Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: 

ELENA'S POV 

It all felt like a nightmare, one that I couldn't wake up from. Everything had turned against me and I felt so alone. Damien had sent me out of the house and I had nowhere else to go.

How did he expect me to find evidence in one week? How was I supposed to find it on the damn streets? How could he be so harsh towards me? 

I paced in front of the house as I tried to think of ways to appease Damien but nothing was working. I knew it was my fault for being so impulsive but I was still his wife!

I had nowhere to go, so I decided to head over to the company. He can't send me out of there, right? If I'm gonna find more evidence, I need all the help I can get… right?

I boarded a cab that took me back to the company and when I walked to his office, I found it locked tight. I walked over to mine as well and to my shock, it was locked as well.

What the hell?

Just then, Carl appeared beside me, an apologetic look on his face as he bowed his head slightly and let out a sigh.

“Ma'am, the CEO had ordered that his office and yours be locked until he returned to the office. It seems like he found out about the incident with the company's shares.” He said and I sighed in frustration as I ran a hand through my hair.

He was going to be this ruthless? Fine. I'll just do my own research on my own. Luckily I still had his card with me-

Hold on, what if he stopped the card from working as well?

“Carl, I need you to do something for me. Get me a spare laptop, a big book, and a pen. It's very urgent.” I said to him and he nodded quickly as he disappeared into the corner while a sigh escaped my lips for the millionth time that day.

I never thought something like this would happen, I should have been more prepared. Rather, I should have told him about it. Now, my surprise has backfired and slapped me hard in the face.

Cark returned in a few minutes with a bag containing everything I had requested of him.

“Thanks, Carl. I owe you.” I said to him and he bowed in respect as I left the office and boarded another cab that took me to a nearby cheap hotel.

I used the card and to my relief, it worked. I knew that he could get angry anytime and freeze the card, so after booking a room for a week, I went to the bank to transfer some amount of money from the card to my bank account.

After making sure that I was financially alright, I returned to the hotel and immediately got to work. I took out the book and pen, placing them beside me before bringing out the laptop and logging into it.

I had no idea where to start or what to search for, but I knew I had to do something, or else Damien would send me back to prison. That was a threat I knew that he would do anything to fulfill.

I typed in Lucas Vance on the search bar and images of him immediately flooded the laptop's screen. He was a very handsome man and he seemed more friendly than Damien.

Why, then, would Adrian and Charlotte kill him? What connection did he have with them?

I started to jot down all my questions in the book before returning my attention to the screen. My pictures were all over the internet, naming me as the killer of this man and I couldn't avoid the pain that took over me.

I was clearly framed for this, how could a light girl like me kill such a muscular man? Why was everyone stupid and blind?

I researched about his business and I realized that Damien had taken over it after he passed out. A crazy thought dropped into my mind and my eyes widened at the wild thought.

What if Damien had known that I was not the killer but decided to wait ten years to get me out so that he could get everything Lucas had without looking suspicious? What if Damien played a part in Lucas' death?

I immediately shook my head to disperse that thought as I sucked in a sharp breath. That made no sense, Damien loved Lucas with everything he had. It was only normal that he took over his company to keep it from falling apart.

Before I knew it, the day had ended and dinner was brought into my room. I had no appetite to eat, though, and I kept picking at the food while my attention was on the screen.

I was missing something. None of the thoughts were connecting anymore.

I remembered Adrian and Charlotte telling me that I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. They had planned his death together, which means they had targeted him from the beginning and simply used me as a cover-up.

I had to return to that hotel… there was a possibility that I would get an answer to my questions but how would I get the footage of ten years ago?

My memories from ten years ago were vague and I only remembered getting drunk with Adrian that night. I had no idea how I walked into the hotel or how I even ended up in that room.

My head suddenly started to hurt and I grimaced at the pain that it sent through my body. I should probably rest but I only had a week to prove myself to Damien. I didn't want to be sent back to prison, and, most importantly… I didn't want to stop being his wife.

Well, mostly for the benefits… nothing else.

My eyes were hurting from staring at the screen all day, so I snapped the laptop shut, charged it, and then laid on the bed. I had to visit the hotel where the murder incident happened ten years ago.

I was very sure that I would find a lead or something that would help me remember details that weren't connecting in my head.

For now… I had to sleep. I'll find out the truth soon.