Chapter 169 Declaration Of War
“They say they are burglars but to invade this specific floor with the strongest security. It was no theft. They were sent to scare you guys.” The officer explained.
They took the guys away and now the security of the apartment was presented for their incompetency.
“Judging by the way, your security turned a blind eye to this. They are subjected to an investigation.” He continued, darting a threatening glare towards the security that was looking down in apprehension.
“We are innocent, we swear. The security lines of th-their floor were cut off. We didn’t receive an-any notification or movement. W-We swear.” They tried to justify but the officer’s strict glare silenced them.
“This is for me to decide. Take them away. All of them are subjected to a thorough investigation.” The security was also taken away while the rest of the team was checking the security footage and connection.
Since William was a high profile figure, utter protection was their priority.
“Mr. Grayson, do you have any idea who it could be? A business rival? An enemy from the past?”
“I have a lot. I-I can’t remember which for now.” William swallowed hard, refusing to unshackle his tongue.
“I see. It’s alright. Make a list. We will go through all of them.” He nodded, motioning to two of his men.
“Two of my men will be stationed at your executive floor too in case someone dares to interfere again.”
“Okay, Officer. Thank you.”
After the formalities with the officer, William returned with heavy steps and a distressed mind.
Inside the house, after the cops left, the air was hefty, suffocating. William contemplated the damage, the pieces of woods everywhere, the shattered glass and thrown furniture.
Usually, he would clear the mess but he left it be, a temporary reminder of a world that had turned predatory.
He found Arabella in the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed. She had changed into a soft sweater, but she was shivering, staring into nothingness.
William sat beside her, his hands finally dropping their guard and beginning to shake. She could feel her heart refusing to go back to the normal pace, the incident left a highly negative impact on her mind.
"...I didn't think she would go this far so fast," he started weakly, sitting beside her.
“Why didn’t you tell the cops?”
“If I had. Things would get… messy. I couldn’t risk it.” Her hand slowly extended, resting on his, giving it a firm squeeze.
“Why, William?”
He hesitated at first, finding it extremely hard to express his feeling but when he saw the woman he almost lost, his body relaxed.
“Because my sins are connected to hers. One wrong move and I… I will lose it all.”
Her gaze softened. Resting her head on his shoulder, she kept him secured, tracing her index finger on the line of his palm.
Arabella didn't say a word further. She simply lifted and placed it against her cheek. The warmth of her skin was the only thing grounding him.
For hours, they didn't speak of the "sin," or the money, or the threats. They simply existed in the circle light by the bedside lamp, a silent pact of survival.
William watched her until she finally drifted into a fitful sleep, her hand still locked in his.
But William didn't sleep. He sat in the dark, staring at the wall, his mind sharpening, converted into pure wrath.
If Liyah wanted to see his terror, he would make sure she does through it as well.
The next morning, William didn't wait for a phone call or a mockery from Liyah. He went straight to the one place Liyah felt untouchable: The Heritage Foundation Board Meeting.
Liyah was at the head of the table, surrounded by the city’s elite, playing the role of the grieving, dignified matriarch.
When William walked in, the room went silent. William was the one who gave that to her after all.
"William," Liyah said, her voice dripping with mock concern. "You look tired. Perhaps you should take a leave of absence."
William didn't flinch. He walked to the center of the room and tossed a thick folder onto the mahogany table. It slid across the polished surface, stopping right in front of her.
"I’m not here for a leave, Liyah. I’m here to discuss the termination of your foundation. Your funds from the Grayson Enterprises have been cut off." William declared, earning a series of gasps and astonishment.
William, who had always bowed, now stood rebellious with a newly found courage he intended to murder. He submitted for his sibling before. He roared for his bride today.
To complete his oath of being a protector as her husband and the man.
Liyah’s face turned pale, going through the papers in dread, "You.. you wouldn't dare, William."
"I would.” William enunciated, stepping closer, asserting his dominance in the air.
“Every cent you moved to cover your personal debts over the last five years are to be reclaimed. The board might find it interesting that the 'family name' you protect so fiercely is currently running under my power."
The murmurs among the board members rose, they gave Liyah a disappointed look. William leaned down, whispering so only she could hear:
"The tires were a nice touch. But, the door was a mistake. A terrible one, Liyah. And bad ones pay for their mischiefs."
A dark smirk spread across his lips, raising his brows challengingly, “Isn’t this what you have always taught me, hmm?”
He turned and walked out, leaving Liyah gasping for air in the wreckage of her reputation as the meeting was dismissed with Liyah losing her members.
The second she was alone, she was fuming while Cooper watched her.
“I have told you, William is no longer a boy, Liyah. He is a man whose power is boosted by the woman beside him.”
She swept the folder off the table, her eyes wild with a feral, cornered rage.
"He thinks he won?" she hissed, her voice cracking as she looked at the empty seats and her lawyer, Cooper, who stood in the corner.
"He thinks he can use numbers against me?"
She grabbed her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed a number she hadn't touched in years.
"Liyah, don't," Cooper warned, stepping forward.
"If you do this, there is no going back. You'll destroy him, you will ruin the kid! Have some compassion, they are your own blood."
"The legacy died with my brother!" she shrieked, her face contorted.
"He wants to be a hero for that girl? He wants to be a man of integrity? Let’s see how much she loves him when she finds out what he did that night."
She turned to her assistant, her voice dropping to a steady coldness.
"Prepare the files. The police reports, the witness statements we paid to disappear, the photos from the scene. Everything."
A cruel smile returned to her lips.
"I’m going to make sure the whole world sees the blood on his hands. It’s time Arabella knows exactly who she’s sleeping next to."