Fifty two
Ellen’s POV
I sat in my room with an open bottle of pinot noir as I let the events of the past few days swirl through my mind like a wind of chaos. Liz and Gabriel were both taken in on charges of physical abuse. The similarities between their situations were too striking to ignore. Both pieces of evidence released against them had Kamille at its center.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
If Kamille was dead, then who the hell was scheming on her behalf.
I began going back memory lane to recall if she had any close friends from high school but none was forthcoming. I had made sure of that anyway. What about college? Did she have any friends then? After college, before and after her marriage to Zeke did she make any friends I did not know about?
But try as I might, I couldn’t recall a single name. Kamille had been meticulous about keeping her distance from others. She had avoided people like a plague.
Fuck! I cursed inwardly and with a frustrated groan, I reached for the glass of wine on my bedside table and took a sip.
“Yes! That had to be it.” I said aloud as I dropped the wine glass back on the bedside table.
Back in college, there was this nerd of a medical student who clung to Kamille. A very naive and shy lady, who later became a doctor. That was the only friend Kamille ever had. But what could a timid person like her possibly do? I closed my eyes and tried to recall her name or face.
Yes, that was a waste of my damned time. Becky would know her.
I picked up my phone and dialed Becky’s office line. But as the call connected, my hopes were dashed by the automated voicemail greeting that greeted me. “I’m sorry, but the person you are trying to reach is unavailable at this time.” the voice intoned mechanically.
Why in the freaking hell is she unavailable?!
With a heavy sigh, I ended the call, threw my phone aside, and poured myself another glass of pinot noir. Having had my fill, I lay silently on my soft bed.
Just as I began drifting into sleep, my phone buzzed with a new message. “Who the hell is that?” I asked no one in particular. I unlocked the screen and found a message from Max. He was my personal guard but I freely accepted when Mr Finley placed him in the role of tailing Zeke.
Opening the message, my eyes widened at the photo attached-a picture of Zeke standing in front of his penthouse, hand in hand with a woman whose face was conveniently obscured from view. Sleep instantly lost its hold on me.
“Who’s this woman? Could she be the same woman from his mansion?” I muttered to myself, my mind racing with questions.
Quickly typing out a response to Max, I asked, “Who is she? And why is she with Zeke?” I hit send, hoping for a prompt reply.
A few moments later, a response came through. “Sorry, couldn’t get a clear shot of her face. But they seemed pretty cozy.” Max replied.
My heart raced with a mixture of rage and hatred. “Keep watching Zeke. Let me know if anything else comes up.” I instructed, my fingers flying over the keyboard.
I began to pace back and forth in my room, my frustration boiling over, I couldn’t help but rant about what I would do when I found that mysterious woman. “I’ll tear her apart,” I muttered through clenched teeth, my hands balling into fists. “Who does she think she is, getting cozy with Zeke? She’s going to regret ever crossing paths with our family.”
Each word dripped with venom as I imagined confronting the woman who had dared to entangle herself with Zeke. “I’ll make her pay,” I seethed, my voice rising with each passing moment.”She won’t know what hit her when I’m through with her.”
In a moment of silence, I heard my father’s footsteps approaching my room. He entered, concern etched across his face as he inquired about the source of my distress.
I thrust the image of Zeke and the unknown woman into his hands, my frustration is evident in every word. “Look at this! Zeke is with another woman, Dad. I need to find out who she is and what she’s doing with him.” I said and only paused long enough to take in air. “Why should he be flaunting his whore for the whole world to see?” I asked no one in particular.
My father’s expression darkened as he studied the photo. “Ellen, listen to me,” he said gravely. “I understand your anger, but we can’t afford to act rashly. If you find this woman, don’t confront her physically. We need to handle this quietly, without drawing attention to ourselves.”
His words gave me pause, but I couldn’t contain my outrage. “But Dad, she’s part of whatever is going on with Zeke. We can’t just ignore her!” I protested.
He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I know, Ellen. Now there is nowhere in hell we are going to ignore her. You are instead going to use a slow and cunning way to get her out of the picture. But our priority right now is to find the children. That’s what’s most important. We’ll deal with this woman in due time, but for now, we need to focus on the kids.”
After thinking of what my father had just suggested, I saw reason with what he said and a sinister smile broke across my face. “Oh Dad, you are definitely a genius. No wonder, I am your daughter.” He smiled.
“And by the way, what do you intend on doing when you find the kids?.” I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
My father’s expression darkened, his gaze distant as he considered my question. “Leave that to me,” he replied cryptically. “I know what needs to be done.”
His response only fueled my curiosity further. “But Dad, what do you mean?” I pressed.
He sighed, his features softening as he met my gaze. “Ellen, focus on getting Zeke,” he said firmly. “Leave the rest to me. I’ll take care of it.”
“Okay, Dad. I trust you.” I replied. If Father said he got it covered, then he surely does have it covered.
“I must leave now,” Father said, rising to his feet.
“Where are you going?” I asked, letting curiosity get the better of me.
He paused at the doorway, turning back to face me with a faint smile. “I’m heading to the office to meet with some of the shareholders,” he replied. “There is an investor who seems interested in our company.”
I furrowed my brow, wondering what investor would be silly enough to invest in our company at the moment. But I knew better than to pry further. With a nod, I let him go. “Alright, Father. See you later.”
After all, an investment in our company would mean we would make some extra cash. So who fucking cares about who is investing.
On Father leaving, I went back to my bed and downed the last content of my wine. I had only picked up my phone to surf the internet when I heard a gentle knock on my room door followed closely by Mother’s voice. “Hello, Ellen. Are you in there?” She asked warmly.
“Yes, mother. I’m in.” I replied and she walked in quietly holding a bowl filled with biscuits.
“Here,” She said, stretching forth the bowl. “I brought you some biscuits.”
“Thank you, Mom,” I said gratefully, sitting up to accept the plate of biscuits she offered.
She lingered in the doorway, concern evident in her gaze. “Don’t overwork yourself, Ellen,” she said softly, her motherly instinct kicking in. “You really do not have to get involved with these things. That is why Mr Finley is on the payroll. And there’s your dad to help oversee things.”
I offered her a reassuring smile, masking the turmoil within me. “I’ve got this, Mom,” I replied, understanding the root of her concern.
Two of her children were currently in detention and who knows, I might be next. “You should go and rest. You’ve been working hard too.” I said dryly.
Reluctantly, my mother nodded, her worry lingering like a shadow in the room. With a final glance in my direction, she turned and left.
Just as Mother left, my phone buzzed with a message from Max.
The kids are staying with Zeke at his penthouse.
They’re enrolled in a private school owned by one Mr. Christopher George.
I clenched my fists in frustration.