CHAPTER NINETEEN – COMPETITION The amount he had spent on the duplex made Dominic unwilling to spend anymore on the stores. He had told the agent he’d think again then return within the week. “How did the price of a luxury apartment rise to almost two million dollars?!” he slapped the steering wheel. Or should he have settled for one that wasn’t luxurious? He had wanted an apartment with similar aura to Thales Mansion they had lost. So Lucas would feel proud of being a Thales member after he surely must have regretted it while he was bullied at the orphanage. Also the duplex would be mysterious and very uninviting. Not all would appreciate it’s black and gold designs. It’d be really unique to behold. He smiled at the house documents, then patted it. “We’d move in within the week. Let everything move as quickly as possible.” His phone rang and he reached for it.The caller ID had Casimir Jones on the caller ID, a frown came to his face. After realizing they approached h
CHAPTER TWENTY – TAKE THE ADVICE Casimir paced around the hall, snapping his fingers as he walked. What took that young master so long? Hadn’t he said to meet him in Pommel Hotel in twenty minutes?! “Argghh! Goodness, he must think I’m like him who isn’t time conscious. I shouldn’t have hung up immediately and ask him what he wanted to say!” he groaned. Why were Americans so late all the time! It was very annoying and definitely unprofessional. The receptionist at the hotel looked up as a car drove in. She exhaled, feeling tired of her job and the young man consistently pacing and talking out loud. Another tall young man walked inside, quite confident in wealthy strides. “Hello, pretty. I’d like a reservation…” He trailed off, looking from her to the young man pacing about. The receptionist frowned, why was the attractive man in front of her distracted by that pest? “Casimir Jones, you came in earlier than I thought.” It was Dominic, he walked from the receptionist to
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE – A LETTER Marketing specialists were quite expensive now. Dominic transferred the payment to the specialist Jamie found, after a week of searching. She had good online presence and had worked with big companies already. She also had a fashion agency and had offered to bring some kids to model. Of course, Suzy was the main model so the kids will just be models who advertise the clothes. The specialist said it was for no cost and just her ‘little contribution to support the Thales empire’. It actually felt like the cost was covered by the huge amount he paid her but all the same. “So tomorrow, I’d hope to see my cloth line everywhere. The Thales Empire Instagram account also needs to be updated.” He sighed. “I’d let Jamie do that. I’m four years behind in social media anyway.” His mind went to sifting through the clothes that had been preserved in the storeroom. They didn’t seem like they were four years old already. The style still trended, the mater
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO – WITH THE BOYS Dominic clenched his teeth. Why was Brielle leaving the little boys at school for so long? He got out of the car. “Blue jacket, huh?” Lucas nodded. “Yeah, down there. Are you going to pick them up? The always hungry one is exhausted by now.” The fact Lucas called them by ‘always angry one’ and ‘always hungry one’ didn’t really please Dominic but he understood he didn’t know their names yet. “Kids! If you know your parents’ phone numbers, bring it to me so I’d call them to pick you up!” a teacher yelled. No child obliged and just sat there in silence. They probably couldn’t write their names well. How’d they memorize their parents’ phone numbers? “Excuse me?” Dominic went to the teacher. She looked tired but they lit up on seeing him. “Young Master Dominic Thales? You are him, right?” The news circulated abundantly and after Miss Avarez posted that she was working with Thales Empire on her handles, the news of his awake blew even fas
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE – REGRETDominic rubbed his face and sighed. He should really give Brielle credit for living with a second version of his grand father. Even he knew how unbearable it could get. “You act a lot like your grandfather, maybe you shouldn’t scold your mom. She knows better than you, you know.” Lucas advised. The waitress returned with their order. “I don’t act like my grandfather. He’s not around for me to see him.” Lucas paused, realizing Lucian wouldn’t know the grandfather he meant. “Well…” “I think he means your dad’s father.” Dominic explained. “You act a lot like him. He usually scolds your mother.” Dorian’s eyes widened. “You know my daddy’s daddy?!” “How do you know? Well, if that’s so then I should stop scolding mommy because daddy’s family is bad. I don’t want to be bad.” Lucian said. Lucas's and Dominic’s breathing hitched. “Who told you that?” they asked in unison. “No one.” He replied, surprising them again. “I figured myself.” Lucia
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR – REVEAL Brielle changed Dorian out of his uniform. Lucian was still struggling with his. “Need help?” she asked, after his head got stuck in his shirt. He said nothing and moved closer to her and she helped him pull it out, he strolled off again. A sigh left her lips as she fell on the bed with Dorian. “I’m really sorry I told the driver late about picking you guys up. Did you get hungry? Wanna eat something?” Lucian crawled on top her bed. “Did you send drivers to pick us up? When did you tell them that?” There was mischievousness laced in his words so Brielle sat up. “I did tell. Why not? Didn’t they bring you back?” Dorian shook his head, while clinging to his mother. “A man had picked us up, then he fed us good food. Then told us about grandpa. Then he brought us home.” Brielle’s ears perked up, her eyes shook with uncertainty and fear. Who was the strange man who took her kids and even fed them? Kidnappers again? Or what this time? “A girl
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE – SCOLD Dominic couldn’t sleep since his encounter with his sons. He rolled to his side, then gazed at the ceiling. “Why is Brielle doing this to me?” The reply letter she sent back laid on his bedside table. He was unwilling to open it. If it was a negative response, that he won’t be allowed to his kids, then there was no need to read it and get his mood spoiled that night. If it was positive and he’d be allowed to see his kids, he might wait a while before replying because he wouldn’t want to meet Lucian a day after he called him bad. “Also, she should be busy trying to unlearn them any ill idea they have of me or their paternal side.” He sighed. This was the reason he had kept them at the back of his head to focus on his business. Now, he was emotionally turbulent to do much at his company. Whilst overthinking, he fell asleep. “Uncle Domi?” he heard someone whispering in his ears, while gently shaking him. His eyes fluttered open, when light pi
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX – INVESTIGATE The transport service was ready to go and will launch in two days time. The marketing specialist was handling the advertisement of the transport service. The cloth line had been launched but the feedback hadn’t been submitted to the CEO yet. The statistics would hold how successful it was but Jamie hoarded it from Dominic till he had finished the necessary documentations concerning the transport service. Dominic was still on the documents. He scratched his head, flipping through the pages. Why was he being punished like this?! There was a knock on the door. “Jamie, if you want to bring in reports of the cloth line, you’re very welcome to, but if you’re bringing me more paper work, then forget it.” Dominic said. The door burst open and Jean Jones jumped in. “Well, I’m here to do neither so I decided to enter anyway!” Dominic’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. He had heard from her brother that she’d stop by to help the marketing sp
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