Chapter 18

~Lucien~

My gaze darkened as I looked at Natalie sleeping peacefully on the bed. I frowned. I should have fought against the drink that night.

I quickly texted Alex to meet me in the study. Seeing the was she shivered slightly in her sleep, I gently tiptoed over to the window and closed it shut.

Giving her one last look, I slid out of the room and shut the door behind me. Gently, I walked into the dimly lit study. Alex was already standing at the corner, staring at his feet.

“What happened?” I asked, walking over to take a seat at the swivel chair behind the desk. As I sank into the chair, my expression darkened further as I stared at the pictures placed on the table.

“Lord Verin's other daughter wanted to seduce her sister's groom sir. The drinks meant for her and the groom was what you and miss banks drank.”

What a coincidence. I sighed.

“Inform lord Verin of this. He should train his daughters well.” I said, my fingers drumming against the wooden table.

“Yes sir,” Alex bowed his head.

Remembering Ryan and the surprise dinner, I adjusted myself in my seat. “Alex, I need you to help investigate Ryan. He's been making some moves lately, but I didn't know what it is.”

“Okay sir. I'll do that right away.” Alex tapped away on the iPad he was holding. I looked at him, admiring his hardwork. Alex had been my assistant for as long as I could remember. He had been with me through thick and thin. I had handpicked him myself from a mission in Italy.

My thought lingered back to Natalie. I had no idea she was still a virgin at her age. And from the looks of it, she valued her virginity a lot. Taking it from her like that, she must hate me and think it was my plan to humiliate and take revenge on her. I should be happy I made her feel so bad, but I couldn't be no matter how hard I tried.

I needed to free myself from this guilt as it was starting to slowly eat me up. I sighed as I thought of what I could do.

“Alex, I need you to help me get in touch with Alexa.” I said. Alexa was one of the top designers in the city, all her works spoke luxury and finesse. Natalie should be happy if I got something like that for her…I guessed.

“Alexa?” Alex looked stunned. Alexa only designed female wears, so it was normal for Alex to be surprised. I raised my head to look at him. He quickly looked down at his feet again.

“Natalie is angry with me.” I said, shocking him even more. Why should I care if Natalie was angry? I didn't know that either. Maybe it was the pitiful look on her face, or the way she looked at me the next morning.

I was sure Alex probably had a lot of questions in his mind, but he just nodded politely. “What do you need, master?” He asked.

“Ten bags. The most expensive ones. She should deliver tomorrow.” I said, sure of my decision.

Alex looked surprised. “You think that will fix things?”

I shrugged. “It’s worth trying. Most of the women I know like luxury things. Maybe it’ll help her forgive me.”

He nodded and took out his phone.

“One more thing,” I added. “Find out where Natalie’s brother is. I want to know if he’s safe. And what he’s been doing lately.”

Alex looked at me for a second, then gave a small nod. “Okay sir.”

“Any news from the hospital yet?” I asked him, raising my head a bit. “No sir, the doctors say Leon Banks might never wake up.” He assured me.

“Might?”

“You know sir, these things can't really be predicted.”

I sighed. “That's all for now, you can leave.”

After Alex left, I was alone with my thoughts again. It felt like everything was going out of hand. I needed to find out Ryan's plan, and I needed to do that fast. I needed to be smart and focused. I couldn't afford any loses, not after all I had been through.

My family's happy faces flashed through my mind. I had to do this for them. Their spirits would never rest until the whole Banks family is six feet under, and I would stop at nothing to achieve that.

The next morning when I woke up, Natalie was still locked in. For how long was she going to keep up that attitude? I quickly texted Alex not to forget the bags we talked about.

After the lonely breakfast, I went to work. The employees bowed their heads as I walked past them.

Imagine the shock on my face when I saw Sebastian in my office, he was even seated on my chair.

Immediately he saw me walk in, he stood up with a warm smile on his face. “Good morning, CEO.” He smirked at me.

My facial expression didn't change. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Well, I came to formally congratulate you on your victory.” He smiled, revealing his vampire-like teeth at me again.

“Yeah, you've done that. You can leave now.” I frowned.

“Lucien Voss. I admire you,you did play your cards well.” He chuckled.

I frowned at him. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Enjoy your victory Lucien, while it lasts.” He grinned again.

While it lasts, what did he mean by that?

He brushed past me and Alex as he walked out of the room. The office walls felt like it was closing in on me. I walked over to the table and sat on the swivel chair.

In anger, I slammed my fists on the table. How dare he?! What gave him the guts to talk to me like that!

I sighed, then took a deep breath. I couldn't let him get to me. I raised my head, determination evident in my eyes.

“I want you to keep an eye on Sebastian,” I said. “Every call. Every move. I don’t trust him.”

“I already started,” Alex said. “I’ll send you updates by tonight.”

My head was full.

Leon was still in a coma. Ryan was hiding something. Selene wanted me. Natalie hated me. Sebastian wanted my position.

And in the middle of it all, I couldn’t even figure out who I was anymore.

I reached into my desk and pulled out an old picture. It was one of the few things I had left from my past. Me, my sister, and my parents. Before the fire. Before everything turned dark.

I stared at it for a long time.