Blackmailing His Runaway Bride by Dance-is-me (free biff chip and kipper ebooks .txt) 📕

It still bothered Charles that Miss Kane would stupidly act the way she did.

Before Isabella came into the picture, his secretary always had the chance to seduce him if she wished to but she did nothing but drop hints. And, he had acted blindly to everything because of his principles.

So, why? Why would she, at that moment, take such a crazy step?

Charles could not help but eventually link it all to his mother. And, if his suspicion was right, then, he was nothing but disappointed in the woman who gave birth to him.

The almost empty cup in his hold soon became a medium for instigating more thoughts. As the tip of his index finger played around the rim, he felt a light tap on his shoulder and the surrounding hustle and bustle of the day reached his ears once again.

"Richard," he acknowledged the man with the athletic build who walked to the seat opposite him and warmed the cushioned chair with his stylish clothing.

"Why did you seem so deep in thought? Did something happen?"

Charles almost smiled. Richard never failed to read his emotions and mood right. It was one of the reasons they were still friends. Charles had a thing for attentive people and good observers.

"Well, you could say so," said Charles.

Richard's eyes crinkled as he narrowed them. "I doubt you want to talk about it."

Charles let out a gust of air and sat straighter. "What have you got there?" he asked, his eyes trained on the small paper in Richard's hands.

"Oh." His blueish eyes widened. "It is something you won't believe."

The conversation instantly took a different route.

"And, what is that?" In response to Charles's question, the envelope was pushed toward him. Soon, his hand was dragging out the contents. The pictures that ended up in Charles's grasp soon caused him to wear a deep scowl as he said with disbelief, "This is my mother and..."

"Gabriel," Richard completed the statement, his head doing a little dance. "I know. It is crazy. Augustus happened to be in the restaurant at that time and he had to take a picture of their unexpected meeting."

Perplexity persisted on Charles' face and he dropped the captured images on the round table between them. "But... why? Why would my mother meet with Manifold?"

"That might remain a mystery, Charles."

Charles then had to wonder what lengths his mother would go to because she wanted Isabella away from him.

But then... approaching Gabriel of all people... That was just dangerous and foolish.

"Do you think she offered him money to do something terrible?" Charles resumed their talk, his right Chelsea boot kicking against the round leg of the table.

"Your mother would go that far?" Even Richard felt it was quite absurd.

Charles's head tilted to the side as his thoughts abounded. His eyes were narrowed as well.

"I guess we'll never know until something crazy follows this meeting they had. Till then..." His eyes met Richard's. "Please contact Augustus and have him prepare adequate security for Isabella."

Eyes traveling to a distance, he said, almost to himself, "I am afraid they want to hurt her."

~

After what seemed like an entire year of waiting, the twenty-seventh finally arrived and Isabella was still as nervous as ever.

With witnesses giving their testimonies that day, she was aware that a lot more flashbacks and emotions she was scared of would come rushing back.

But then, she had no choice but to brace herself. Certainly, it wouldn't be terrible to keep thinking of the hearing as a battlefield. So, ultimately, her divorce was a war she had to win no matter what.

As her mind formed analogies, Isabella could not help but briefly wonder who Gabriel's witness would be.

From where she stood, Isabella could see Caleb and her doctor who sat side by side discussing something. According to Mr. Richard's advice, she was not to have any form of contact with the witnesses, so she just smiled appreciatively at them even though they couldn't see her.

"Isabella?" Mr. Richard called her out of her thoughts.

As Isabella's eyes caught the petite figure of her neighbour, Mrs. Rosafield, she sighed. Isabella hardly knew the woman, but since she was there to report everything her ears probably caught from her kitchen window, the older lady also had to be appreciated.

"Yes?" Isabella replied to her lawyer.

"It's time to go in." The attorney pointed toward the path they were to take.

Charles, whose gaze had focused on Isabella as she delved into matters in her head gave her a short nod and she reached to hug him. That lengthy touch was what Isabella considered to be her good luck charm.

As Charles's fingers ran through her hair which she purposely let down, Isabella felt some kind of relief.

"It will all be fine," was all he said before he dissolved his embrace and slightly nudged her toward Mr. Richard.

"Are you ready?" her lawyer asked as they made for the assigned room.

Isabella nodded, her eyes finally meeting Caleb's who gave her a look full of encouragement.

On getting to the room, they met Gabriel and his attorney on seat. Isabella, who didn't wish to set sight on Gabriel Manifold, resisted the urge to glare at him.

"Hello, Isabella," Gabriel greeted quite sinisterly, his repulsing face wearing a different kind of pride. Ignoring him, she took her seat next to Attorney Richard. "Don't ignore me so much Isabella, you will soon be by my side once again," the man said, trying to provoke her.

Isabella swore inwardly and prayed for the Judge to arrive.

And, the woman did. But this time, with two suited men and the lady clerk who accompanied her the last time.

After paying their respect, they all had their seat and the hearing began.

"Good day, ladies and gentlemen. I trust we had no troubles during the wait." The judge's sunken eyes darted through the room as though she was trying to fish out some secrets that could be recklessly lying around. "I will be joined by two of my colleagues today, so like last time, let's all be civil and go about this hearing as calmly as possible."