"Claire," Bruce called out for the one millionth time. He was back home early from work only to see that his wife was no where to get found.After searching for a while, one of his workers noticed had told him that Claire had gone out and had been going out a lot for the past few days.Bruce frowned.Could he trust a woman who was always going out in secret because Claire never leaves the house whenever he was around.Bruce shook his head. Thinking this way was bad and not normal. He should be worried that his pregnant wife was not at home because she would be all by herself without no one to look after her.He decided to go downstairs to the sitting room and he found Claire's mother pacing up and down. It was obvious that she was awaiting her daughter's return."Do you know where she went to?" Bruce asked, startling Angela, Claire's mother."Who?"Bruce raised an eyebrow. Who else?"Claire?" She laughed nervously. "I actually don't know.""She tells you everything. Where does she alw
"Claire don't do this," Claire kept hearing in her head. While driving and she could notice that someone was following her."Was Bruce already suspecting her and had sent someone to monitor her? Or was he doing this to make sure she was safe?She heaved a sigh of frustration.Was her mother right after all? Bruce gave her anything she wanted and he is beginning to accept her.Her throat turned dry as she thought of the word.He accepted her.He loved her.They were two different sentences and can never mean the same thing.She had to pull over at a spa centre, hoping that it will stop whoever was following her from doing so.When she made sure the coast was clear, she visited Bryan again.So, here she was again, face to face with the son of a gun."Why are you late? Again," Bryan snared."I was followed and if I had not gotten lucky, I would not have noticed. We would have been screwed up," Claire replied sternly. Her voice was raspy. She was trying her best to keep her voice low and
Claire stared at the door of the room she shared with Bruce blankly. There was a high chance of Bruce being inside the room but she could not just bring herself to push the door open and look at him.How would she?Few days ago, she had harbored the thoughts of killing him taking over his properties. Today, she was about making up her mind to support her husband and live happily with him, then she saw Jade.Or she thought she did.Either way, she needed to find out if he would ever choose Jade over her.She took in a deep breath and pushed the door open. Bruce was on the bed. His eyes glued to his phone."Good day," She greetedHe raised his head to look at her. "Oh, Hello," He said and looked back at his phone.Claire smiled sadly. Yes, their relationship had improved but they were barely even friends, talk more of being lovers.Yes, Bruce no longer hated her but he does not love her either. She was only like a really important and highly paid worker of his who only has one very impo
Claire stood still, watching the bats that separated her from Bryan.She watched him as he lashed out. If the bars were absent, she most probably would have been dead.What was he thinking? That she would do whatever he asks her to just so he can take all she has worked hard for and dispose her.Claire scoffed.She would never let that happen.She recalled what happened yesterday at the cinema.Claire had shook her head when she turned to the assassin, signalling that he should() not kill Bruce.She had made up her mind not to kill him.Why get blood in her hands when she could just take all he has and punish him?What made him arrogant and tough was his money. What would happen to that toughness when the money is taken away?Claire smiled to herself. She was going to play this game her way and when she would be done, they would be no Bruce to make her feel less of herself abd they would be no Bryan to shout at her and act like a tyrant around her."You're smiling. You b**ch. You know
Still cursing under his breath, Bruce headed to his car. It was time to get back to work and quit wasting his time. Even if Jade was really here, it was a waste of time to be here anyways. If he finds her, then what?His phone beeped.Bruce hissed as he saw the reason why. It was message requesting he drove over to an address that was attached to the message with his property documents.His phone beeped again.‘We have your wife and your unborn child,’ The next message said.He frowned. Was it the same person messing with him? If he got hold of that person, he or she would be in trouble.His phone beeped again.This time, the person sent a video of his wife.She was tied up, her face was wet and her clothes dirty.One look and Bruce could tell that they were not treating her well.In split seconds, he got a video call."Bruce," Claire screamed and immediately, a hand clamped her mouth. The only face showing was Claire's.The people holding her hostage only showed their bodies.Then, a
Bruce found what was happening fishy.He did not see the kidnappers and now Ckaure wanted him to transfer all his properties to the name of the child she is yet to give birth to.He had accompanied Claire to the room and as he walked down the stairs towards the sitting room, he tried his best to connect the dots.He did not want to begin to doubt Claire but what could he do? His instincts were most times right."Sir your mail," One of his workers saud immediately he stepped into the living room.Bruce took it from him. He was expecting a mail and then one of the envelopes fell to the ground.He checked the body of the envelope. ‘For Claire. He read the address the letter was coming from and it read: ‘Dert Federal Prison.’Bruce raised an eyebrow. Why would Claire get a letter from such a place?He contemplated on opening the letter. But then if she saw that her letter was opened, she would suspect that he was unto her. He decided to keep the letter with him, make some inquiries before
"Where is your daughter?" Bruce roared immediately when he saw Angela, Claire's mother in the sitting room, pissed that she and her daughter had tricked him."Cl-Claire?" Angela swallowed. "I have no idea. What did she do? I hope everything is alright and I—""Everything is not alright," Bruce lashed out. "Your daughter tried to kill me and you knew about it.""I did not," Angela said, defending herself. "I kind of figured out that you did not get married to Claire for love at the hospital. I pretended not to know to help Claire get closer to you. I may have helped her to trick you into getting her pregnant but that was only because I felt my daughter would be happy with you but that is all I did. I had no idea that Claire tried to kill you. If I did, I would not have helped her.""So you're saying that your daughter left you behind despite knowing that I know she tried to kill me. Isn't she bothered that I'll kill you."Angela froze. "Y—you wouldn't d-do si-something like that. Right
Bruce was one person that could keep his emotions in check and not let it get the better of him.Well, that was until now. He was standing before Bryan ready to somehow pass through the bar separating them to beat him up."What do you want?" Bryan grunted."Where is Claire?" Bruce snarled."She is your wife Bruce. Not mine," Bryan snorted and Bruce grabbed him by the collar immediately."I can end your life at this very moment and go Scot free. You should be familiar with how these things work," Bruce said and Bryan's face turned red."H-how am I supposed to know where she is?""She connived with you to kill me. You're the one guiding her every move. Where is she?""You can't control your own wife. What makes you think another man can?"Holding on to Bryan's collar, Bruce pulled him towards himself. In split seconds, Bryan's face was smashed to the iron bars separating them.Bryan lifted his shaky hands to his face, wiped it like he was wiping off sweat and looked at his palms which w
"My Dad? How is that possible? How did he know that I was here?" Jade looked at Bruce, wondering if he had a hand in what was going on. "Did you know he was coming?" She asked Bruce and he shook his head. "Bring him in," Bruce ordered. "Yes, sir." The butler left and he had no time, she returned with J. J. Fulton. Jade gasped when she saw her father. His clothes were faded. His hair and beard were unkempt. He had lost a great deal of weight too. She wondered what was wrong. He had enough money to take care of himself even without working. He could only lack money if he lost everything in a gamble and she knew that her father would never do such. Jade actually expected more from her father. Sure expected him to multiply the money he had. Or, was he this way because he missed her? Jade wondered. "I'm sorry for how I treated you, Jade." He turned to Bruce and placed his palms together. "Please forgive me for having a hand in your parents' death. I don't deserve your forgiveness, bu
"She'll be there all her life?" Jade's mouth hung open as Bruce and Archibald broke the news to her. She was packing to leave for Beijing and hence had little time to be at Claire's trial.It's been weeks since Claire got arrested. She was sentenced to stay imprisoned for life."I think she deserves it," Jade added and Bruce nodded in agreement."She threatened to throw her child off a tall building. Of course, she deserves something worse than a life imprisonment," Bruce said."And her mom?""She's going back to her hometown. I gave her some money to take good care of herself. She has her flaws but Claire's mother does not deserve the pain her daughter caused her.""Jade, tell me you're not still thinking of going back to Beijing," Mr. Archibald chipped in. "I thought both of you got married."Jade and Bruce exchanged looks. Mr. Archibald was right. They were once married and have never had a divorce."You can go back first. I'd prepare the divorce papers," Bruce said and Jade nodded
"Sir Archibald-" Bruce's voice trailed off. He was short of words."What is it now? Don't tell me you're not happy to see me."Bruce looked at Jade and then at Mr. Archibald and smiled. "Of course not. I'm very happy to see you."Bruce got out of the chair, rushed to Mr. Archibald, and gave him a hug. "I was scared that I would never get to see you again.""You were scared and you did not bother to call me.""You told me not to. That you wouldn't answer even if I did. I'm sorry."Mr. Archibald smiled. "You're like a son to me. I will always answer whenever you call."Bruce pulled away from the hug and smiled. "I was so dumb not to have realized that much earlier.""And I should not have tried to force you to marry Tricia." He turned to Jade and smiled. "I should have forced you to find Have instead."Jade smiled nervously. "We don't intend to get back together. I'm leaving immediately my work here is done and that is to make sure Bruce gets his properties from Claire.""And, how does
Jade stopped before a hotel."This is where I stay.""Why stay in a hotel when you have a family house?""It's sold.""No, it isn't. I bought it back.""You did?" Jade's face brightened, then it became dull. "Claire now owns all your properties, so it's hers now.""I bought it in your name," Bruce said dryly and got out of the car.Jade beamed. "Thank you."She was here because she wanted to give him his money, but knowing that Bruce still cared made her happy."Then we should go there, instead of staying in the hotel. I'll quickly go to my room and get a few of my things."Bruce got back into the car and Jade got out.She walked into the hotel. After about ten minutes, she came out with a traveling bag and dropped it in her boot.Jade handed out a debit card to Bruce immediately after she got into the car. "It has your five hundred million."Bruce took it from her and mumbled a thank you."What about Mr. Archibald?" Jade asked, breaking the silence that lingered between them as she d
Bruce's eyes flung open. His breathing was back to normal and his heart stopped beating fast. He felt everywhere was brighter too. He guessed right. The door was opened and he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion immediately he saw who opened it. "Jade?" "Bruce." She ran to him to check if he was alright, but when she touched him, Bruce slapped her hands away from his body. "What are you doing here?" "If I had not reached here on time, you would have died." "That's what you want, isn't it?" Bruce scoffed. Jade shook her head. "If I wanted that, I would not have risked my life to save you." "Risk your life? I know you're on Claire's side. Stop the pretense. I know you somehow found out that I had a mp3 player that could land Claire in trouble. You told her about it and like you wanted, she was not absent. As a result, the case was dismissed. " "That's not true," Jade said, defending herself. "I was the one who took the audio recording. I asked the old man to give you
"He is your son too. Are you seriously going to kill your son?" Bruce could not believe his ears.Claire scoffed. "He is your son. Not mine. According to the contract I signed, you did not need a mother for your son. You only wanted an heir. You planned on paying me off so I could leave the child I would give birth to with you.""He is your blood. Don't tell me you're this heartless.""You know what poverty is like. You know what being powerless is like and what being powerful is like. So you should understand when I say that I want power and money. I want to teach those who have ever looked down on me a lesson. I want to be able to get what I want whenever I want. I want people to look at me with respect. I want the kind of money you have without being at your mercy.""Claire, don't I give you what you want whenever you ask?""You can wake up one day and decide you don't want our marriage again. What should I do then? I refuse to be at the mercy of a man. I want to have your money. I
It's been two months since Bruce saw Claire. She was nowhere to be found. He involved the police, and his men and searched for her himself but he still could not find her.Finding Claire was the only exciting thing that had happened in the space of two months. He worked from 7 am till 9 pm, then from work, he would go to the bar.Once in a while, his eyes scan the bar for Jade. The night before his first trial was the last night he saw Jade. He never saw Jade again after that day.Bruce looked around his office. The furniture was sleek and modern. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave the office a good view. He placed his hands on the mahogany desk, his eyes on his phone.His phone rang and he picked up the call immediately."Have you found them?""Ava still lives in this city but Naomi has relocated," the caller said and Bruce Ace nodded."Text me Ava's address."The last time he saw them was the day Claire ditched him on their wedding day. He smirked, remembering how they had looked do
Bruce Ace sat on the wooden bench. His eyes moved around searching for any trace of Claire. The courtroom was filled to its brim. The judge was visibly annoyed at everything that was happening.Murmurs filled the air.It's been an hour since the trial should begin but Claire, the plaintiff, was absent.The judge finally raised his court to talk. "The plaintiff seems to be nowhere to be found. In this light, the case is therefore dismissed."Bruce Ace frowned.He was ready for her.He has something to prove his innocence. Something to show that Claire was the guilty one here.Bruce was fixed to his seat. Refusing to get up. If this was the case, everybody would think that he had paid her off to shut her up.They will think he was the cause of her absence. Not like he cared what they thought of him but he wanted to shut her up the lawfully way.He wanted everyone to get a glimpse of what he had to go through because of women.Bruce finally left his seat and headed for the exit. His body
"Claire?"Claire raised her head from her food to see who was calling her. Her eyes flew open."Jade."She frowned."Oh my! How have you been?" Jade asked, joining her at the table. "Where have you been?"Claire raised an eyebrow, wondering if Jade had no idea of the ongoing case between her and Bruce. The news was everywhere. How would she not know?"Are you talking to me?"Jade smiled. "I know we don't have a good past. The issue with my brother and Bruce and stuff like that, but now these people are no longer in our lives, so I think we should be nicer to each other now.""Have you not seen Bruce?""I've seen him." Jade's face fell. "I saw him in a bar yesterday. He only talked to me when he did not know who I was. When he did, he yelled at me and left. He was telling me something about his wife trying to kill him to get his property and that she had sued him for beating her up which is not true. Do you know how he has been?""You don't know who I am?" Claire asked, just to confirm