The atmosphere in the Allen family house was suffocating, the tension palpable, sitting on the couch each of them battled with their own thought and unspoken suspicions.
Each suspecting the other as the perpretrator of the accident and silently contemplating the same question—who was responsible for the accident? Who among them had orchestrated this carefully planned disaster?
Vera stared at Desmond coldly, her fist clenched, for the several times she had dealt with him, she had come to understand he is always meek before the Old man and becomes a viper in his absence, he will exert dominion in every little opportunity and this situation was no different.
Vera’s thoughts were a tangled mess. At the first prompt of her hearing about the attack. She had secretly hoped that Davis would somehow survive the attack but that Jessica would be eliminated in the process. That was supposed to be the perfect outcome.
An outcome that will balance every debt. An outcome that will pay her back for crossing her and causing her pain. Any outcome that will avenge her wounded heart.
But surprisingly after the attack, the news of both them not found on the scene sent waves of fear over her.
Aaron’s lips curled up slightly as he leaned back, a flicker of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. This is truly an answered prayer, he thought to himself.
For too long, he had watched Davis get too comfortable and no longer hurting. In addition, Vera is beginning to show interest on him and he isn’t reconciled over such situation.
In fact, ever since Jessica entered the picture, Davis’s life had taken an unexpected turn, disrupting Aaron’s carefully laid plans. But now, with Davis out of the picture may be everything will shift again to his favour.
Desmond, though anxious had a lingering feeling that this might be the move of that man because his patience was already running thin.
With their last conversation ending on a sour note, but could he really be the one behind Davis and Jessica’s sudden attack?
He wouldn’t kidnap them outrightly, would he? Desmond mused. But the timing was too perfect, too precise to be a random guess. How did he find out when Davis was leaving the family? It seems he is not the only one in contact with him.
Desmond felt chills down his spine, his breathe caught in his throat. Quickly he glanced around the faces of the family members contemplating who might be in contact with him.
Desmond gaze rested on Vera, not missing the flicker of coldness that coursed through her face.
His gaze lingering on her as he tried to probe her expression but with Vera meeting his gaze head on, he quickly averted his.
He was certain that it was not only Vera’s gaze that was on him.
He could feel the weight of the stares directed at him, forcing him to maintain an expression of concern. Feigning worry, he let out a deep sigh, masking the unease building within him.
Just then, a shrill ring from his phone cut through the tense atmosphere. All eyes snapped to him as he picked up the call.
The voice on the other end crisp and official.
"Mr. Allen, this is the police department. Davis Allen’s car was found abandoned along Samba Road.
The vehicle was destroyed beyond recognition, possibly involved in a severe accident. However, there’s no sign of him or any other passengers inside. Additionally, the car’s dash cam is missing."
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Desmond’s fingers curled slightly around his phone as he processed the news. Though he outwardly furrowed his brows in forced concern, a wave of relief swept through him. So, he covered his tracks well, he thought, realizing the mastermind had left no loose ends.
Across the room, Elder Allen’s frail hands tightened around his cane. His face darkened with emotion, and the slight tremble in his grip betrayed his distress. Slowly, he rose to his feet, his voice low but firm.
"Desmond," he said, his tone laced with warning, "as the head of the Allen family, it is your responsibility to get to the bottom of this matter."
His gaze swept over the room, cold and unwavering. "Nothing should happen to him again."
With that, he turned away, his cane tapping against the polished floor as he walked toward his study, leaving the room in a heavy silence.
Vera’s gaze bore into Desmond with an intensity that made him shift uncomfortably.
She wasn’t saying anything, but the way she stared at him felt almost accusatory, as if she could see right through him. The room remained silent as they all watched Elder Allen’s retreating figure, his back hunched, his grip on his cane tightening with every step him
"His shoulders were stiff, weighed down by the burden of uncertainty.
Once they were certain he had left, Desmond finally took his seat, his expression unreadable. His sharp eyes flickered between Aaron and Vera, assessing them. He leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping against the armrest in thought.
"Aaron," he started, his voice measured, "you and your wife have a lot to do regarding this situation." His words were carefully chosen, but his tone carried an underlying warning.
He paused for effect before continuing, "If Davis isn’t found within the next twenty-four hours, he will officially be declared missing. And you heard the Old Man—he’s already given his orders."
Aaron, who had been reclining lazily, scoffed. "Dad, is there even a need to bother looking? Don’t you think someone might be out to get him?" He shrugged as if it were an obvious conclusion. "You know how many enemies he’s made over the years."
Desmond’s glare turned cold and piercing. His instincts told him something wasn’t right. His suspicions had been mounting, and now, as he watched Vera’s body language, the feeling intensified. Could she be the informant? The mole planted by the unknown man behind the scenes?
It wouldn’t be surprising. After all, she had walked away from a decade-long relationship without a second thought. Betrayal wasn’t foreign to her.
Then, like a whisper in the wind, Jessica’s words from the past echoed in his mind. "Vera isn’t as loyal as you think. One day, you’ll see it for yourself."