Chapter 16

~Lucien~

For the first time in so long, I felt my heart race in my chest. I dashed back into the room and took my clothes. In a hurry, I dashed out of the building and hurried into the car, zooming off to the mansion.

I never planned for any of that to happen. I didn't even know what I was doing.

“Shit,” I cursed as I banged the steering wheel with my fists and pushed a bit more on the pedal. The image of her teary eyes came back to mind. She looked emotionally disheveled by what had happened.

I put a little more force on the pedal and sped past the next five red lights. Thinking back to the party, it seemed someone had drugged us. In fury, I placed a call to Alex, he answered on the first ring.

“Boss,” he greeted with professionalism.

“Natalie and I got drugged last night at Verin's party,look into it for me.” I said. I didn't give him a chance to reply when I had already cut the call.

I had no idea. No idea that Natalie was still a virgin at her age. She was still untouched while most of her mates were living the life outside.

I felt guilt wash over me as I sped past the mansion gates. I didn't even wait to park properly before I had already dashed out.

The maids bowed their heads and left as I passed them by. “Where's Natalie?” I asked one of them. She shuddered, feeling scared at my tone.

Slowly, she raised up her head and told me Natalie had been locked up in the room all day. I sighed before walking up the stairs.

The room door had been locked from inside, so I couldn't go in. I could only knock and hope she'd open the door or talk to me.

But, no matter how hard I knocked, she never answered me. My phone rang, I raised my hand, wanting to see who the caller was.

I frowned at the name on my display screen, but I knew I had to pick the call. I stepped back a bit from the door and picked the call.

Ryan's cool voice echoed.

“Hello.”

“What is it?” I asked, a bit frustrated he was calling at that hour.

“You haven't carried out the plan yet.”he chuckled.

I felt my jaws tense at his words. “I will,” my voice was low. A series of events that happened yesterday came back to mind, making me frown.

“You've spent so much time away from home. We're having dinner now, I'm expecting you.’’

Ryan said before cutting the call, leaving no room for disapproval.

My frown deepened, Ryan wouldn't call me back if something hadn't happened. I wondered how serious the matter was, but I couldn't quite get it.

I hated feeling like this. Feeling like I was kept in the dark. My grip on the car keys I was holding tightened as I walked out of the house and drove off to Ryan's place.

My mind recalled some incidents from years back. I was just a kid, it was my thirteenth birthday and I was on my way back to the city after studying abroad for 3 years.

On that fateful day, my world crumbled. All I had. My family. Was lost in a single day,and it was right before my eyes.

Our lovely house, the one I'd built so many memories in, was bombed and collapsed right before my eyes. My whole family and our servants were engulfed in a big fire, and was nothing I could do about it.

It was Ryan who took me in and protected me, he promised to avenge the death of my parents.

It took me years, tearsand a lot of hard work, to find the killer. The man behind my pain and misery. Leon Banks, the most successful CEO.

That title has angered me at nights when I couldn't sleep. I wanted revenge,and I had it. But, I still didn't feel satisfied with the outcome. I didn't see the purpose of avenging anymore. I had spent most of my life planning and plotting, but it still wasn't satisfactory enough.

The guilt of making Natalie look like that tugged at my skin.

The servants were shocked to see me back in Ryan's house the moment I stepped in. It was still the same—expensive furniture and decor that screamed luxury.

I could hear a female's light laughter as I walked deeper into the house. That voice, I recognized it. It was Serene’s.

I frowned again,was this dinner about her?

Her familiar smile and the faint scent of her cologne were what welcomed me into the room. Ryan on the other hand was just looking at me.

With a grim expression, I sat at his left hand. Selene called my name then smirked. “There's an empty seat beside me.”

“I'm fine.”

My voice was cold and distant.

She gulped down and continued her meal after rolling her eyes at me.

“It’s nice to see you again, Lucien.” Ryan smirked at me in a way that made me feel uncomfortable in my seat.

“I thought Selene was abroad?” I asked, clearing my throat while adjusting my cuffs. Selene was about to reply, but Ryan interrupted.

“She's going to take over my empire soon, she has to be here to do that since I have no other heir.” His voice was low and deep.

Selene pouted,she hated being cut off like that. “Daddy doesn't want me to have my stage to myself.”

Ryan faced her with a blank expression. “Eat your meal Selene, while it's still hot.”

“So,” Ryan faced me.

I could already feel the heavy weight of the incoming question. “How are things with your new wife?” He asked.

I gulped down, my nerves tensing as I adjusted myself in my seat.

“Fine,” I answered. But deep inside me, I wondered how Natalie currently was. Was she still mad at me?

“Hmmm…I hope you know your time is limited. Mr Leon isn't dead yet. He could actually wake up.” Ryan smirked.

I could see Selene's eyes glow with excitement that disgusted me.

But, Ryan was right. All of this power I had over Natalie would die immediately when Leon woke up from the coma.

“So, what are you suggesting?” I asked Ryan.