CHAPTER 14

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Mark's POV

I never expected to see her again after the party. She's so rude yet beautiful and doesn't even know who I am and what I can do to her.

I need to find out about her background. I want to know who she is and everything.

"King, if I may ask. Why did you allow that lady to talk rudely to you when we can take care of her?" Jonas, the strongest among my bodyguards, inquired.

"Yeah King. If you hadn't stopped me, I would have taught her a lesson."

"Calm down Leo. Her courage is one of a kind ever since I saw her but I am still shocked that she doesn't care who I am, which makes me want to know who she is." I told Leo, my second best bodyguard.

"In that case, I'll look into her background and give you the details as soon as possible."

"Sure, do that. I trust you on that." I remarked and faced Jonas with a question.

"How about the findings, I asked you to look at?"

"King, it's almost done. I'll forward the documents to you once I am done. I got something else."

"What's that?"

"There is more to the previous ones. The enemy thinks he's so smart but isn't because he left something worth revealing himself and his accomplices to you."

"Impressive! Good work boys. Henceforth, lay low until I ask you guys to strike, is that noted?"

"Yes King." They responded in unison as we made for the car and left the mall.

I really love the spirit of that lady. I've never felt so interested in knowing any lady because they're never to be trusted and are weaklings except my little sister and this strange particular lady, acting so brave in front of a powerful man like me really amazes me in all ratification. I must know where and who's daughter she is among my business clients.

I'm Mark Clinton, the most successful business tycoon all around the world. I'm a ruthless, bloody and untamed man when it comes to business and all. I've got all the looks to make a woman fall head over heels with me but I don't give in to their charms because they're gold diggers.

They're only after people's wealth, connection and everything except your heart, which they play with like some kind of tissue being disposed once stained.

My mother was one of them. She left my dad, little sister and I when I was 17 and my little sister at 12 and after five years she came back, saying she regretted her actions but all that was a lie of her own to deal away with my father's wealth and play with our emotions. And ever since then, I vowed never to develop any likeness in women except my little sister.

But I do use them to fulfil my sexual carvings and nothing more. But it is still a shock as to how this strange lady's braveness and confidence surprises me and gets me more interested in her.

There is no way I'll develop any attraction towards her or even Madison Williams, who looks beautiful and killing just like her.

I once had a bad past with a lady but never again will I have anything to do with any woman again. When I needed love from my mother, she left us so true love doesn't exist. It is only a fairytale and untrue to me.

"Mark, you're a strong man who doesn't need a woman's love again. You survived it throughout your entire life so it can't happen now." I stated to myself when a knock disputed my peace.

"Come in." I ordered and Victor, my trusted spy walked in with a smile.

"Boss. It's so good to see your face again."

"Same here, Victor. I've missed your face as well. Come, have a seat." I urged him.

"Thank you, boss or should I say King." He uttered with a smirk.

"Not from you, Victor." I laughed and continued, "what news have you got?"

"The one you waited all these years to hear."

"Is it the mission I asked you to dig in personally?"

"Not that one, boss. My boys are still working on that. I promise to report back to you soon."

"For how long, Victor!" I roared.

"I've waited all these years to get that information, why is it difficult for you to get it?"

"I feel your pains, King but I don't know why they keep getting ahead but I promise to fish all of them out for you and that's one of the good news I want to share with you."

"Speak Victor, I don't have much patience."

Casabella's POV

I did a short prayer knowing Lora will start her nagging for returning late and facing her will be another headache just like the ones I had in the mall.

I stepped into the house and met her boiling with anger when she saw me. I can't avoid this nagging for sure.

"What is always wrong with you? Do you know how long I have been waiting for you to get back?"

"There were a lot of customers to attend to that's why I got delayed." I lied, trying to avoid any fight with her.

"I can see that. Do you think I am that stupid to believe that? This should be the last time it will ever repeat itself or you won't like the outcome."

Do I look like her slave? She should have gone to the mall herself or better still send Annie instead of stressing me out.

"Okay." I managed to utter and head to the kitchen and begin to stock the groceries in the refrigerator.

"I was hoping you wouldn't show you earlier." Annie said behind me.

"Too bad I made it early to shame some people planning evil against me."

"Whatever, when are you going to make lunch?"

"If you're really hungry, I see no reason why you can't do it yourself. After all, I am no servant to you or anyone."

"Fuck you bitch! Never forget you're a servant since you're under my father's care."

"Whoa! It really hurt, right. You and I know I am no servant to anyone, not even your father can prove it. Let me make this clear to you, Annie. I'm only living here with you guys on borrowed terms, if it wasn't the case, you and your parents would have been my servants, not the other way round."

"Watch your words, Bella." She yelled and Lora rushed in looking agitated.

"What happened Annie? What did she say or do to you?"

"This slutty witch here is really getting on my nerves, mother. Could you believe what she said?"

"Tell me, what did she say?"

"I didn't say anything bad to her. I just told her the truth she doesn't want to hear."

"Shut your damn mouth up." Lora fired and hit me on the cheek while Annie kept staring at me with anger.

I know she wouldn't dare utter any words to her mother because it's pointless and that's what they were when my parents were still much alive. They were always at the feet of my father for survival and shelter after uncle Smith lost his company and properties.

"Just forget it mother, it's not something serious. It's between the two of us." She said and walked out.

"What did you say to her, bitch?"

I remained quiet as she sent daggers at me and followed her daughter out.

Idiots, you both are always servants in my eyes and nothing will ever change that. My father saved them when they needed help but they repaid the kindness with evil.

I'll surely make them go back to the way they used to be, I promise. I won't spare any of them once I lay my hands on my father's will papers and make sure they rot in jail for physical abuse, maltreatment and theft.

The moment I was done stocking the fridge, I went to my room and had a warm and for some reasons, I felt happy for having strong courage and believe the day all my torture will end and I will over thrown my evil uncle and gain my freedom and life back.

I have the feeling something big and life changing is coming soon which I can't wait for. Andrew and his family will knee and beg for my forgiveness but I'll turn deaf ears just like they are doing to me.

I head to the garden to plant some flowers and trim overgrown plants and beautify the garden. It is one of my quiet places and where to have a good relaxation around and inhale the good smell of the flowers.

I picked the pruning shears and other implements and began to trim the edges of plants which are overgrown.

Throughout the day, I didn't get any rude or nonchalant attitude from Lora or Annie even when it was bedtime, Lora didn't assign any chores to me like she always does.

And through the night, I slept soundly for a long while with a little smile and happiness on my face.