"I won't do it.""Sounds good."Zade and Tyrone answered simultaneously. Zade glanced at Tyrone who had a deadly smug smile on his face. Andreas spared each of them a look. "I'm afraid the terms are non-negotiable," Andreas said."So will your life," Zade stated, catching the man off guard. "I beg your pardon?" "You might feel very powerful at the moment because you have two Delamontes in chains and you're eager to see them tear down each other, but remember we are not the only Delamontes. If any of us dies, I'd advise you to send your wealth to an orphanage because nothing from your empire to your lineage will be left. You will be gone and forgotten like every other commoner, only difference would be there wouldn't even be a corpse," Zade said. There was pin-drop silence. Only his words echo in the air. "Are you threatening me?" Andreas asked after a long quiet."I don't give threats. I take action. If you feel threatened by mere words, then you're not even half prepared for what
As soon as Zade stepped into the house, he was confronted by Helen. "Zade? You're back? Where is Tyrone?" Helen asked him. Zade's eyes raked through her like he wasn't expecting the question. He'd known Helen for a long time so he wasn't surprised by her questions. She loved Tyrone to a fault and even though he treated her like she was worthless, she still cared about him. "I don't know," Zade replied quietly. He attempted to step in but Helen blocked his path. "Where is Adera?" "She stepped out to get some milk. I… you were with Ty, weren't you? If you know where he is…" her voice cracked, "...or what happened to her, please let me know. I beg of you." Zade gave her a long look. There was no way he could tell her about Tyrone's business. "I already told you, Helen. Indeed, we were together but we went our separate ways. I have no idea where he is or what happened to him," Zade told her. Her eyes glistened with tears. "Are you telling me the truth? You really don't know wh
Zade went to see his grandfather in the office. He knocked twice before walking in. Zachary lifted his head from the file he was working on. "Zade?""I went home but the guards informed me you were here. Didn't you say you've stepped down or was I hearing things?" Zade asked. "I just dropped by. Aren't you supposed to be out of town? I came to help you clear your desk. You should thank me for helping you clear your desk," Zachary but back."I didn't ask you to. It was your decision solely influenced by the kindness of your heart, I dare say," Zade shot back. "You insolent little imp!" It all happened in a flash one second, Zachary was on his seat, and the next, he was on his feet, smacking him across the face. Zade staggered back, surprised laughter ripping through his throat. "You know I could sue you for child abuse," Zade reminded him lightly. "If you're not careful you might end up in that cell," Zachary smirked. Zade rolled his eyes and took a seat."I came to see you regar
"Tell me the truth, Dera. Do you think Zade is lying to me?" Helen asked Adera. "Uhm… lying about what?" Adera asked. "About Tyrone's whereabouts. He said he didn't know where Ty was but they were together, at least that's what they told us. How can he suddenly be back without his cousin? Don't you think it is a little strange?" Helen explained. Adera didn't know what to say. It was an obvious lie. No way Zade wouldn't know about Ty's whereabouts. Though she felt that the tables might have turned somehow. Maybe Ty was the one supposed to return, claiming he had no clue about Zade's whereabouts. Then she would be the one asking the same questions as Helen now. "You know Zade cares about you, very much. If he knew where Ty was, he would have definitely told you. Maybe he doesn't really know," Adera lied. "You're right. Zade cares about me a lot, which is the more reason he wouldn't tell me about Tyrone even if he knew where he was," Helen huffed. "I don't understand," Adera mutter
Adera and Roselia were having a stare-down, none willing to back out for the other. Helen soon got exhausted from watching them and pulled Adera back to let Roselia in. "Why did you do that?" Adera glared at Helen. "Because your little staring contest won't solve anything. Let her in then you both can discuss properly," Helen answered. "I have nothing to discuss with her," Adera asserted. "Well neither do I," Roselia concurred. "I only want my share of my father's wealth.""What the hell are you even talking about?" Adera bellowed. Roselia walked past her, taking a look around. "I like this. Is this one of Father's properties?" She asked sweetly like it was just an innocent enquiry. Adera clenched her fists, "Unfortunately, this is my boyfriend's property.""Boyfriend," Roselia tested the words on her lips. "You mean Zade," she drawled. "Yes, do you have a problem with that?" "No, just surprised by the caliber of men you term boyfriend. Couldn't you find someone better? Someon
Both women sat side by side in the hospital, throwing each other occasional glares as they waited for the results. Helen sat away from them, silently watching the exchange. "I can't believe you really threw me out of your car in the middle of the streets," Roselia broke the ice."I am not about to get into an argument with you at the doctor's office. If you have any complaints, put them in writing and forward them to my secretary. I'll look at it when I have the time," Adera answered evenly. Roselia muttered something incoherent and slumped into her seat. Adera cast her a glance before returning her attention to her phone.They were silent until the doctor came back with the results. They straightened up as the man took a seat. Adera didn't like the smile he wore on his face to address them."I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, Miss Anderson. The results…""Miss Harper. I mean I know I'm still going to be an Anderson but she needs proof so you can just address us separately as Miss A
"I don't understand, mom. What are you talking about?" Adera asked. Mrs Anderson paced the room restlessly, mumbling a series of inaudible words. Adera had to grab her shoulders to get her still. "For goodness sake, talk to me, Mom. How do I have a sister and you never mentioned it?" Adera half-yelled in frustration. "Because I didn't know, dammit! I don't know! I don't know anything!" She yelled back. "How can you not know?! You're my mother! Didn't you know if you had another daughter or not?" Adera fired. Helen clasped her hands on her ears with a groan. "Because you're not my daughter!" Mrs Anderson fired back and everywhere fell silent."What?" Adera whispered, releasing her grip on the woman's shoulder. Mrs Anderson staggered back as well, shocked by her own words. The silence stretched into minutes. Everyone is in a different layer of disbelief. Mrs Anderson walked to the couch and took a seat. She could see the questions in Adera's eyes. The trembling movement of her li
Zade returned later that evening but Adera was nowhere in the house. He called her number severally but she didn't answer the phone. He thought about filing a report but they would probably talk about the twenty-four hours bullshit. He decided to call Helen instead since they were together when he left. Thankfully, she picked up at the second ring. "Where's Adera? I've been calling her since I got back but she's not picking up. Is she there with you?" Zade asked."Actually, a lot happened today. A woman showed up at our front door, claiming to be Adera's sister. She went as far as demanding her own share of Anderson's property," Helen informed him."Her sister? Where is Adera?" "I left her at her mother's place. She was in a very foul mood. She almost got into a heated argument with her mother, over a slight misunderstanding," Helen answered. Zade paused, trying to process the whole information."Who was this sister?" "I don't know, but I think her name is Roselia. She's blond w