Chapter 95 A Sinking Ship

Chapter 95 A Sinking Ship
Everyone looked at Ariadne, including Crystal. Her eyes widened with surprise as well. She looked around to see the entire family, including Xander. She glared at them.

"Don't try anything funny." Xander warned her as he approached the scene. 

He stood in front of Ariadne, protectively.

"OMG. It's Crystal Miller." Someone in the crowd recognized her. 

Everyone murmured as they looked at her in disgust.

"So she has started stealing clothes now." Another person said. 

Crystal noticed the hateful stare directed at her. She clenched her jaw. It had been almost a month since she and Emma were kicked out of the Miller Residence. Aaron left them some money, but they would only provide them with what they need. They no longer enjoyed upper-class lifestyles. They couldn't even afford an expensive dress. So, when she saw an expensive dress, she decided to steal it because she didn't have the money to purchase it. But she was caught by the staff. Worst of all, she met with Ariadne and Xander.

"You might be delighted to see me like this." she said through gritted teeth. 

Ariadne felt sorry for her. She no longer looked graceful. She appeared to be in poor health. However, she became terrified when she noticed the hatred in her eyes.

"I'll get my revenge. Enjoy your time while you can."

"Guards, kick her out of the mall." Xander said out loud. 

He didn't want to watch her drama. The guards approached and dragged her out. Crystal frantically threw her hands up in an attempt to free herself. She also cursed at Ariadne. As the guards disappeared with her, Ariadne saw the scene with horror in her eyes.

"She's just venting her frustration. She can't do anything. Don't worry." Xander assured her, putting his hand on Ariadne's shoulder.

She nodded, but the nagging feeling remained. They left the mall soon after that. 

...... 

"Wait here. Boss will arrive." 

Crystal sat on the couch, looking around. After a while, Zidane entered the room.

"Zidane." she exclaimed with excitement as she stood up.

"Hello, Crystal. It's nice to see you again."

He approached her and gave her a tight hug.

"You left without informing me."

"I had some important work to do."

"Oh."

They released the hug and sat on the couch.

"So tell me what you have got to say." he pulled out his phone and looked at it.

Crystal hesitated for a moment. "Zidane.... I'm pregnant." 

"Oh.." he simply shrugged. There were no reaction.

"It's your child." Crystal added after a while, when he remained silent, staring at his phone. She looked at him expectantly. 

"Oh really?... wow." he said, looking at her.

Crystal smiled. However, her smile faded when he didn't say anything else and returned his attention to his phone.

She frowned at his reaction. However, she was not going to give up.

"Let's get married." she got straight to the point.

Zidane looked at her, confused. "Why?"

"For the child, of course. Do you want your child to be called a bastard?" Crystal explained.

She expected him to agree. However, the next thing Zidane did was burst out laughing. 

Crystal frowned at him. "Why are you laughing?" 

"Oh... Crystal. I like you. You're a smart woman. But I'm not Xander Blake."

"What do you mean?"

He sighed and placed his phone on the couch.

"I can't marry you, Crystal." he said, leaning into the sofa.

"What? Why? It's your child."

"Look. Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean I've to marry you. I've slept with a lot of women. We enjoy it, then move on. That's how it goes."

"But what about the child?" she asked with a serious expression.

"Abort it." Zidane said casually.

"You!" Crystal became enraged.

"Oh, common. You, too, have slept with numerous men. Don't play the victim here. Just abort the baby. And if you want, you can keep it. But let me tell you something." Zidane leaned forward towards her.

"I already have a bastard child. So, if you gave birth to the child, raise it yourself."

Crystal gasped as she heard that.

"You used me."

"No, no, no. You came to me on your own, remember. And, to be honest, I would have considered marrying you because you would have been an excellent partner... but you have been reduced to a nobody. I can't marry a nobody."

"You took advantage of my situation. But my time will come." Crystal said, gritting her teeth.

"Oh Crystal. Don't you understand? Your time is up. You're a sinking ship right now."

"I've never seen such a mean person like you." Crystal spat while standing up.

"Huh, don't you have a mirror in your house?" he began laughing.

Then he paused, got up, and moved closer to her. "Crystal... Accept the reality. You're no longer the CEO of a company or the fiancee of the richest person in the country. But we can still work together. You will have no problems because I'll provide you with everything. Just do as I say."

"Will you keep me as one of your mistresses?" Crystal asked. Her face turned red with rage and hurt.

"This's all you can get right now. No offense, but it's the reality."

Crystal stormed out of Zidane's apartment, furious. He was her last hope for recovery. But she wasn't aware of his true nature. Only now did she realize the gravity of her situation.

......... 

"Are you both together now?" Gloria asked, sipping her coffee.

Ariadne shook her head. "No. We're simply coping with one another for the sake of the kids. They need both of their parents. If they see us hating each other, it will have a negative effect on them."

Gloria had contacted Ariadne and wanted to see her and the kids. As it was weekend, Ariadne invited her to the old mansion. The kids were overjoyed to see Gloria. They asked her about Oindrila as well. The two women sat down to talk after the kids had gone to play in the garden.

"Good. Perhaps in the future, you can forget the past and..."

"It's complicated, Gloria. Let's not talk about that." Ariadne cut her off.

"Oh.. okay."

"How are things going at work?" Ariadne asked, changing the subject.

"It's good." Gloria cleared her throat. "I heard what happened between you and Zidane. I can't afford to lose my job right now. I've also planned to leave the company when I find a better job."

"You don't have to do that. If you're comfortable in Watson Group, then stay there. You have your mother and daughter with you."

"Aria, you're so understanding. I'll miss you. Heck, I already miss you a lot."

"Same here." Ariadne smiled at her.

At that moment, Xander and Jose entered the living room, drawing their attention to them. Xander approached them when he saw Gloria.

Ariadne and Gloria stood up.

"Xander, this's Gloria, my friend. She's one of the lead designers at Watson Group. We were colleagues." Ariadne introduced her.

"Hello Mr. Blake. It's a pleasure to meet you." Gloria said, extending her hand.

"Hello." Xander said, shaking her hand.

"What are you doing in Zavion city?" he asked.

"I've come to manage the company for the time being. After Ariadne left, the pressure was on us." she replied with a smile.

"Oh."

"I should leave now, Aria. I'll see you again."

"Sure." Ariadne said.

"I'm not getting a good vibe from her. Don't trust her." Xander said as soon as Gloria walked out of the house.

"She's a humble woman. Her daughter is Autumn's best friend." Ariadne said. 

She knew Xander was worried about their safety. Gloria was Zidane's employee, so he wouldn't trust her.

"So, she's married."

"No. She's a single mother.'

Xander frowned. "Who's the father?"

"I don't know. She said he was from her school.. You're thinking too much. She's a good woman." she dismissed the subject.

She turned around to head inside. 

"Aria." Xander called, causing her to stop in her tracks and turn around. 

"Yes?"

"Umm... The triplets' birthday is in a few days. I'm not sure what I should give them. Can you help me?" he asked hesitantly.

"Oh. Don't worry about it. They will like whatever you give them. But I'll still help you." she replied with a smile and went inside.

Xander sighed, while Jose shook his head. He actually had something else to say. The next day, Ariadne and Mark would travel outside of the city to visit a client. And it would be the time Mark intended to propose to her. He wanted to stop her from leaving, but he had no idea how.

Xander stayed at the mansion that night. He couldn't sleep as he kept thinking about the next day. 

. 

Next morning, Mark arrived early to pick up Ariadne. Xander was drinking his morning coffee in the open. Mark greeted him and spoke for a moment with him. It wasn't long before Ariadne came out of the mansion, and they left together. Xander remained seated, agitated.

After a while, Jose came, holding his phone. 

"Boss, you need to see this." he held his phone in front of Xander.

Xander frowned and looked at the screen. It was a news headline.

"Zidane Watson has a bastard daughter. An anonymous source revealed the truth about the businessman."

"What?" Xander sat up straight after reading the headline.

"Someone revealed this in the morning. Zidane's officials have stated that it's fake news." Jose stated.

"No. It's not." Xander shook his head. 

His thoughts went back to Gloria. He narrowed his eyes. 

"Learn everything you can about that woman, Gloria."

"Do you think she was the one who revealed this?" Jose asked.

"No. But I've my doubts that her daughter is Zidane's illegitimate child. That woman appeared suspicious to me."

....

Crystal was walking down the street alone. It was evening, and the road was deserted. It wasn't a safe neighbourhood as it was located far away from the city center. Poor and middle-class people lived here. They chose this location to hide from the public eye.

Suddenly, a car arrived, and two masked men emerged. Crystal gasped as they approached her and began to run. However, the men were faster. They grabbed her and sprayed something onto her face. She passed out. The two men put her in the car, and it drove away.

When Crystal opened her eyes she found herself tied to a chair in a dimly lit room. She tried to free herself, but it was futile. Then she noticed movement in the dark corner. There was a man standing there. He walked slowly forward, allowing the light to fall on his face.

Crystal swallowed when she saw his face.

"Zidane?"

"Hello Crystal. I believe you know why you're here." he said with a smirk.