"Welcome back, ma'am." The bulter greeted.
Hannah handed him her coat before raising a brow.
With her brow raised, she asked.
"Where is Jolly?"
Michael, the bulter, shifted uneasily and pointed down the hallway.
Hannah sighed and walked towards the stairs.
She left the country for a month and now this. Her heels clicked on the marble floor as she made her way to the end of the hallway.
Jolly's door was left open. Hannah straightened her blouse.
"Mum, I made this."
Emeralde's voice was heard as she approached the door.
"Max, look at this? She made herself useful." Jolly mocked.
A bowl shattered
"Mom!"
"Jolly!"
Hannah's jaw tightened when she saw Emeralde covered in soup. She scoffed before entering the room.
Without hesitation, she pulled Emeralde behind her.
"Aunty -"
"You piece of trash." Hannah snapped at Jolly. "I knew you were vicious, but not this vicious to treat your daughter this way."
"Aunty, it's not what it looks like," Emeralde whispered
"This isn't about you, Emeralde," Hannah's voice softened slightly before hardening again"Go take a shower."
- Greyson's House
"Has Emy called back?" Larrissa asked
Greyson sighed and threw his head back.
"She hasn't."
He stared at the black screen. Should he call her again? It's been a week since the incident.
-UK
Avery received the files which Joshua had sent to her.
"What are you hiding, Albert?" Avery murmured as she scrolled through the files.
The files were filled with past and recent contracts, illegal dealings, trafficking routes, and drug operations.
" Time to put you in jail, Edison."
A file caught her eye.
She clicked on it.
Her posture stiffened.
"Surprise me."
Alexander Gibson.
Silence filled the room.
Avery's eyes narrowed as she reread the name.
What was his name doing in Albert's files?
She opened it quickly.
Security override logs.
Private payments.
Clearance approvals.
All connected to one person.
Alex.
She pushed her chair back and got out of her seat.
This can't be true, right?
How the fuck is her husband in Albert's file?
She rushed to the coffee table and picked up her phone.
_ Fresh Greens
"Hello?"
"Alex."
"Babe,"
"Don't babe me, you piece of shit."
Alex raised his brow.
What was going on? Did Ben tell her?
He couldn't tell if he wanted to live.
"What happened?" Alex asked
"Why is your name in Albert's files?"
Alex shifted in his seat as he pulled his collar for air.
"I'm waiting, Alex."
He cleared his throat.
"I-I can explain."
"I don't need you to explain anything. I need answers."
"I- It wasn't anything important. You don't need to think about it, babe."
Avery scoffed at the other side. He wasn't ready to tell her.
"When you're ready to speak, call this number."
"Avery. Babe."
Alex pulled the phone from his ear; his jaw ticked. He stared at the black screen and tightened his grip around it.
"What happened?" Stefan asked
Alex took in a shaky breath and exhaled sharply.
"I screw up again."
Fuck
He kicked the coffee table in front of him.