Chapter 98 Have to be Strong

Chapter 98 Have to be Strong
Breaking News:

"Blake Corporation president, Mr. Xander Blake has been shot during his kids' birthday party by Miss Crystal Miller. He was immediately taken to the hospital. However, there is no update on his health as the family is keeping it under wraps. We all hope that he will recover soon and be fine." 

"Crystal Miller has been arrested by the police. It hasn't been disclosed why she did this. Her engagement to Mr. Blake had recently been called off, and many shocking facts about Miss Miller have come to light. People are assuming that she wanted to take her revenge." 

"But it's a really shocking news. The news came out that Crystal Miller actually tried to kill one of the kids. Despite the security, someone managed to enter the resort and execute such a heinous act. We'll keep you posted on any further developments. Stay tuned!"

"What an evil person that woman is! It's good that you've severed all ties with her in time."

A woman's voice was heard in the room as the news was playing on the TV.

"Of course, she's in jail now. She'll never be able to get out after shooting someone like Xander Blake." Zidane replied.

"Jealousy is so dangerous." the woman shook her head. 

She was sitting on Zidane's lap while he had his hands wrapped around her securely.

"Let's just forget about her." he stated, kissing her shoulder.

"The Blake Corporation's share market will face a huge blow after this. I think this might actually be good for us." the woman said as a realization.

"Yes. As you can see, you’re very lucky for me. Our engagement got fixed, and I received this news." he said in a seductive tone.

The woman smiled with a blush.

"I don't want him to die. But if he does, Blake Corporation will lost it's glory. They don't have any candidate as intelligent as Mr. Blake right now."

"Even if he survives, he won’t be able to do anything for the time being. That will do them enough damage to the company." Zidane smirked.

"You will be the number one in the world." the woman declared with excitement. "By the way.. when are you going to announce our engagement to the media. I'm very excited."

"As you can see, Xander Blake has been shot and his life is in danger. I don't think it's a good time to announce our engagement. We will wait for a few days." Zidane explained.

"Okay. Whatever you say is right." she leaned in and kissed him on the lips. 

Zidane’s engagement had been arranged, and it wasn't with Gloria. That was the reason he had to return to Purple City a few days ago. The woman was from a business family from Purple City. This union would benefit both families. Now he had returned to Zavion City to finish his unfinished task which was to destroy both Xander Blake and Ariadne Miller.

..... 

In the hospital everyone was waiting for Xander to regain his consciousness. William and Aaron had left with Mr. Wright while Tiara and Mary took the kids on a tour of the hospital. Ariadne remained seated on the bench outside Xander's room. He had been shifted there from the OT. However, no one was allowed inside yet. It hadn’t been twenty-four hours, and he was still under close monitoring. 

Ariadne looked towards the elevator when she heard a commotion. She frowned when she saw Margaret. She was trying to come in her direction but the guards stopped her. Jose had given orders not to allow any outsiders into the corridor. And they knew that Xander no longer trusted his mother.

Ariadne stood up and walked over to them.

"Stop this. Let her in. She’s your boss’s mother."

Margaret looked disoriented. Gone was the woman who always remained well-dressed, holding herself with an aloof, royal air. She was looking worried as well, and why wouldn't she be? Her son had been shot and was in a critical condition. As Ariadne said, the guards stepped aside, allowing her to pass.

Margaret looked at her. Ariadne turned and walked back to the bench, sitting down. Margaret followed.

"Where’s Xander?" she asked.

Ariadne pointed to Xander's room. Margaret approached the door and looked at Xander through the glass. He lay unconscious in bed with IV tubes connected to his body and an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth.

Margaret gasped and covered her mouth with her hand, shaken by the sight of his condition. Tears filled her eyes as she turned away, quietly walking over to the bench. She lowered herself beside Ariadne and sat in silence.

"Thank you." she said after a while, looking at Ariadne.

Ariadne slightly nodded, meeting her gaze.

"Mommy!"

They turned towards the voice and saw Alex toddling towards them. Margaret's eyes widened as she gazed at the boy. Alex approached and wrapped his arms around Ariadne.

"Is daddy awake?" he asked.

"Not yet, baby." Ariadne replied.

"Is this the child who is…" Margaret trailed off, staring at his legs as she remembered how she had called him 'crippled'. She fell silent, regretting her past actions.

"He looks just like Xander." she added as she stared at Alex with affection.

She opened her mouth to say something to him but hesitated and remained silent. Ariadne noticed it.

"Alex... this's your grandmother." she said, pointing at Margaret.

"Wow... another grandmother!" Alex exclaimed. 

Margaret smiled at him. Alex went up to her and hugged her, surprising Margaret. 

She reached out, caressing his cheek. "I’m so sorry, Alex." she wrapped him into her arms and burst into tears.

Tiara and Mary approached them with Adrian and Autumn. They stayed away from Margaret.

"I’m sorry." Margaret said, looking at everyone. "I misbehaved with you and always sided with Crystal. Look at what she did to our family. I regret everything. If you can ever forgive me…" her voice broke and she lowered her face.

"It's okay. It’s all is in the past." Ariadne said.

She couldn't forgive Margaret for her past actions and words. But she bore no grudge now that she had shown remorse. However, she would never trust her, neither would they be close.

After a while, the doctor came to check on Xander. 

"He's out of danger now. You can go in and see him," the doctor announced after coming out of the room.

Everyone relaxed upon hearing the good news. They all went in to see Xander one by one. After spending some time, Margaret left the hospital. There were some matters to handle at the company, so William had to leave as well. Ariadne sent the others home and stayed at the hospital herself. Jose stayed with her. 

.... 

Ariadne was startled awake when she heard a sound. She opened her eyes and looked at the bed. Xander was awake and looking at her. She gasped. 

"Xander!"

She got up from the couch and rushed to the bed. 

"You're awake. Thank God you're awake." she said frantically, happy tears filling her eyes. 

Xander smiled at her. He looked too weak to say anything.

"Wait a second." Ariadne said and hurried towards the door to call the doctors.

.

"Everything is fine. You need to rest and take your medicine, and you'll get well soon, Mr. Blake." the doctor said.

Xander nodded at him. Jose and Ariadne stood to the side while the doctor checked Xander after he woke up.

"How are you feeling?" Ariadne asked as she was left alone with him.

Jose went with the doctor after the check up.

"Good." he replied weakly. "Is everyone okay?"

"Yes, everyone is fine... Xander... I’m sorry. Gloria... you warned me about her, but I didn’t listen. I gave her the chance to execute her evil plans."

"Hey...It’s not your fault. And everything’s fine."

"No, it’s not. You could have..." her eyes welled up with tears. "You’re in the hospital… in this condition… because of me... I’m sorry."

The entire time, she was blaming herself for all of this. She shouldn't have trusted Gloria. Xander had nearly lost his life. Their plan was to kill Alex. She shuddered whenever she thought about what would have happened if they had been successful.

"They would’ve found another way to strike anyway. Don’t blame yourself." Xander stated. 

And that was the truth. They would've found another way to harm her family. They would keep trying as well. But she would never let that happen. She clenched her jaw in determination.

"Okay." she nodded. "You need to take some rest. Sleep now. We will talk later." 

After Xander took his medication, he drifted off to sleep again. Ariadne remained in the room, settling on the couch. 

. 

"I need to go somewhere." Ariadne said to the guards appointed for her safety. 

They nodded and headed towards the car. It was the next morning. Xander's condition had improved slightly, so she decided to finish a job.

She climbed off the car and looked at the building.

"This way madam." a guard said.

She came to the police station to meet with Crystal. The guard took her to Crystal's chamber. She was sitting in the small bed at the far end. She appeared lost in her thoughts. Ariadne looked at her in silence for a while. They had grown up together as kids. Crystal was once a proud woman and now look where she had landed herself. She shook her head and cleared her throat.

"Hello, Crystal."

Crystal looked at her when she called her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"I know you're not happy to see me here, and after I give you the news, you'll be furious too. But what can I do... you deserve this." she paused, took in her surroundings, and then returned her gaze to Crystal.

"Xander is fine. Nothing has happened to him." she said with a smile.

Crystal clenched her jaw, glaring at her. Ariadne got closer to the iron bars.

"I know you're working with Zidane." she stated. "Tell Zidane we’re not afraid of him. Try whatever you want, but you will never win. My family is not my weakness.... they're my strength." she said before turning and leaving.

She was done being afraid. After her accident, she had become terrified of Zidane's evil ways. But now she had realized she needed to stay strong for her kids and her family. So, she came to warn Crystal that she would fight back against their every strike.

Crystal looked at her retreating figure, hatred and fury burning in her eyes.