Collette got a couple of things from the supermarket that was sure to last them a few days, then she went ahead to pay. Unfortunately, one swipe at the card and the transaction was denied. "Excuse me, ma'am, but your card says 'insufficient fund'." The cashier said, raising her head to look at Collette. Collette froze. "Are you sure? Try it again. I'm sure there's enough to pay for everything." The cashier sighed a little then tried the transaction again. However, it still said insufficient funds."I'm sorry, ma'am. I have to attend to others." The cashier stated, extending the card towards Collette. Collette took it rigidly, and ignoring the looks from those behind her, she stormed out of the supermarket. Her phone vibrated in her pocket once she was out and she took it out to see it was a notification from her bank informing her a purchase she made was successful. A purchase? When did she ever make a purchase? Panicked, she went through the description of what she had bought
Minutes after he left the automobile shop, a sports car stopped in front of the shop and a tall figure rushed out. "Where's the man who bought the most expensive car in my shop?" He asked no one in particular, frantically looking around. "He left saying he has to pick up his wife from the bank." The cashier answered politely. "Didn't you tell him I asked him to wait for me?" He asked aggressively and the cashier shrank her neck in fright. After a while, the man asked, "Who can give me an avid description of what he looks like?"Everyone's eyes turned to the sales attendant who had attended to Adair. The other sales attendants stared at him with envy, while the owner of the shop looked at him like a gem. "If we can rope in this customer, then everyone is getting a raise. So I want you to describe how he looks to someone who'd try to draw me a picture. You have to be very careful." The man said and the attendant nodded. "Yes, sir." He answered stiffly. Then walked behind the man as
The viscous looking thug towered over the middle aged man, his bulging muscles straining against his tight black shirt. A thick gold chain hung around his neck, highlighting his menacing sneer as he hurled punches at his victim. His shaved head gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and his beady eyes shone with a sadistic joy as he continued to pummel the man on the ground. His massive arms erupted with veins as he overturned tables and smashed chairs, creating chaos and carnage around him. His entire demeanor exuded violence and aggression, with every movement calculated to inflict maximum pain and suffering. This was the owner of the casino, a man with a reputation for ruthlessness and a terrifying presence that no one dared to cross.Adair's presence stopped him from delivering a punch at Benjamin's jaw. Adair glanced at the wall clock, then directed his gaze at the owner of the casino. "You said to bring you the money in an hour. The time is yet to elapse, but you're already h
Two seconds later, everyone present erupted into a laughing fit. At the same time, excitement filled the eyes of the gamblers. It was at this moment Benjamin woke up. When he realized where he was, he shrank his neck in fear. Seconds later, he realized the atmosphere was odd. Why wasn't anyone kicking him? And why didn't he feel someone's angry glare at the back of his head? In confusion, he slowly raised his head to see what was going on. He had a surprised look on his face when he saw Adair. Recalling the rumor he heard of how strong his son-in-law was, he got up and scampered towards Adair. "On your order, I'll tear out his tongue from his mouth!" Peter snarled, advancing towards Adair. A dozen more bulky men also joined him. Their stance and aura were so threatening that Benjamin fell on his knees.."Dagger, please, give me more time and I promise to pay up your money." He pleaded in desperation. Dagger, who felt a chill run down his spine when Adair threatened him, snapped
Collette paced outside the house for several minutes, glancing at the door every second. Her mother had taken her time to tell her how dangerous the owner of the casino was. And even though Adair possessed a considerable amount of physical strength, Collette doubted the owner of the casino wouldn't hurt him and her father in some way. "You don't need to worry yourself, Mrs. Huxley. Adair will be fine." Jordan reassured her with a light smile. Collette, who still had her guards up against him, stopped and briefly glanced at him. She didn't know what he wanted or why he kept trying to talk to her with any opportunity he got. She was beginning to think he was looking down on Adair as well. Well, not like she didn't look down at her husband sometimes, but no matter what, she was still married. If Jordan had any idea what she was thinking, he would've had his heart in his hands. Collette quickly turned her attention towards the door when she heard it open. She quickly rushed to Adair
Adair walked out of Benjamin's room and headed downstairs. He stopped when he saw Collette bend over Halsey who was asleep on the couch. She gave a long look to the drip bag which was almost finished until she heard Layla walking into the house. "What? Did you expect to see her dead?" Layla scoffed as she plunged herself on a nearby chair. "Thank you for changing the drip." Collette merely replied, gently grabbed Halsey and walked towards the stairs. "I don't like her or her brother, but that doesn't mean I have the mind to kill a child." Layla mumbled underneath her breath. Collette chose to ignore her mother while a faint smile found its way to Adair's face. "Let me take her." Adair said, extending his hand towards Collette. Collette nodded and released Halsey. He positioned her well before asking, "Were you able to find your own room?""No, I had to get us something to eat. It's unfortunate we'll have pizza for dinner tonight." Collette replied slowly. "Most people can't aff
"What are you doing, Collette? This will really change our lives for the better. So go ahead and accept the offer." Layla probed anxiously realizing that her daughter had no intention of making any decision soon. Collette snapped her attention towards her mother and sighed softly, "Mother, grandmother kicked me out of that family for three years and didn't bother checking up on me in any way. Then suddenly, she requests that I return back to the company and continue being its manager." "Your grandmother didn't come around in the past three years because she wanted to make sure you learnt your lesson. Have you forgotten how archaic she is when it comes to teaching the children manners?" Layla replied anxiously. "Come on, cousin. Have you forgotten your glorious days as the manager of the family's company? You're literally a laughing stock now after getting married to Adair, but grandmother has taken pity on you after coming to the agreement that you've learnt your lesson." Noah fina
Adair appeared in everyone's train of sight as he rolled up his sleeves. "You bastard! How dare you lay your filthy hands on my son!" Abigail screamed as she anxiously rushed to Noah's side. She panicked greatly when she saw blood trailing down the side of his head. "I don't have any problem with people talking down on me, but I hate it when they talk down on my wife and sister." Adair uttered slowly. "Talk down on your wife? Is the truth so bitter for you to assimilate!" Noah gnashed his teeth in fury, trying to get up. "Stop trying to move. Let's get you treated first before we deal with Collette's useless husband." Abigail hushed, and pushed him back. Noah refused to stay down as he used his remaining energy to get up. He refused to stay down after being hit by such a useless thing. "I may not be the first grandson of this family, but I'm the second and last son of this family and even if I have to beat you to a pulp for you to accord me the respect I deserve, I will!" Noah
"Hello, stranger." Collette heard as she picked up an apple. She didn't need to turn around to confirm who it was. "If you hadn't shown up, I'd have been left with no choice than to believe that you have a conscience." Collette smiled, her back still turned to Hannah. "Conscience?" Hannah scoffed and walked to the shelf housing the apples. "I wasn't in a very good place when I put you in a coma which unfortunately lasted for seven years. In those seven years, Adair hasn't been much of a good ex-lover and he's been hurting. Staying out of sight and reach was the only way to guarantee my safety and that of my brother's." "Ah, I see." Collette smiled, then turned to face Hannah squarely, "My mom has absolutely no idea that her daughter was in coma for seven years. But she's throwing a feast for her return to Crest Ville after seven years of traveling the world. And everyone's invited. Even her enemies aren't left out." "Strange. Your mother doesn't strike me like such a magnanimous w
Seven Years Later A redhead, clad in baggy pants and a crop top which left her belly button out in the open, nimbly walked up the stairs of the hospital and walked towards an elevator. The elevator opened to reveal a couple making out in it. They quickly composed themselves and lowered their heads in embarrassment when they saw her. The girl smiled and placed leaned on the elevator, closing her ears as she listened to the soft sound made by the elevator as it headed up. After three minutes, the elevator slid open, and she walked out of it, what looked like a school bag, slung across her shoulder. Behind her, the couple in the elevator couldn't help poking out their head in both surprise and awe just before the doors of the elevator closed again and sent them back. This was because no one apart from the family of the person on this floor was allowed up. And it was no news that the family of this person who occupied the whole floor owned the foundation. Collette Foundation. A found
Despite Tucker's threats, Adair didn't bother with him as he bent over and carried Benjamin in his arms. “Kill her.” Tucker spoke into his phone. However, he heard nothing from the owner of the phone. “I think he's dead.” A familiar voice sounded instead. “Jordan? Of course, you're alive, and Adair had everything contained as usual.” Tucker seethed angrily and quickly left the store. He hadn't gotten far when some men, who had their faces covered, walked up to him. Almost immediately, a van pulled in front of them, and he entered the van with them. Tucker hissed numerous times as he tried his best to contain the fact he lost to Adair once again. The van drove for over an hour before it stopped under a tunnel. Tucker alighted from the van and got into a black Lincoln which was parked just beside it. The Lincoln drove out afterward and headed straight to a seven-star hotel. “Why am I being summoned when I haven't done anything?” Tucker complained as soon as he walked into a privat
It took Adair precisely eleven minutes to get to where Tucker held Halsey and Benjamin hostage. He walked in on Tucker spraying something on an unconscious Benjamin. But despite being unconscious, Benjamin would wince in pain whenever it touched him. “Don't you feel ashamed picking on someone lesser than you?” Adair mocked, making his presence known. His words didn't deter Tucker, who kept throwing the water at Benjamin. “Who said he's lesser than I? Someone who Adair Huxley calls father-in-law isn't lesser than me.” “That's that, but I still don't see how a man in his early forties is a threat to you who's more than a thousand years old.” Adair shrugged and found himself a chair to sit on. Tucker dropped the spray he held on the table and glanced above his shoulders to see Adair's cold eyes. “Those cold eyes. Why does it seem like you turned off your emotions?” Tucker asked in surprise. He was yet to hear the news about Collette getting into an accident, since Adair's men were
“No!” Zane yelled and got up to his feet as soon as possible. However, Sharon didn't fall like he expected because someone else had taken the bullet for her. “Grab her and get out of here.” Jordan hissed, as he dug his claws into his chest and pulled out the bullet lodged in it. Tucker raised his brow before flinging the gun away. “Jordan Hale. It's been a long time.” “I hoped you'd be dead by this time of the year. What a pity that good people die early, while bad people live the longest.” Jordan said in spite. “True. That's why you, Adair, Hannah and I have lived this long.” Tucker chuckled. He had better things to do, such as torturing someone with the name Benjamin Pitt, so he didn't want to waste time with Jordan. Without another word, he rushed towards Jordan and grabbed him violently by the neck, then threw him hard against the wall. Cobweb-like cracks appeared in the spot where Jordan came in contact with. The temporary pain didn't deter him, as Jordan got up almost imme
Adair and Hannah stared at each other for a long time. Then she lowered her head to her phone and increased its volume. “A few minutes ago, there was a ghastly accident which involved a drunk driver and a beautiful young woman. It's revealed that she bears the name Collette Huxley and is married to the multi-billionaire, Adair Huxley. This happened along…" The reporter's words were drowned out as soon as Adair's phone which was beside him rang out. “Hold on, I think I forgot to say I also compelled the driver to ram into her, then hand himself over to the police afterward. Don't you think I have a great sense of justice?” Hannah giggled. Adair reached for his phone and went numb when he saw it was a call from Collette. He first exhaled in relief when he realized Hannah was just messing with him. “Wife, are you alright?” He asked anxiously as soon as he answered the call. “This is Garrison Hospital, is this Adair Huxley, Collette Huxley's husband?” An unfamiliar voice asked inst
Martha's Penthouse Martha walked into the house to find Tucker drinking like he had been doing for the past three days. She had a book in her hand, which she handed over to him. “I was on my way in when someone said there's a parcel for you. All they need is your signature saying you've received it before they leave.” “A parcel? I didn't order anything.” Tucker frowned, refilling his glass with whiskey. “They can't be mistaken because your name is in this book.” Martha sighed, placing the book on the table. Tucker's phone buzzed at that moment, and he glanced at it only to exhale in disappointment, seeing it was a commercial message. “I can turn them away if that's what you want.” Martha said, reminding him there was still something for him to do. Reluctantly, Tucker reached for the book and signed it. Martha took it and left the house. She returned later with a coffin-like wrapped package. “Is it just me or does it look like a coffin?” Halsey asked, appearing from nowhere. S
1627, Crest Ville Main MarketThe sun was bright and hot when it came in contact with the skin of humans as usual, but this didn't stop them from carrying out their daily activities. Among them was a woman who went from stall to stall asking one question, “I buy vervain for a very handsome price. Do you have any to sell to me?” Suddenly, she got pulled into a corner by an elderly woman. “Going around the market asking for who has vervain is the most stupid plan I've heard in a long time. It'll only be a matter of time before he finds out what you're doing. Get a grip on yourself, Hannah!” The elder woman berated the younger one. Hannah, who had her red hair held up neatly with a pin and had on a simple floral gown, sighed and shrugged the woman's hand away. “I know what I'm doing, and I'm more careful than usual. For example, do you know Jordan is walking around the market as we speak?” Hannah scoffed. “Jordan Hale? Adair's right-hand man?” The elderly woman asked to confirm th
Adair stayed home the next day, much to the surprise of Collette. “Are you staying at home because you want to, or you're staying at home, so I won't be kidnapped like yesterday?” Collette asked guiltily. She was currently sitting in front of her working table while Adair laid on the bed fiddling with his phone. When he heard her, he paused and towards her. “I'm thinking of getting you a rope. We'll tie it on our waists, so we don't wander far from each other whenever we go out together.” Adair said, a little too serious. Collette, who was about to laugh, froze. Wait, what? “You're not serious, right?” She asked in horror. Adair, who initially had his serious face on, laughed and got out of bed. He walked up to her and shrugged, “It's no longer safe to leave you at home. Especially with Tucker and Hannah around.” “Hannah mentioned something called vervain. She explained to me, it was something capable of keeping vampires from messing with our head. Why don't you get it for me?”