Chapter 43: Malicious intent.
The conference held by the Mareed's company ended well. Some people had left, some were preparing to leave, while some were meeting up with other people, paying respect to themselves and linking up for future business purposes.
It seems Aria had lost her way, she was sitting with her sister-in-law all this while before she stood up and excused herself to use the restroom.
"Will you be fine alone?" Flora had asked her as she was leaving.
Aria stood on the high paved balcony. All the restrooms were situated on the top floor. The ladies section seperated from the gentlemens's own. She wondered the bastard who had drew this building plan or brought up the idea.
She could remember she had walked for a long time before encountering the restroom. Now that she had relieved herself, she found it hard to get her way back into the hall.
She didn't give up, she continued walking, her heels making a silent loud echoes.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for honoring this occasion". She heard the masculine voice, belonging to the youngest son of the Mareed.
She smiled as she pictured his baby cute face on stage.
"Ahn? This is the back stage". Aria ran back, she can't afford to come into the hall through the back stage, they might think she was an imposter. Though she knew her identity would be sorted out with ease if such happens.
She ran faster in her heels. "Where would I pass to the entrance?" She asked herself rhetorically.
"I can help ma'am". Someone answered the confused Aria.
"Huh?" She was still facing the direction where she had wanted to run to, so she never knew who had answered her.
"Pls, I'll be happy if....". Her statements got hanged, she couldn't believe who she was seeing, "the young handsome man?".
"No, no, I don't need his help". She said in her mind and started running again.
"Freeaaaaaaaa"
It was Aria's cloth tearing off. She didn't know her dress had hanged the door handle she was about to open.
"Huh? What's that?". She looked back, her clothes now look like a rag, she didn't come with her own car, she came with Flora and her elder brother.
Duncan walked to her after seeing her situation. "You can't wear this cloth out, people would think you ran off from a psychiatric hospital or maybe you borrowed the dress just to get in here". He laughed as he said.
Aria watched his foolish mouth moving, she felt like slapping him with her heels. "Is this how you talk to a young pretty lady?" She asked with anger.
When he saw her fuming, he decided to tease her more. "That? I didn't see. I only saw a pretty dress being damaged". He provoked her more.
"You are so annoying". She said, as she dragged the shattered pieces hanging unto her dress along with her.
"The security will definitely question you and I'll be in support of it". He said again, folding his arms to watch her next action.
Aria smiled wickedly, she didn't know a handsome guy like him could be so frustrating. "And are you sure you won't regret it?". She asked him smiling.
"Why would I? Wait, regret messing up with an unclean chicken?" He laughed out loud.
"This guy is really annoying". She looked at him fiercely as she said in her mind.
"Before my patience runs out, leave my presence". She said.
Duncan picked his phone, pretending to call the security personnel.
"Come to the top floor now, there's a lady here I don't understand. Her status is unknown, and she looks tattered". He said desperately.
Aria watched the scene, she was dumbfounded. "You called me a chicken, now you calling the security on me, don't you think you are over stepping?" She asked him.
"Hello Aria, where are you?" Flora call came in before Duncan could answer.
"A friend's place actually. You don't have to worry about me". She said and smiled.
Aria wanted to deal with this arrogant rude charming prince before she leaves.
"This is past 9, this place would be closed soon". He said and started leaving.
"Yahhhhhh! Won't you wait for me?" She shouted and ran after him. When they got to the car park, it was only Duncan's car that was left there.
Duncan walked to his car, opened his car door and got inside.
"Yahhhh! You are so wicked". Aria shouted, almost crying. "Really? I am? Goodnight Miss". He smiled gently.
"I hate you, I hate you". She shouted with a fierce look.
Duncan's trauma triggers immediately, he had hated such statements since his childhood. He got down from the car, went to Aria and carried her in a princess style.
He placed her into his own car and checked her expression. "Don't be feel too special, I hate it when someone tells me they hate me".
She watched in awe as the car started moving.
...........
In the morning .....
It was 7am sharp, Fiona was really tired due to yesterday's conference set up she had to assisted the company with. She decided to visit Gad's house since he had sent her his home address.
"Good morning Mr Gad, I called to inform you that I am on my way to your place".
"Alright, take your time". He replied.
Few minutes later, she was at the entrance leading to the big mansion standing in her presence.
"You can come in". Gad came out of the house to guide her in.
"I just need to get the document while I take my leave. I need to get to work on time". She explained to him.
"No problem, sit here while I get it from my room". He said and left.
Fiona looked around the living room, it was twice the length and breadth of her own home. As she was waiting for him, she saw a lady coming down the white glass stairs.
She was wearing a knicker and a T-shirt, Fiona watched as she descended the stairs.
The lady was younger than her, just like Flora's sister-in-law, Aria.
Fiona had many thoughts at once.
"Maybe she is his younger sister, or maybe he likes dating younger women like her age, or maybe he is already married?" She covered her mouth in surprise.
The young lady looked at Fiona blankly, she sat down on the sofa across to her.
"Hello". Fiona tried greeting her, but she got no response. She looked at her indifferently before switching on the T.V.
Fiona watched as the young devil lady ignored her. Words were filled up in her mouth to utter to her, but considering she had no relationship with Gad, she had no choice than to keep quiet.
She adjusted her position when she saw Gad coming with a brown envelope. "This is it". He stretched forth his hands to her.
"Yes, thank you. I'll love to take my leave now". She took the envelope, stood up and bowed her head before leaving.
Gad watched her as she left, his head was blank, no one knows what he was thinking.
........
There was no news from Joan's side, Royce wandered in his office. He knew the lady might be trying to play some sort of games with him.
Since his mind wasn't at rest, he dialed her contact on his phone. He needed to threaten her more, for her not to go back on her words. He couldn't wait to see Maxson perishing in the hands of someone he loves.
"I don't need to tell you what to do right?" He asked coldly.
"Yes I know". Her voice shook, she hated him to the core. How he had tortured her, harmed and threatened her still replays on her head wildly.
"So why taking too long? Seems you don't need that old man of yours anymore, you are so selfish I see". He insulted her.
Joan voice seized, she didn't know what else to say to him or how to respond. "I'll do something". She managed to speak out.
"You better!". He roared as he ended the call".
Joan heaved a relief sigh, she had recorded everything he had said while calling. Well, there was nothing she could do for now, she needed to plan how to move her grandfather away from City B first.
...........
"Third young master". Hack called out to Maxson in the huge room where everyone sitted.
"You can start". He gave him a go ahead order.
Hack stood up, he controlled the flat wide projector on the wall with a device in his hand. The projector displayed how Royce had gone to kidnap Joan in her home.
Though Joan's house isn't well furnished or designed, the landlord had built a well functioning monitoring system around the house.
While watching the video, all of their faces denied warmth. Scott sat still, not flinching nor shaking.
He knew his younger brother so well, he would do anything for the people he love, just like him.
Immediately the footage stopped playing, Maxson spoke up. "I want to thank everyone for honoring my call, but I would love if everyone could bring up idea in dealing with this guy". He said.
"For me, I don't think Royce could act on his own, let's just trace the mastermind through him". Everyone agreed.
Scott stretched forth his hands, receiving a picture of Ryain Royce. He looked at the picture for a long time before speaking.
"Firstly, we would be targeting his weakness. His mother or sister cannot possibly be his weakness because, he is a selfish person". He said gently.
"Venom, Prum and Hack. Start by touching his criminal records and his work. Dragon and spider, you two should keep monitoring him strictly".
"Yes boss!" They all echoed.
.........
"Boss!" Black eyes bowed before his master, they had been working hand in hand since their first mission".
"Plan to meet Royce soon, threaten him cruelly so he could place another attack on them". Arthur explained.
"Also, arrange something special for Cylene, she needs to go through a surprise too". He laughed hystericallly, his voice sounded simple but harsh.
"Yes boss". Black eye said and left.
"Mint, Papy and Faxle, you keep guiding the underground here. I'll signal to you your new tasks soon". Arthur relaxed his brain after speaking to his men.
"Yes boss". They bowed in respect to him.