Chapter 42 A Resounding Slap!
Chapter Forty-Two
Zach arched his eyebrow at that statement, a pleased smile stretching his face.
“Fair enough,” he uttered, “How do we go about it?”
Lucian looked at him, and Zach continued speaking, pacing back and forth in deep thought.
“We know that he’s responsible for the accident, and we know what he did to you,” he stopped, looking straight into Lucian’s eyes, “But there’s no evidence of that. We only have your testimony.”
Lucian was silent as Zach continued speaking calmly, “No one would believe that you were awake while still in a coma and you heard him plotting against you,” he sighed, “The police would definitely not believe that. There were no recordings either. How do we hit him then?”
There was silence for a few minutes, then Lucian’s eyes lit up.
“We get him for something else.” He said simply, staring at Zach with satisfaction.
“You mean, frame him?” Zach asked, his eyes narrowed as he tried to understand what Lucian was saying, “For what exactly?”
“For anything else that’s just as bad.” Lucian replied, “If we can’t get him for my accident, then I create another one where I can trap him.”
Zach was silent as he thought about this, his thoughts connecting with each other as he brainstormed.
“Let’s not rush into things,” he said calmly after a few minutes, “And who says we can’t get him for your accident?”
Lucian blinked, “But you just said…”
“I said, your testimony won’t be plausible,” Zach uttered, coming to stand beside the bed.
He smiled down at Lucian pleasantly, “But there are other ways to get evidence. The accident happened just three years ago. If we can get the right people on it, we’d have Nathan where you want him in a few weeks,” His voice and expression hardened, “Broken, defeated, out of the Graves Empire. Perhaps in a coma too.”
Lucian grinned at those words, “Well then, let’s get right into it.” He uttered, “Try to keep it under wraps as much as you can. I don’t want anyone getting wind of this.”
Zach cocked his head, “Not even Aria Beaumont.”
Lucian glared at him sharply, “Especially Aria. What if she gets hurt?” He glared at Zach even more darkly, “And it’s Aria Graves to you.”
Zach held up his hand, laughing lightly, “Alright lover boy.” He uttered, “I’ll make sure Aria knows nothing about this.”
He paused and his frown became thoughtful, “Do you still want me looking into Elara Vaughn’s case as well?” He asked, then scratched his head in uncertainty, “Believe me, her death and that of her parents are suspicious as hell. And the investigation is not even going anywhere at the moment.”
“Look into it,” Lucian answered immediately, “Contact our people at the precinct, and give me feedback on what is going on with the case.”
Zach bowed slightly, “Yes sir.” When he straightened up, he patted Lucian’s shoulder, “Do not worry, Lucian. We will get them.”
He was referring to both Nathan and the ones behind Elara’s case.
Lucian’s face remained grim, “Of course, we will.”
A WEEK LATER
THE GRAVES MANSION
The huge sitting room in the south wing of the mansion was decorated beautifully, the room filled with warm glows from the chandeliers overhead.
Well dressed guests milled about the floors, talking, laughing, elegantly sipping their drinks as they enjoyed the party.
It was Chairman Graves sixty-third birthday party, and every well to do and respected person in the city had been invited to grace the occasion.
It had been a while since the public was invited to the abode of the Graves family.
This was because since their eldest son’s accident, there had been nothing like celebration in the estate.
Birthdays passed and significant occasions were kept on a low.
Everyone wondered what made the Graves family change their minds that day, throwing an extravagant birthday party for the Chairman.
“It’s not like their son is awake now.” The guests whispered amongst themselves, “So what are they celebrating?”
“But how are we sure Lucian Graves is in a coma?”
“You silly thing! He has not been seen in society for three years now since the accident. What do you think happened to him?”
“I don’t know. Death?”
“Oh you fool! He is in a coma! Do you think if her eldest son was dead, Madam Graves would go about in such a radiant dress and looking so beautiful?”
Sure enough, Madam Graces was looking very beautiful in her traditional emerald silk gown. The shoulders, sleeves and neck line were embroidered beautifully with gold threads.
Her hair was styled in a fashionable updo, and her smile lit up her face as she walked around greeting guests.
Everyone wondered why she was so radiant, and some of her good friends basked in her glory.
Nathan and Monica stood to the side of the large sitting room, all decked up in expensive dressed but their expression were sour.
They, however, tried to keep a pleasant face as they were surrounded by aristocrats, who wanted to hear the latest gists concerning the Graves household.
Nathan and Monica were not in the mood to keep up small talk. Their moods were soured because they knew what the party was really for.
It was not merely a celebration of Chairman Graves birthday, but also an event to make Lucian step back into society.
It infuriated the hell out of them but they had to play along and entertain the guests.
The guests, in a bid to get closer to them, started becoming more malicious with their questions.
These guests were Selena and some of her friends who were trying to get into Monica’s good graces.
“We heard the Graves family recently took a wife for Lucian Graves!”
“Not only that, I heard she’s extremely dowdy. A total country bumpkin! Hahaha!”
“You’re absolutely right!” Selena chimed in, her voice louder than the rest, “I know this because she’s my own stepsister, unfortunately,”
“Oh what a shame, but I guess it’s fitting, isn’t it?” Another friend’s chortled, “A country bumpkin and a vegetable! Ei! What?! Ahh!”
Everyone stopped, stunned as a loud slap resounded around the hall.
“Twang!”