Adair woke up before the other members of his family did. He still slept on the ground, but didn't mind. He would wait until Collette was ready to let him into her personal space. He quietly got up and tidied what he had used in sleeping. Next, he walked into that bathroom and took his bath. As soon as he was done changing into casual clothes, the phone in his pocket vibrated. Earlier, he remembered to silence it lest any sound from it woke the sleeping Collette. "Lord Adair, what do we do with her?" Zane asked as soon as the call connected. Adair glanced at the time. It was minutes past four in the morning and Layla who was usually the first to wake up often did so around 7am which is in three hours time. If things went according to plan, he could make a trip to where Zane and Iris kept Aster, do whatever he needs to do and return back before any of them notices he's gone. With that thought in mind, Adair walked over to Collette. Stared at her for a while, then smiled and disa
“I was expecting somewhere close to your home. What am I saying? I expected you to take me to your house?” Aster scoffed, after inspecting the house Adair brought her too. Adair said nothing in reply. After her words back at the warehouse, he released her because she was telling the truth.Iris' research on Tucker showed he was indeed getting stronger, but it wasn't by himself. There was someone, or rather people, behind him. “Cut to the chase and tell me what I want to know.” He frowned, taking his seat. Aster shrugged and returned to where he sat. The living room wasn't as spacious as the house she lived in back when she was still human Aster Maron, but for someone who didn't have a choice, it was better than known. She slumped on another cushion and exhaled tiredly. “Aren't you going to let me rest? The past few days have been long and hectic for me.” Adair's eyes gleamed in annoyance. He got up and walked up to her. “Why? Do you think I dare not kill you just because you have
Adair swiftly looked towards a direction, but they were only filled with unfamiliar faces. He took his eyes off seconds later and narrowed it at Noah. "I understand if Adair isn't indebted to help grandmother, but as her granddaughter, I expected more from you, Collette!" Alice hissed from the side. Collette openly glared at her, and Alice, who wasn't used to being glared at, squirmed. She had forgotten who Collette was before she got married to Adair. She wasn't someone just anybody could push around or talk down on. But since she married Adair, her status plummeted and she couldn't hold up her head high any longer. "How many times do I have to remind you I'm the older one? You should watch the way you talk around me." Collette warned. "You suddenly remember who the elder one is simply because she's telling the truth? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Trevor butted in, coming to her younger sister's rescue. This time, he got glared at by Adair. The icy gaze made him squirm as wel
"How many more people do you intend to turn into vampires to achieve whatever you have planned?" Martha asked Tucker as they walked side by side. The man slipped both hands into his pocket, "As much as it'd take to bring down Adair." "I still think you shouldn't turn Noah Pitt into a vampire. If Adair finds out about it, he's not going to let you off." Martha sighed, voicing out her issue. "Why?" Tucker hissed and stopped abruptly. "Don't you want to do it? Or are you suddenly scared of Adair?" Martha paused and also turned to face him as well. "Why won't I want to do it? You know how much I detest him." "Is that so? Then why are you trying to hold me back from moving forward?" "I'm not trying to hold you back. I'm just saying you shouldn't turn Noah into a vampire so soon. Adair's men watches them like a hawk, so he'll be the first to know once Noah begins acting weird." Martha rephrased. The corners of Tucker's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he walked away without an
Dame's EnterprisesThat evening, Iris worked late and only left the building hours after every other staff including the company's security had gone home. She was downhearted. Someone was attacking all the companies and subsidiaries she owned. After trying to track down who the person was, she was led back to Tucker. "Goodness. Why did he have to come back all of a sudden?" She hissed when she got to her car. Resting on it, she closed her eyes for a couple of seconds. "I brought you coffee." She heard someone say and still with her eyes closed, she reached out to take the coffee. Only when she took the first sip from the cup did she discover the voice belonged to someone she detested. Swiftly, her eyes flew open. They landed on the middle-aged man before her who had a wide grin on his face. "You've become reality beautiful." Sinclair chuckled, taking a sip from the coffee in his hand. Iris glanced at the coffee, her grip on it tightening. The hot beverage spilled and fell on he
Adair deemed it the best day to finally move into Crystal Palace. But the main reason behind it was because he planned to host Collette's birthday, which was that day, in it. “This is literally the best house I've ever been in since I was born!” Layla exclaimed with watery eyes, her fingers feeling the soft chairs which had been imported from Europe. Suddenly, she turned to Adair and smiled flatteringly at him, “You are the best son-in-law anyone could ever ask of!” Whenever she thought of how awfully she had treated him in the past, Layla would have the urge to slap herself multiple times until her lips split open. Well, that was just something she wished she could do since she still loved her beautiful youthful face so much. She would recall all the numerous people she had in mind as ideal son-in-laws and would shake her head in relief. The truth was, they had one thing in common; hot temper. And when that temper came on, it was a sure thing they'd take it out on their wife, wh
"How does he have it?" Adair asked with his back turned to Martha. "If I knew, I wouldn't be here talking to you." Martha scoffed. Adair scratched the tip of his nose for a second before exhaling, "Why are telling me this? Isn't it your wish that I die?" He heard Martha's footsteps, before he saw her standing in front of him, gazing up to meet his eyes. "I hate the fact I was the one who birthed you, Adair, but I promised to kill you with my barehands so the thought of someone scheming to do so behind my back, doesn't sit well with me." Adair scoffed and leaned to her height, "Are you saying you don't care if I die, you're only concerned because you want to be the one who kills me?" "Precisely." Martha nodded with a straight face. Adair chuckled and straightened up again, "Then go after him and get the stake from him. Isn't he your partner? The one who turned you and your beloved son into a vampire." He attempted to walk past her when her next words stopped him, "Tucker doesn'
“Happy birthday, Collette.” Aster smiled as she extended a gift to Collette. Collette stared at her for a long time, making no move to take the gift. There was something terribly odd about Aster and her presence today. “It's not poison, and I definitely do not intend to try to kill you again.” Aster assured, seeing Collette was hesitating. Collette nodded and reached out to take it. However, Adair beat her to it. He grabbed the nicely wrapped gift from Aster and glanced at Collette. “I'll be the one to take the birthday gifts.” Collette nodded numbly. As they stood together, Iris and Zane walked towards Adair. Zane signaled for Adair to come with his eyes. “I'll be right back, wife.” He told Collette. There was a conflicted look in his eyes for a moment before he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Iris stay with Collette. Don't take your eyes off her even for a second.” Adair ordered Iris before he smiled apologetically at Collette and walked away with Zane. “I didn't expect
"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?”