alternatives, but before he could make any headway
The next day, as Adonis stood at the crime scene, frustration and weariness washed over him. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders, burdening him with unanswered questions. He recalled the call he had received from Oliver during his joyous wedding party, the moment when everything had taken a dark turn.He turned to the acting commissioner, his eyes burning with determination and anger. "Why wasn't I informed about Oliver's escape?" Adonis demanded, his voice filled with frustration. "I trusted you to keep this city safe, to keep my loved ones safe!"The acting commissioner sighed heavily, his gaze filled with remorse. "Your highness, I didn't want to ruin the joyous atmosphere of your wedding day," he admitted. "The truth is, the police station was attacked, and Oliver managed to escape yet again. We kept it from you to preserve the happiness of the moment and also due to the fact that it was just so hard to tell especially since its not his first time."Adonis
Heril's eyes remained widened in disbelief even when Adonis confirmed what he had just said. He couldn't fathom that his little sister was engaged to the Prince of the city. It all felt surreal, like a dream."Valerie, is this true?" Heril asked, still struggling to grasp the reality of the situation.Valerie nodded, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. "Yes, Heril. Adonis and I are engaged, you still think that I could never get such a man?"Adonis decided to show Heril the depth of their connection. With a gentle smile, he approached Valerie, his eyes locked onto Heril's. He embraced Valerie tenderly, pulling her close to him. It was a silent but powerful gesture that spoke volumes. Adonis was staking his claim, declaring his love for Valerie in front of her brother.As they stood there in that heartfelt embrace, Heril's initial shock began to give way to a sense of acceptance, and perhaps even happiness for his sister. Adonis even went further to gently ra
As they made their way back to the palace, Adonis decided to contact his lawyer to inform him about Oliver's capture and discuss rescheduling his case.He dialed the lawyer's number and, after a few rings, the lawyer answered."Hello," the lawyer said.Adonis replied, "Hello, it's Adonis. I wanted to let you know that Oliver has been apprehended, so we need to reschedule my case as soon as possible."The lawyer, however, had some news that Adonis wasn't entirely pleased with. "I understand your urgency, Adonis, but the city currently has a backlog of cases, and it might take some time before we can secure a new date for your hearing."Adonis, slightly frustrated, responded, "you’re saying that even as a prince, I still have to wait too?"The lawyer, maintaining his professionalism, explained, "It's a matter of protocol, Adonis. We'll do our best to expedite the process, but we must follow the established legal procedures."Adonis, though not entirely satisfied, reluctantly agreed, rea
As Adonis and the elders anxiously awaited news of the police mission's outcome, a sense of unease hung heavy in the air. Adonis couldn't help but consider the myriad of possibilities that could derail their plans. What if Oliver had somehow learned of the police's approach and was lying in wait to ambush them like he had done twice? What if his henchmen had already scattered upon hearing of the police's arrival? Maybe he still had more minions giving him information? Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, and Adonis' patience and hope was starting to waver. Some of the elders began to voice their doubts, questioning whether everything was truly unfolding as Adonis had envisioned. They had been waiting for nearly an hour, and the absence of any updates was gnawing at their patience too. Adonis remained silent, but the seeds of doubt had already been sown in his mind. The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that their carefully laid pl
While Adonis stood in the room with the unconscious guard, Jesse suddenly busted in, holding Adonis's phone. The screen displayed an incoming call from an unknown number, which, in their world, meant it was likely Oliver on the line. Adonis took a deep breath and answered, bracing himself for what was to come. "Adonis," Oliver's voice echoed through the phone, "it's time." Adonis couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Who tipped you off about our coming?" he demanded, hoping to unravel the mystery. Oliver's response was far from what he expected. "Oh! I had no idea you were coming, Adonis," he replied, genuine confusion in his tone. "I didn't even know you had been to our previous hiding spot. But it seems even nature is conspiring against your success." The revelation left Adonis perplexed, wondering how Oliver had managed to stay one step ahead without any external information. Oliver continued, hinting at his usual threat. "Get ready, Adonis," Oliver warned. "The second p
The tracker had arrived, and Adonis wasted no time briefing him on the task at hand. They needed to locate Oliver through a phone call, and the tracker assured them that he could accomplish the job. He emphasized the necessity of a ninety-second call to pinpoint Oliver's location accurately. With their plan in motion, they turned their attention to the captured guard, their determination unshaken. They needed him to make the crucial call to Oliver, even though he had deleted all traces of their previous conversations. Initially, the guard remained silent, stubbornly refusing to cooperate. But as the pressure mounted, he finally relented and dialed Oliver's number. The call went through, and Adonis took the phone, speaking calmly but urgently. "Oliver," Adonis began, "we've captured one of your minions yet again." There was a pause on the other end, and then Oliver's voice, cold and calculating, responded. "Who told you those were my minions, Adonis? They were nothing more than tool
Pleasantries were exchanged as they all settled around the table at the casino. Adonis observed the familiarity the elders shared with King Clark, who greeted him with a hint of amusement."Prince Adonis," King Clark said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "it's truly delightful to finally meet the lost but found prince in person."Adonis, though puzzled by the king's words, offered a polite nod. "Likewise, King Clark."However, as they indulged in the various games and distractions the casino had to offer, Adonis couldn't help but sense a subtle shift in the king's demeanor. What had started as a friendly encounter took an unexpected turn when King Clark began to act rudely.He fired questions at Adonis with a mocking tone, each one designed to taunt. "Do you know how to play the 'rich men' games, Adonis? After all, you've just become a prince. Do you know how to act rich, or have you been poor your entire life?"The others at the table remained silent, aware that King Clark was simply