Chapter 119 The Warning
DAVID
The air in the room was thick with tension, each of us lost in the unspoken questions that hung between us. Bella fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve, her eyes darting toward the drawing on the table. Janet’s hands rested in her lap, clenched tightly enough to turn her knuckles white. I leaned forward, breaking the silence.
“Bella,” I said, my voice low but firm, “we need to visit your dad. He might know more about this man.” I tapped the drawing for emphasis, my gaze locked on hers.
Her hesitation was brief, but it didn’t go unnoticed. “Maybe later,” she said softly, her words almost drowned out by the ticking of the clock on the wall.
I nodded, leaning back in my chair and pulling out my phone. A notification flashed on the screen an unread message from Elowen to, Western. I swiped it open, and my brow furrowed as I read:
I think Mrs. Williams has figured out the truth about Bella’s pendant. Do you think you’re still safe, Father?
My jaw tightened. A second message arrived almost immediately:
If it comes down to it, I’ll have to kill her. I thought she died that night I didn’t know she was still alive. If I die or if Mrs. Williams finds out who Bella is, your career is over, daughter.
I stared at the words, their weight settling heavily on my chest. So, it was true. Bella’s connection to Mrs. Williams ran deeper than she realized. A grim smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I slipped the phone back into my pocket.
Across the room, Bella and Janet were watching me closely. Bella’s brows knitted together, confusion flashing in her dark eyes. Janet tilted her head, waiting for me to speak.
“I need to visit Mrs. Williams’ office,” I said abruptly, rising from my chair.
Neither of them questioned me; they simply nodded. I grabbed my coat and strode out, my mind racing.
The drive to the Williams Group was uneventful, but my thoughts churned. By the time we arrived, I’d already decided on my approach. I stepped out of the car, buttoning my coat as I entered the sleek, glass-covered building.
Mrs. Williams’ secretary looked up from her desk, her face lighting with recognition. “Sir,” she said with a polite bow, “Mrs. Williams isn’t available at the moment. She’s in a meeting.”
“That’s fine,” I replied smoothly. “Is Mr. Western here?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, rising quickly. “I’ll take you to his office.”
She led me to the elevator, and we rode in silence to the fifth floor. The doors slid open with a soft chime, and we walked down a long corridor until we reached a set of dark, mahogany double doors. She knocked once before stepping aside, gesturing for me to enter.
Inside, Western sat behind a massive desk, his head bent over a stack of papers. At the sight of me, his face twisted into a scowl.
“What are you doing here, David?” he spat, his voice low and venomous.
I smirked, sauntering to the chair opposite him and sitting down. “Is that how you greet one of the largest shareholders in the Williams Group?” I asked, crossing my legs and leaning back casually.
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t have time for games. Why are you here?”
I leaned forward, my gaze locking with his. “You know I don’t waste time, so let’s get straight to the point I’m married.”
He blinked, caught off guard. “And how is that my concern?” he asked, his tone sharp. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because my wife is Bella,” I said slowly, savoring the way his expression shifted from confusion to shock. “You know her, don’t you? Your daughter’s best friend.”
His reaction was everything I’d hoped for. The color drained from his face, and for a moment, he looked like a man caught in a trap.
“What are you getting at?” he demanded, though his voice wavered.
I stood, towering over him. “Do you know the phrase ‘an eye for an eye’?” I asked, my tone cold and deliberate.
He didn’t respond, but I saw the flicker of fear in his eyes.
I turned to leave, pausing at the door. “Don’t make me send you another gift like the one I sent many years ago. Consider this your only warning, Western.”
I walked out without another glance, the sound of my footsteps echoing down the corridor. The message was clear. If he dared to harm Bella, I would destroy him and take Elowen down with him.