Even Chris looked at him with surprise. Since that day, he’d refrained from calling Scott his brother. He would usually use words like ‘brat’ or ‘bastard’ but now he’d actually said ‘brother.’
The chauffeur’s anxious words drew his attention back as they all listened attentively. “… The Corp… His condo, most times the club… Mr Ryan’s house…”
“Wait…,” Mia stopped him. “Did you just mention the club? What club?” The chauffeur seemed hesitant to answer this but he eventually said, “Cj’s.”
The four people opposite him were stunned. Just how many details did they kiss about Scott… Why do they feel like they never even knew the real ‘Scott,’?
“That popular downtown strip club?” Ryan asked to confirm and the chauffeur nodded. Unlike the innocence it has, that club is devilish.
“That’s the only place we haven’t checked,” Chris turned to them. “Ryan, release the poor man and let’s leave.” Ryan gave him a hard glare before releasing the man who scampered away like a frightened bunny.
As the door shut with a bang, they stood up to leave. Cj’s club is…
****
“Sister… Mom would really hate it if she catches us snooping around her room like this,” Lena tried to protest as Emily opened yet another drawer in the walk-in closet.
“Shhh… Just help me out. She won’t be arriving home anytime soon though and we would have the chance to rearrange things the way we met them,” Emily tried to hush her.
She wouldn’t have resolved this if Jonas was able to help her but a few weeks have passed and he still doesn’t have any news about the founder of Jones corp.
He claimed that because the man is really resourceful and powerful, he’s managed to seal off all news about him away from the public so that even the reporters are finding it difficult to find any scoop.
“No… Mom will be home early today,” Lena’s words made Emily halt.
“Huh? Why?”
“You remember my friend… The one I mentioned. She’s finally decided to come for a visit today and I already told mom.”
Emily was stunned. “You didn’t even think of informing me! Yikes! What do we do? Like how early will she be home? Damn… Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
“I told you… You must have forgotten and mom will be gone really early. Like really, really early,” Lena made sure to emphasize ‘really’.
“Which of your friends though?” Emily sounded unhappy.
“The one… I mentioned has the same last name as me.” Emily’s eyes twinkled as recognition dawned on her. The same last name again? This can’t be a mere coincidence.
Are they really related or is it just her wishful thinking? She pulled Lena, “Help me… I promise we’d rearrange every single thing before mom arrives.”
Lena still looked reluctant. Their mom’s anger isn’t really the best thing in the world to witness.
“Do you want to find out about your father?” Emily had to ask her and as expected, she nodded hurriedly. “Then help me. There’s got to be something about him somewhere. Mom wouldn’t give birth to two angels for someone she doesn’t love.”
Lena almost chuckled. Did she have to refer to them as angels? She almost told Emily,’ That’s narcissism sister’s but she held herself back and walked forward to assist Emily.
Since asking their mother won’t get them any answers, why not seek answers by themselves then?
***
A huge frown that looked like it wasn’t going to leave soon appeared on Ryan’s face as they walked further into the club. He cringed many times, trying to avoid sweaty bodies.
The music was even worse. Why is the crowd yelling loudly at this stupid, loud music? They’ve got really weird and bad taste.
Mia led them to the bar counter like she’s been there before. Well, it’s expected since she grew up in Singapore and lived half of her early life assisting Jeff with his clubs there.
As soon as they got to the counter, everyone took a seat, trying not to appear suspicious. Chris looked around while others stared at the nearest bartender.
They beckoned on him and he rushed forward. The happy look on his familiar face showed that he’d been able to deduce that they aren’t ordinary customers judging from their expensive-looking clothing.
“Hey… Get us some drinks,” Sam instructed him, dropping a wad of cash and the guy practically drooled. Oh! Now… I remember why he seemed so familiar. It’s that same bartender. Scott’s favourite bartender linked him to Delhi.
Do y’all remember him? He nodded absentmindedly and took down their orders hurriedly. He soon brought the drinks and stretched his hands forward to accept the wad of cash when Sam brought out another hefty wad of cash.
The bartender’s mouth flew open. He looked at Sam. “What do you want, sir?” He’s smart enough to know that the latter wants something for him to be flashing wads of cash in his face.
Sam smirked. The bartender is pretty smart. “We just need to ask you some questions… That’s all,” He stretched his hands to collect a phone from Mia and face it to the bartender.
A picture was displayed on the phone. The bartender frowned slightly when he saw this picture. “Do you know the person in the picture? Look closely… Has he been here? When was the last time he came here?” He practically bombarded the bartender with questions.
There was silence for a while… Well, excluding the noise from the loudspeakers. The bartender looked closely with a frown. They looked at him expectantly when he finally looked up to say something.
But to my greatest surprise, he told them, “No… I don’t know this man and I have never seen him here before.” Aye! Does he know that what Ryan hates the most is lies?
What if Ryan discovers he’s lying? Sam turned to Ryan whose gaze was fixated on the bartender. “He is telling the truth,” Ryan confirmed with a frown. Wait… What!?
Chris suddenly leapt out of his seat. His head snapped around as a foul scent escaped into the air. Ryan smelled this and also jumped down from the bar stool. His eyes flashed with anger.
.
.
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……