CHAPTER THIRTY – CONFRONTATION Lucas wasn’t liking the atmosphere on the table. It was supposed to be a touching reunion, not shifting of blames. He was also disappointed to know Brielle never visited but at least she stayed with the children and that was something important. It felt that way to him since his grandmother, his one and only mother figure, had given up on him and killed herself. “Here.” Lucas gave the gifts to Jake, he just remembered that he had them, “For you and your brothers. And my name is Lucas Thales. You can call me Lucas.” Dominic darted his eyes to him and back at the table. He knew his nephew was trying to change the topic. “Yeah, it’s something I got for you three. I hope you like it.” As Jake held it, Brielle swiftly took it from him. “Thank you, we’d check it at home.” The twins slumped their shoulders in disappointment. “So Lucas, where've you been all along?” Brielle asked Lucas who’s displeased with the gifts not being opened. “Around.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE – THE RESTAURANT Dominic heard his nephew slam the door and frowned. He shouldn’t take his anger on the innocent car. “I didn’t know you would flip when someone abused Selene.” He didn’t seem to like her. “She’s annoying but I know all she did for us, compared to Miss Brielle who kept the twins from us.” Lucas replied. So he saw things more maturely? Dominic shut his eyes. “I don’t know if I should be happy or sad that you’re this matured at only eleven. You should still be a kid.” Lucas gave no reply so Dominic started the car. “Care for dinner at a fancy restaurant? It’d help your mood.” Since he received no reply, Dominic swerved the car roughly making Lucas look up at him. “Yes! We can eat dinner, Uncle Domi!” Lucas screamed. “Good. Let’s be on our way.” Dominic smirked, cornering on the next turn. His smirk fell when he remembered how the ‘reunion’ played out. Brielle was acting more aggressive than she should. Was she really not seeing her mi
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO – GOING DOWN Dominic and Norman exchanged dark glances. Some customers, around them, began to stare. “You are making my customers uncomfortable so kindly leave.” Norman repeated, taking a step back. “Oh, so now ‘kindly’ leave? And you are the one making your customers uncomfortable because I’ve been here a while with no problems.” Dominic replied. Lucas tried pulling his uncle away. There was no need to engage with the attention-seeking man as it’d just fuel his thrill. They were done eating so could as well leave. “Don’t let me call the security on you. Do you crave humiliation that much? Aren’t you already humiliated with your life?” the corners of Norman’s lips curved. Oh, so he was finally going down that path? Dominic looked down. The fact he was alive was enough so he can’t keep himself in the past anymore. He raised his head, startling Norman. “This your stupid restaurant with it’s bad meals will go down before your eyes.” he snapped his fingers
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE – HIS PRIDE “You said what!” Dominic went back so the wave of her anger wouldn’t burn him alive. “I said to Norman Santiago that his….” “I heard you the first time!” Selene shouted again before falling on a chair in front of him, groaning. Dominic frowned, wondering why she asked him again if she heard him clearly the first time. He cleared his throat but stayed quiet. Threatening to send Norman’s new restaurant to failure was a threat done on reflex and with anger but he’d very much like it to happen. “It can work though.” Selene sighed. “You said they have horrible food so if we make popular food critics get there, they may lose customers greatly.” Though it won’t be enough for the restaurant to go down. Santiago Company was a big enterprise and well known for their snacks, desserts and beverages all over Southern and Northern America. Their restaurant would be expected to have some issue since the company’s niche was snacks and desserts, no
Chapter Thirty-Four – Suspicious Dominic hesitated before replying. “I know nothing. Tell me.” As far as he knew, Casimir and Jean Jones had only helped him. Buying many shares, the most threatening thing they could have done, wasn’t even if their list till he told them. “Have you met their mother, Katarina Jones?” Bethany asked again. The questions, with no answers and just building suspicion, was tiring Dominic out. “No, if you are going to say something then do so.” “I’m just watching out for you because of our deal. I’d never care about the friends you make but Casimir and Jean Jones are suspicious fellows.” Bethany remarked.“In what way? How do you know?” he better start giving specifics or Dominic was ready to throw him out. Bethany adjusted himself on his seat. “See, if someone in the mafia tells you someone is dangerous, you better take it with more than a grain of salt.” Taking it with a grain of salt would first start when the information was backed up with
Chapter Thirty-Five – Be proud Sunlight rays pierced through Dominic’s eyes making him wake up. He had forgotten to close the window last night. He’d been so exhausted after the whole day’s event that he didn’t even take a bath or change out of his clothes. With great strength, he struggled out of his bed but fell to the ground. Why did he feel so down and so weak? His stomach grumbled and he held unto it. Did he eat something bad. “Norman’s restaurant!” he gasped and rushed into the bathroom to relive himself. That restaurant was surely going down. Was today starting with a bad streak again? After taking a bath and having the meal he ordered, Dominic went over to Lucas’ room to serve him his breakfast. The room door was half open. He peeked inside. “It’s very unlike him to wake up early and not come to see me.” He frowned slightly. The boy was holding unto a picture of their grandmother and grandfather with himself during his graduation into grade school when he was
Chapter Thirty-Six – Little nephew “Augustus Arthur Duncan.” Dominic muttered. “What do they want from me now after all those years?” The number called again and Dominic exhaled before answering, he kept it on loud speaker so he could keep the phone away from him. “Hello, who’s this?” “Good afternoon, sir. I’m Merida. Am I unto Dominic Thales?” a young lady answered. It made Dominic calmer and he replied, “Why yes.” There was no response then a deep voice spoke. “Dominic Thales, hmm. How have you been doing?” Dominic nearly kicked the phone despite the phone being far away from him. He gathered his composure quickly. “Oh, I’m doing well. Who are you now?” Why did the lady with the calm voice give the phone to a man? Was she the bait? What kind of prank was that?! “I don’t expect you to have this number but surely your mother had my other line?” the man asked. “You must be an acquaintance of my mother. I’m sorry but I barely knew anyone she knew. Speak to me like we’r
Chapter Thirty-Seven – Man in green Lucas sluggishly followed his uncle back to the car. “I didn’t know we’d be leaving as soon as we came.” His uncle rubbed his back. He would never have known that Casimir would be ready that soon but it was all good. At least, he’d be back to the office and be working when his uncle would drop by. “Don’t sweat it. Let’s go.” They jumped into the car and started the trip to Riverlane street. It was popular place for gamblers so Dominic had been a bit confused when Casimir asked to meet there. Still, he took the chance. They arrived after forty five minutes and Lucas jumped out of the car breathing heavily. “I thought we’d never get there. Why did they pick such a far location?” It was a good question. Dominic locked his car and held his nephew by hand. “At this rate, we've to finish up early with them and rush back. I’m having another guest soon.” The casino that Casimir had told him to get into was lively and looked like a bar. Domi
Chapter Ninety – The Old Man Effects of being in a coma for long still plagued him, not even in a medical way or physical but mentally. This news should be the greatest in his life but it got delivered to him, laced with mockery. “Huh? What do you mean when will we get the verdict?” Selene had scowled at him. “Didn’t you throw a party for the case? Or you did so without knowing what was said?” Dominic had rubbed his neck, wondering what could have been said. “There was a break… right?” “Ah, you’re hopeless.” Selene massaged her temples. “The verdict came the same day. Mr. Allen sentenced to thirty-seven years imprisonment. Mrs. Jones— Hey!” Dominic rushed out from her office to go read it himself. How did he not know that the information he’d been waiting for all year came out a day back? He opened his laptop and read trending headlines. Indeed! The verdict came yesterday and it’s the best thing. Mr. Allen had almost forty years imprisonment, he’d definitely be dead bef
Chapter Eighty-Nine – Celebration It felt like a huge burden had been lifted off his shoulders yesterday, coupled with the good news that the Trial was successful. The burden of the bratty lady who he finally realized was named Kate. She had attacked him in her usual way and Neon confronted her. Sweat beads filled her forehead and words couldn’t leave her mouth. She stammered out a sorry but got ignored. It had been a priceless moment for Dominic. Neon could break up with her from there, after all, his interest were on Selene, not her copycat. The case in court hadn’t been over yet. All that’s left was the court’s sentence over Mr. Allen and Mrs. Jones. Allen Company had been completely given to Brielle to save it. Dominic hadn’t heard from her since she ran out after her argument with Pamela’s argument, but it didn’t bother him. What they shared those few months before his accident faded the moment they began doubting each other. And he wanted focus on his company a
Chapter Eighty-Eight – Joke “I didn’t think you knew Selene.” Neon started after Dorian began to feel sleepy again. “When I saw you two that time I just assumed it was for some reason.” Dominic ignored him, looking at the expenses. “She’s actually your employee. That means she wouldn’t take any other jobs during that time. Her pay may be sort of fair.” Neon added. “Huh?” Dominic raised a brow. “You are only supporting this because you like her, right?” Neon’s cheeks reddened. “What do you… yes?” “Like how long did she…” Dominic paused. Selene had been working for him for almost a year. Did she really take no other job apart from his own? He realized that they had been no cases trending that involved Case Closed for a year now. She totally focused on this one. The comments had cheered her comeback. Truly, for a year, she devoted it to his case. He looked at the expenses. They weren’t preposterous anymore. She was a big shot lawyer who stuck with him for a year. “
Chapter Eighty-Seven – Crazy! What did Neon want with him? Dominic kept his eyes on him. Neon still had a plastered smile on his face. Seeing he was bent on being a guest, Dominic sighed and gestured for him to seat down. His plans to continue reading comments were over. Dominic sat down too, placing Dorian on his laps. “You wanted to see me? I hope nothing happened in the family.” Not that he’d care but he just wanted to ask. Neon exhaled. “We are family members, you know?” Dominic nodded. Dorian turned to him questioningly. “He’s really my uncle? Another one?” Did Neon introduce himself as his uncle? The father nodded. “Yes, another one. Be happy that you have tons.” Dorian smiled widely. “I’m happy.” Neon smiled. “I didn’t think you’d have kids.” Why did he sound so familiar? Dominic hummed. “Yeah, I do, after all, kids are a blessing.” He went straight to the point. “You came here because…?” “Right.” Neon took a picture out of his pocket. Was it Selene? Domi
Chapter Eighty-Six – ApologiesThe trial was in few days time. Selene became really hot stuff. Dominic sipped on the orange juice Dorian had given him. The comments were entertaining now. Mr. Allen had much more enemies than he knew. Many of them were in the comments engaging in comment sections battles with Mr. Allen deranged fans. Even Brielle’s fan boys were in the comments, only defending Mr. Allen because he hurt their ‘rival’ Young Master Dominic Thales. Dominic also noticed his fan girls replying Brielle’s fan boys. He smirked. The comment section was a really interesting place to be. It had lots of laughs too. There was a knock on his door and Dominic closed the laptop. He had little to do that day, he could even spend it entertaining himself with the comments. Someone entered his office and Dominic’s expression changed. “Norman?!” What was a brat like him doing at his office? The office door widened and Lucian walked in. “Daddy, he said he wanted to speak with yo
Chapter Eighty-Five – Pre-trialAll Selene’s charges were accepted by the court. The trends shot up when it was released that it was Case Closed that would be handling the case. It was also revealed that Case Closed’s father was killed by Mr. Allen though the reason wasn’t released. It really reduced Mr. Allen’s supporters because unlike the Thales Empire, Case Closed was like a national treasure. The fact made Dominic anxious again because after all was done, he’d have to pay Selene and her price could send him back to bankruptcy. Still, getting justice for his dead relatives would be worth anything. Today was the day of pre-trial. Dominic realized that was something else that made him anxious. Mrs. Jones had been arrested and kept in custody, she returned back to the country and got caught at the airport. A really good lawyer would represent Mr. Allen, he probably would suppress evidence and dismiss some charges. He would be going for a lighter sentence too. Dominic ru
Chapter Eighty-Four – Argue The day of charging came. Dominic was thoroughly grateful for the people in his life. Immediately the charges became live, Silas took it live, literally. It had been trending for the past two hours. The secret of Thales Empire’s fall. Dominic wasn’t really fond of that tag because to him, the empire hadn’t fallen but it could have. The young master had gotten numerous submissions of fan mails, especially those entitled fans who were asking him to give the full summary of what happened. Dominic was glad they bothered to know.Selene made the charges sound really heinous. Tadashi was charged with kidnap, manslaughter and torture of Lucas’ father and Mrs. Thales. The man would never get a light sentence especially as he was in a foreign country. Death was a probability for him. Mrs. Jones was charged with conspiracy, murder and attempted murder, law breaking, evading police, amongst other possible charges. Selene just kept them coming. Mr. Allen
Chapter Eighty-Three – No proofDominic smirked. He had also forgotten that she could be crazy too. Her methods would put her in trouble if the doctor’s assistant filed a case against her. Matt cried again as another pen was stabbed into his leg, he felt a thin line of blood stream down his legs. “Start talking.” Brielle ordered. She had to get useful information for Dominic today and now or she wouldn’t be able to face him when she would leave here. Matt cried bitterly. Why was a woman who liked treating him like an animal! All because of that wretched young master. He didn’t want to give up. “Milady, I love you!” A scowl came on Brielle’s face. What, in all the things she had said, translated to him giving her a love confession? Wasn’t he listening to her? She pulled out the first pen she stabbed in and Matt wailed again. She looked him dead in the eyes. “That’s my response, scum! You should learn to know your place!” Matt’s eyes brimmed with tears. It was no use. Then
Chapter Eighty-Two – Crazy LadyCould this be it what started their attack in the first place? Could it be his Grandfather rejected the Society? Dominic couldn’t be so sure. It was only an example by Lucas anyway. Yet, this gave him lots of insights to what could be going on within the Society. He rubbed Lucas head and took out a hundred dollar bill. “This really helped so I’d pay for your services, Teacher Lucas.” His nephew’s eyes widened on seeing the bill, but he comported himself and replied. “Thank you and I hope you learnt a thing or two from my short lecture.” Dominic laughed as he returned to his study room. He should visit his hospital and make enquires. The more of these Society members he finds, the better evidence. Leaving the study later, he found no one in the living room. He looked at the wall. Brielle had drafted a timetable for the kids. By the side there was a calendar for those who followed the timetable exactly and the prizes involved. Dominic slightly