Blake's eyes followed her every move as she spoke. He couldn't comprehend anything from her statement earlier.
“Who are you?” he inquired, trying to hold the roadside seat for support. The stress he went through during the day was starting to take effect on his body as he wobbled.
The lady ambled a bit closer, taking in Blake's formation. “You don't look okay, we can talk after I get you treated. Please come with me” she indicated.
Blake creased his brows, his gaze became intense as he took a few steps back. Maria and Jeffery must be playing a stunt on him.
This might be a plan to exterminate him and flinghis body into the ocean. That way, no one will ever find out of his whereabouts.
With his hand on his hurting stomach, Blake raised his head the second he heard a light chuckle from the mysterious woman.
She dipped her hand into her bag, bringing out her business card. “I am glad I brought this, it looks like you have a little trust issue” she beamed, handing the card to him.
Right there, Hannah Richardson was boldly written there. Blake peeked at her for a few seconds upon seeing her name.
He goggled between her and the card after realizing who she was.
The woman right in front of him is Hannah Richardson, the general manager of Gold Corp and also the younger sister to George Richardson, the founder of the company.
Blake mentally whizzed for failing to acknowledge who she was. Her face has been on the television and in newspapers for a good amount of time, he just realized that.
But why is she here for him? “Are you not going to hop in? I won't hurt you” she assured and waited patiently by the car for him to make his decision.
After thinking for a while, Blake moved closer and entered the car. He needed a drive anyway, the day was getting darker than it was a while ago.
He also needed to know about himself, no one would do a better job than a member of the Richardson.
Miss Hannah got into the car with a smile on her face after she discreetly instructed one of her guards “Find out who did this to him”
The first thing she noticed as she got into the car was the shiny necklace on his neck. She knew what the necklace was, it might look ordinary like every other extravagant jewelry out there but it's not.
“It's obvious you do not know the use of your necklace, do you think it's for fashion?” she asked, bringing Blake’s attention from the window to her.
“What?” his hand instinctively went to the necklace, trying to understand what she meant by that, while staring at her in confusion.
Miss Hannah sighed, slightly shaking her head. “You will find out soon” that was all she said to him.
Blake crinkled his brows, placing his face on the window. He closed his eyes as the cool evening breeze hit his bare face.
It was impassive and healing, making him forget everything that had been a hurdle to him.
Feeling a burning gaze behind him, Blake flipped around to see her staring at him.
“You are just like your mother, letting people walk over you. How can you get this bruised?” she blurted in fury. Blake couldn't have injured himself.
“Do you know my mum?” Blake threw the question at her, his perplexity advancing to its height. Miss Hannah took a glance at him and looked away instantly.
……
The next day (High Court of Justice)
8:30 am
Jeffery looked down at his watch, dabbing his foot on the floor. “Are you sure you sent him the right address?” he asked in exasperation.
Maria bobbed her head, looking around for the sight of Blake. He conformed to the time after she sent the message to him yesterday, so why is he not here?
Is he trying to screw her over by refusing to get a divorce? They've been here for thirty minutes and he's nowhere to be found, Blake is also not picking up his calls.
What gave him the effrontery to keep them waiting? Does he have a death wish? The beatings he got yesterday were clearly not enough for him”
It will be better for Maria if Blake dies, nothing will make her more exhilarated than knowing that Blake is dead.
“I am going to teach him a lesson, he will beg for his life by the time he gets here. I will make him crawl on his knees, kneel in front of me, and clean my shoe with his tongue for wasting my time” Jeffery spat angrily.
Just when Maria was about to say something, she was interrupted by someone. A man dressed in a casual suit stood before her.
“Miss Jones? I am sorry I am late, there was a bit of traffic on my way here” he apologized.
The man watched as Maria interlaced her arm with that of Jeffery while staring arrogantly at him. “Did you miss your way? Who the hell are you” she asked rudely
He did an investigation about her before coming here which made him not react to how disrespectful she just spoke to him.
“I am Kaleb Roderick, Mr Richardson’s representative. He won't be able to make it here today” he introduced.
Maria laughed bitterly, she unlinked her arm from Jeffery's, striding towards Kaleb who stood rigid and unmoved.
“Blake is such a coward, how could he send a proxy instead of coming himself? Is he stupid?” Maria altercated.
“Someone is here to represent him, that's the most important thing” Jeffery comforted her by placing his hand on her shoulder.
“Shall we get started? I am afraid I have other engagements” Kaleb urged. His statement seems to have gotten on Maria's nerves.
She walked up to him and pushed him, hard enough to make him stagger. “You are just as jobless, cowardly, and useless as Blake. Who are you to tell me what to do?” she screamed.
Kaleb was taken aback by the way Maria just treated him, he knew she was a spoilt, arrogant, and less-mannered rich heiress but he didn't envision her squeezing and holding onto his ten-million-dollar suit while pushing him.
Is this how she has been treating her husband? Kaleb Roderick George is from the second most powerful family in New York.
Kaleb got a call from Hannah earlier this morning to represent Blake, it wasn't something he could refuse because they are friends and it's the first favor from her since they became friends.
He intentionally omitted his surname as told, he just didn't think he would be treated this way. He slowly released Maria's hand from his body, taking a glance at his suit that was now rumbled.
“Do you know who I am? Do you know who my boyfriend is? We have the power to turn a nobody's life like yours upside down” she boasted, attempting to hit Kaleb.
He held her hand and shoved her into Jeffery's arm. Kaleb should be the one asking that question, not the other way.
As much as he thinks highly of Hannah, he is not going to let this slide. How can they treat people like junks because they have a little power in their hands?
“You… I am going to make your life miserable for touching my woman that way but for now, let's get the divorce and get out of here” Jeffery spoke bitterly.
Kaleb laughed, is Jeffery not ashamed to call a married person his woman? Even though they are going to get a divorce, she is still someone's wife.
How did Hannah get involved with this caliber of people?
*********
The hospital was subtle, the doctors, nurses, and the patients were all walking on eggshells, afraid that their noises would make the guests angry.
Both Hannah Richardson and Williams Martin are here. The patient must be a VIP to have prestigious people waiting for her….
Blake paced to and fro in front of the Operating Room.
Emma was taken to the OR hours ago and none of the doctors or the scrub nurse has come out of there.
“Stop pacing about and sit down, I am sure she will be fine” Miss Hannah urged, she was ignored by Blake who was already intolerant.
“Just let him be” Mr Martin added.
A few minutes later, the Doctor came out. “How is my sister?” Blake asked, grabbing the hem of Doctor Katerina's coat.
Miss Hannah and Mr. Martin also stood up to see the doctor.
“The surgery was successful and Miss Richardson is out of any possible danger, she will be moved into the VIP ward shortly” Doctor Katerina announced with a smile on her face.
Blake sighed in relief, he wouldn't be able to live if anything happens to Emma, she is his only sibling.
“Thank you very much” he relished. Doctor Katerina smiled, she bowed her head in respect and left.
After losing their mum, Blake has been making sure that Emma is okay. He is glad she will be able to live like everyone her age from now on.
“I told you that she will be fine” Miss Hannah spoke, her face lit up on seeing the smile that appeared on Blake’s face.
Blake turned to them, glancing between her and Mr. Martin. “You promised to answer my questions after Emma's surgery,” he said to her.
“We can't be talking about your family here, young lord. This is an open space” Mr. Martin tried to persuade him but failed terribly.
Blake's eyes fixated on the woman standing in front of him and fired, “Do you know my Mum?”
Miss Hannah exhaled sharply, she couldn't avoid his gaze or the question as she did yesterday.
“Of course I do, she was my brother's wife!” she replied, causing a sudden shift in the atmosphere of the hospital.
Blake grasped his head from the sudden migraine that hit him. With the support of Mr. Martin, he was accompanied to the VIP ward where Emma will be transmitted to.Miss Hannah's assertion kept tolling in his head till they got to the ward. “Was? What do you mean by that?” he queried. Miss Hannah sat beside him with a small sigh, she traded glances with Mr. Martin who nodded his head as a go-ahead. They are not just here because of Emma but also for another reason they haven't had the prospect to talk with Blake about it.“Your Mother was married to Gerald, my late elder brother and the founder of Gold Corp but she vanished with you and your sister after his death”She halted to take in Blake's retort, surprisingly, he didn't say or do anything. “You were only ten years old then” she added, pausing for the second time to give room for Blake to talk and his next question took them off guard. “Why? Why did she leave?” he asked. Miss Hannah coughed, trying to avoid his searing gaze.
Blake walked into his sister's ward with a fervent smile on his face, he was coming back from the doctor's office and the astronomical amount needed for her surgery left him in a comprehensive mess. He won't be able to generate five million dollars with the kind of work he does, even if he is to save for two years. “How are you feeling, Emma?” he asked, sitting down at the perimeter of the bed. “Am I going to die? I find it laborious to inhale and exhale, I can't feel myself, Blake” Emma wailed. She has been suffering from leukemia for the past year. Instead of getting better, it keeps getting worse due to the lack of proper treatment. She feels out of breath because of anemia too.Blake looked away, he dabbed the tears that dropped on his face before his sister could catch a glimpse of him crying. Taking her hands into his, he stared at her in distress and determination. “You are not going to die, Emma. I won't let you die” he pledged. He vows to do whatever it takes to get the
Blake kept the paper aside and emitted into a disbelieving laughter. He was amused, astonished, and skeptical.His mother's dementia must have chipped in for her to think that they are wealthy. She didn't think of writing a small company's name but Gold Corp, the best in the world? What a parody! How is he the owner of such a company? If anything, they have been feeding from hand to mouth since their mother was alive, she was prominently not from a wealthy family either. He picked up the glistening gold-plated necklace. It looked new and shiny as though it was made today, Blake scrutinized it, he needn't be told that it cost a lot. With the necklace in his hand, he speculated the likelihood of what was written there being true, although he couldn't bring himself to acknowledge that. Blake picked up the paper and neatly tucked it in his pocket, there was a number on it. It might come in handy for him. He walked to the mirror and wore the necklace on his neck, walking out of the ro
The book on Cheryl's hand fell to the floor, her eyes flickered between Blake and Mr. Martin while Blake stood there with a confused expression. “I am just an acting CEO, how dare you talk to a member of the Richardson family in that manner? The overall owner and CEO of Gold Corp?” Mr. Martin voiced. The commotion drew the attention of other workers who were as shocked as both Cheryl and Blake himself. Blake is the real owner of Gold Corp and a member of the Richardson family, the most powerful family in the world. They could make anyone disappear in seconds and they won't be reprimanded for it. It was rumored that the real owner of Gold Corp had been away for years, the whole world knew he was going to come back but Cheryl didn't know he would come back looking like this. How could she not have known? Cheryl's shoulders slumped in defeat, right there in front of everyone, she dropped to her knees in front of Blake. “I am sorry Sir, please have mercy on me. I had no idea who you
“What do you say? Will you choose to let your sister die? My condition is simple. You are no longer needed in my life by the way” Maria declared firmly.She is desperately begging him for a divorce, right? Then he will fulfill her desire.“Since you want to get rid of me so bad, I agree to the divorce but I do not —” “You've made the right choice there, you are not as idiotic as I thought you were. Here is a cheque of 6 million dollars, take it as me paying you off for your one year of joblessness” she interrupted before he could complete his statement. She brought out a written cheque from her bag and threw it at him. “You don't need to pay back, we will get the divorce as soon as possible” she summed upRight as she was about to turn to leave, the nurse strode towards them.“Here is your payment receipt, sir. And congratulations, the doctor has scheduled tomorrow morning for Miss Richardson’s surgery” she announced with a wide smile on her face. From the very moment she learned a
Jeffery's men pounced on Blake, they slapped and booted him to the floor. Blood spewed out of his mouth after several punches. While trying to escape from them, Blake ended up hitting his head on the wall, causing him to wince in unexpected pain. He didn't say he would not get a divorce, how do they expect him to leave his sister alone in the hospital when he is the only family she has? Particularly during an integral period of her life. “Tomorrow, we will get the divorce tomorrow” he enunciated. As he spoke, his voice emerged as a mere whisper, fragile and strained, barely audible. Each word was accompanied by a tremor, a subtle quiver betraying the depth of his uncertainty and vulnerability. Maria's laughter spurted with a hint of derision in her voice. “Useless people like you love their lives too?” she mocked. “There is no need to stain our hands with his polluted blood that screams nothing but poverty since he has agreed to the divorce happening tomorrow” Mrs. Jones interc