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The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 23. Back to back conflict
Max's POV Nora and I came to a stop just inside the kitchen. She complained, “ why are we stopping? We have to sit down for this.”“Oh, is it that serious?.” “Very.”We mounted the tall kitchen stools, side by side.“Spill.”Nora got down, opened the fridge and brought the juice pitcher and glasses to the island. She poured for both of us and sat down again. So much hedging, what happened at the hotel? “Let me tell you what happened. Your father and Caesar Shaman interrupted us as we were about to have dinner. They invited us to their private dining room. They didn't waste any time before they tore into my abilities as a Dr. Your father and his friend threatened my job. They started by claiming i'm incompetent at my job. They told me clearly that if Mrs Shaman complicates, l can forget about working.”l jumped from the chair so fast i almost toppled it, “ tell me you are joking, if you aren't, my father won't escape my wrath. That man is using you to get to me, l will not allow it.
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 24. Good news
Nora's POV The phone rang and rang until it got cut off. I tried again and again, no luck. I picked my phone and car keys and headed to the Ratliff Group of Airlines.I greeted the familiar security guard and waved at the receptionist who scowled at me.I used my husband's elevator and got off at the 29th floor. I knocked once and pushed the door open. Zoey 's head snapped up, her face contorted into a grimace when she spotted me. “ How can l help you Mrs Ratliff?.” I ignored her mocking tone and proceeded to the inner door. “Mr Ratliff is in the meeting.”I whirled around, “ why are you here if he is at the meeting?.”Zoey sashayed towards me, turned the door handle, the room was empty.“Mrs Ratliff, l'm Mr Ratliff 's secretary not his PA.”“You are lying, l have never seen a PA here, only you.” Zoey closed the door, we stood facing each other, “ it's because Teddy was on leave plus sick leave.” I walked towards the door, “ thanks, where is the meeting being held?.”“Mrs Ratliff,
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 25. Plan in motion
Patrick Ratliff moved around the living room aimlessly, avoiding the glass shards. He touched the broad petals of a green flower and ended up at the window. He tweaked the curtain aside and watched as his son zoomed out of the gates.His anger mounted. His son disrespected him today. The battle lines were drawn. Max's lesson would commence soon. He found a weakness in his armour. He swore to capitalise on it.Soft hands rubbed his exposed neck, “relax, your son is spirited like you. He will come around.”Pat closed the curtain and moved from the irritating hands of his wife. Marylin petted him only when she wanted something. He guessed her gentle gesture was to dilute his wrath against her dear son. It would not work.He circled the bar, bent down, searched for a moment and brought out a new decanter. He filled it with whiskey and topped his glass. He drank it neat. His throat burned, tears filled his eyes, he coughed so much Marylin rushed over and thumped his back. She took the gla
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 26. Stake out
Martha and Roseline hit the road running. They hired a junior photographer from one of the local newspapers, Abednego Riley. Abe as he was locally called, was ambitious, greedy and not above breaking the law to achieve his goals. The girls' deal came at a time when he was in a financial bind. They met at his rundown apartment. The girls covered their faces with scarfs, with their caps almost hiding their shades, they resembled wannabe thugs. Abe ushered them in after checking the corridor and closed the door behind them. “Abe, these people are not paying you enough, your place is a disgrace to your profession. Your couches are disgusting.” Martha looked around with disdain. The girls opted to stand, the couches had cockroach poop at the corners. Abe protested at once, “ l get enough, i'm careless with my savings.”“Ok top earner, let's get down to business, you are familiar with your subject. Follow her from the time she exits the Ratliff gates to her bedtime. I mean step where sh
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 27. Framed
Max's POVI stood at the window watching the traffic below when i heard a knock, somebody came in without permission. “Sorry Max for badging in your office without permission but things are bad, you are being made a fool of. I can't stand it.” I turned around at the voice of my sister. What was this instigator doing in my office? When the shit hit the fan, she chose her side, our father’s side.Her action came as no surprise, my father always took her side in my altercations with her. My eyes tracked her as she came across the room towards me.“Who is making a fool out of me?."Her eyes glinted with an unnamed emotion. She flushed down to her neck. “It's painful for me to see you in this situation but it had to be done to protect you. Your wife is the gutter rat we warned you against.”My anger was instant. “Get out. From today onwards never set your feet in my office again..”l barked at her, she walked backwards, the fear in her eyes warring with defiance. As she put one foot b
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 28. Booted out
Max POVThe sight of Nora sitting and eating peacefully at my table enraged me. She and Selborne succeeded in emasculating me, if he was a stranger maybe l could take it. Selborne trailed us wherever we went. He was more Ralph's friend than mine, it was Ralph who brought that snake into our group. I wondered how long their affair had been going on. I had so many questions but my anger superseded anything else at the moment. Whether l looked for answers or not, they would come to me but it would be too late. Now l had one purpose and was about to execute it.I bore down on Nora and yanked her arm. I heard the glass shattering somewhere, l shepherded her upstairs. She pretended to be shocked when i showed her the scandalous photos. She rolled her eyes and feigned fainting.I shouted at her as her body hit the floor, “ don't try it.” I nudged her side with my foot, she remained immobile. I knelt on one knee and slightly slapped her face, her head lolled to the other side. I bent my hea
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 29. Back home
Max's POV “You look terrible, aren't you supposed to be at work?.”My mum fired at me as soon as I entered her office. I plonked myself on her couch, my arm over my eyes. “I feel terrible, my world as i know it has vanished.”I heard the chair screech against the floor, then the couch sank under my mum's weight. She removed my arm from my face, “ you are scaring me, what happened?.” I sighed and peered at her through my lashes, a headache hammered my skull mercilessly. “Your beloved daughter in law hurt me so badly l doubt i will recover.” My mum slapped my thigh, “ Maxwell Ratliff, speak up. My blood pressure is rising, why are you doing this?.”I sat up and took her hand in mine, “ sorry mum. It's hard for me to talk about it, let me show you instead.”I fished in my sweater pockets, l found my two phones, the third was missing. “Dammit, l forgot the phone at home.” “It doesn't matter, what exactly is in that phone?.” “Mum, that phone contains your son's heartbreak. Nora and
The Billionaire's Torment Chapter 30. Stalemate
Nora's POV Marylin visited me in the early morning hours, eight o'clock to be precise. I was still in bed, the previous night l tossed and turned until the wee hours of the morning. I got out of bed, washed my face and brushed my teeth.I shuffled to the living room. Granny and Marylin were deep in conversation, they stopped when l came in.“Oh my goodness, baby this is not good for the baby, one night and you already look haggard. You and Max have to fix your problem otherwise l will have a scrawny grandchild.” Marylin 's attempt at humour flew over my head, l pouted, “ mum, it's not funny, i'm hurting, l can't sleep, l can't eat, it's bad.” My eyes smarted. “l'm sorry sweetie but don't you dare cry. Those scoundrels don't deserve your tears, come and sit down.” l took the seat opposite them.“You know who they are?.”Marylin shook her head, “ no baby l don't but l have suspects. I think your father in law and the Shaman family are behind it. I gave your husband strict instruction
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Chapter 78. Tormented
NoraAll my life and as a medical doctor and surgeon, l never witnessed anything like it. The days following Max’s accident were hell for me and him. He had horrendous nightmares. On the third week l was woken by beeping noises. I glanced fearfully at Max’s bed.He was sat on the bed, his arms reaching for an invisible enemy or whatever was in his mind. His eyes were clenched shut. I could not see his expression because of the bandages, but the way his shoulder muscles spasmed, l could tell.I quickly got out of bed, spoke to him in a low tone,” relax darling. It's a bad dream, relax.” I pushed his broad shoulders down. The next minute, a huge hand closed on my throat and started squeezing. Hard. Oh my God, not again. Images of the burly man at the farmhouse resurfaced. This time it was my husband who was straggling the daylights out of me. I beat at his hand frantically. The pressure increased. Air whooshed out of my lungs. Black spots danced in my eyes. A door opened somewhere, foo
Chapter 77. Is Maxwell Ratliff dead?
NoraThe weeks after the kidnapping incident crippled my soul. I functioned on a base level. Breathing, bathing, eating, nothing more nothing less. A particular scene gnawed at my mind. The near molestation. In the car to our destination, the men were so sure of themselves they did not blindfold me. They talked amongst themselves. Ignored us. My neck hurt from graning, l memorised the landmarks for later. The car stopped in front of a dilapidated farmhouse. The men shepherded us inside. I took note of my surroundings. This must have been a storage room. It was one big room, with numerous windows. I observed a new mattress on the floor, a covered plate beside it, plus bottles of water. My kidnapper pointed to the mattress,”make yourself comfortable Mrs Ratliff. No bullshit from you. You behave, you and I will get along fine. Misbehave, l will not be happy. When i'm angry l do nasty stuff. Are we on the same page?.” He pushed me, l fell on my knees. The mattress cushioned the impact
Chapter 76. The explosion
MaxI reached the chopper in record time, my dad right at my heels. We started the machines and flew at top speed to the farm house. I put down the chopper in the middle of the road leading to the house. The tall weeds on both sides of the road swayed and bowed under the chopper’s draft. My men trotted over as soon as they spotted the chopper, with Nora and Kidlan in their arms.My dad landed a further distance from me. I watched the men carefully like a hawk,”careful!. Don't bump them into anything.” l barked at them.“Always sir.”l happened to glance out of the window and saw my men bringing the two bastards to my other chopper. They seemed more dead than alive, good.I lost it,”stop right there! What do you think you are doing? Don't disrespect me. There will be consequences. These scumbags harmed my family and you want me to take them along? In my property? Put them back where you found them.”My dad's face surfaced in front of me,”son, calm down. They have to live before they ar
Chapter 75. Black thoughts
MaxI zoomed in on aisle three because l saw someone who resembled Nora. Yes, there she was. The camera showed my son playing around in the trolley. He held a bag of cookies in his small chubby hands. A slender man, seemingly in his thirties, walked in a leisurely manner towards the trolley. He side eyed my wife, whose concentration was on the fridge. The man’s hand shot out, a black cloth visible in his hand. He snaked his arm around my kid’s shoulder and covered his face for a moment.Blood rushed to my face, which heated at once.I patted my cheeks with shaky hands to bring the temperature down. Black thoughts swilled in my head. The urge to hurt Selborne fatally surfaced in my heart. My heart rate accelerated. My chest tightened, it felt like it was about to explode. My gaze roamed around the room. Everyone in the room was going through it. The manager's face was pale, she crammed her fist in her mouth, l think to prevent her from screaming. The security guard had a hand on the
Chapter 74. Camera room
Max On our way back from the mountains, l had to remind myself from time to time l was flying the chopper. I lost concentration so many times. My gut told me Selborne was up to something. His insolent demeanor forewarned me to gear up and be prepared. The how, when and where remained a mystery but a problem was coming my wife's way. I could feel it. As the chopper crested the mountain range my anger and fear intensified. My anger stemmed from Selborne's assumption that he could hurt my wife and go scott free. He was about to see the other side of me if he dared to try. When it concerned my loved ones humanity left me. I turn into an unrecognisable beast. The fear stemmed from the unknown time frame, will he do it tomorrow, next week or next month? The feeling left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. We arrived in Bluewaters at five o'clock in the afternoon. Shad hurried home, Robert to The Falcon. He planned to leave the following day, we had a meeting later today. I heard noises in
Chapter 73. Snatched
NoraCaesar recovered quickly for an old man. Three weeks after his accident he was discharged from the hospital. I visited him before then. He brightened when he spotted me at the door. “Come in my child”. He beckoned. ‘my child?’ lt sounded weird but fulfilling at the same time. All my life l was surrounded by women. My mum was a deadbeat mum, but l knew she was out there somewhere. No wonder children with two parents seemed superior to us who come from single homes. The feeling of your father acknowledging your existence is unparalleled. I quickened my steps. Upon reaching the bed l got confused. Do l hug him or just say hello? Deep down l needed the hug more than him. To experience the love of a father.He solved my dilemma, his arms extended towards me. I fell into them and hung on tight. His ‘ouch’ reminded me he was still recovering. I eased out of his arms and smiled down at him,”sorry. I got carried away. I'm just happy you're ok.” He grinned back. Oh my god. His smile mir
Chapter 72. Chicago
Selborne The cold wind made me hurry to my house. Out of the corner of my eye, l saw one of Shad Rolan's hotel cars. I never went to the hotel, Shad was Max’s friend. I valued my money, l refused to give even one cent to Shad. I ignored the car and proceeded to my house. It was a beautiful house with furniture but i hated it. Or rather l hated the place.I opened the kitchen door, fired the microwave and warmed last night's food, spaghetti and meatballs. I headed to the living room, switched the heater on. Summers here did not make much difference. They were slightly warmer than winters. You still had to wear your jacket in summer. Maxwell Ratliff did me dirty. I tried so many times to seek transfer, it fell on deaf ears. It hurt. Everytime l felt down, my mind gravitated towards Max. I wanted to gut him, bring him to his knees. His affluence made it impossible to take him on financially. I had to find other ways. The heater turned red, l extended my hands to warm them. Someone knoc
Chapter 71. In the mountains
MaxThe following weekend on a Saturday, l woke up early. Nora performed an emergency surgery last night. She laid on the bed dead to the world. Good, l did not have to explain my movements to her. I stressed all week, wondering how l would explain my absence on a weekend. I knew how her brain worked.She had the same mentality with Shad. I would be forbidden to confront Selborne. That's why l chose to sneak out of the house. I rolled out of bed, careful not to wake her up.I tiptoed to the bathroom, took a quick shower and donned a complete black outfit. Black jeans, t-shirt, black hoodie and black sneakers. In the bedroom l peered at my wife, still asleep, perfect. I opted not to kiss her, she might wake up.I ran out of the house, went to the back of the house to the hanger. Shad and Robert waited by the hanger’s big doors. “ Morning boys. You're true scout boys, you respect time.” Their burning eyes tracked me to the door,” you dog. You're not the only one who is married, you know
Chapter 70. Rattle his cage
Max“I'm fetching Martha from Robert's place. Are you coming with me?.” I questioned as l applied aftershave to my cheeks. I studied my wife’s face in the mirror while l waited for the answer. I could almost tell what her response would be.She shook her head,”no. I have things to do.”She and my sister did not see eye to eye. I smiled indulgently at her,” things like what? It's your day off.” She settled more comfortably in bed, gave me an irritated look,” woman stuff. You don't want to know about it, do you?.” I finished what l was doing and faced her,”no thanks. It sounds dangerous. I will try to get back tonight, if not l will let you know.” Nora’s brows furrowed,” don't you dare sleep over there. Everybody knows Robert is a casanova. I don't want him matching you up with some woman.”I reached the bed in three strides, flung the bedclothes aside and hauled her off the bed. I bear hugged her, put my chin on her fragrant hair,” fortunately for you, your husband isn't a casanova.