Raymond, George and Julie was summoned again for the second time by their boss. She wanted to give clear instructions on what she had mentioned earlier about Julie new task.
Whilst in there, Raymond didn’t lose his cool when he found out Julie would have to move for her job. Inside, he was hurting, but on the outside, he kept himself composed.
He couldn’t let anyone, especially their boss, suspect anything was going on between him and Julie. No matter how upset he was, he had to act like everything was fine.
Their boss’s voice broke the tension in the room. “Julie, once you arrive in Fremantle City, you’ll start investigating Steve Darlene’s case, okay?” She directed the question to Julie, and the room instantly fell silent.
Even George was stunned by the announcement.
Everyone knew Steve Darlene’s name, but no one had ever met him. Julie going to another city to investigate him was a surprise to all.
Julie hesitated for a second, her voice shaking as she replied, “But no one has ever seen him, ma’am. No one knows what he looks like. He’s kept himself hidden for years.”
Their boss gave her a firm look. “That’s exactly why I’m entrusting this task to you, Julie. You’re the most suited for this kind of mission.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do my best,” Julie said, her voice still a bit shaky. She didn’t want to argue with their boss. The best thing she could do now was follow orders and hope she could get the job done.
George couldn’t help but glance over at Raymond, expecting him to say something, to maybe stop Julie from going. But Raymond kept quiet, avoiding Julie’s gaze entirely.
George didn’t like it. He was searching for some kind of clue about what was going on between them, but Raymond’s cold demeanor didn’t give anything away.
Raymond continued to act like he and Julie were nothing more than coworkers. George wanted proof, but Raymond wasn’t giving him any.
Their boss spoke again, “Everything you need for the trip has been prepared, Julie. Just make sure you do a great job, alright?”
Julie nodded, “Of course, ma’am.”
Before anyone could say more, a security guard rushed into the room, nearly out of breath. “Ma’am! Alpha Darwin has woken up from his coma!” he shouted, startling everyone.
Joy immediately spread across the room. Everyone had been hoping for Alpha Darwin’s recovery, especially their boss, who had been in a foul mood ever since Alpha Darwin had been taken to their hideout, injured and unconscious.
Her mood had affected everyone, so hearing that Alpha Darwin was awake lifted everyone’s spirits.
Raymond was the first to react, standing up so fast he nearly knocked over his chair. “Where is he?” he asked the guard eagerly.
“He’s still in his room, sir. The doctor’s with him right now,” the guard replied with confidence.
Their boss didn’t waste a second. She stood up and headed for the door, not even hiding her urgency. The rest of the group followed her as she made her way towards Alpha Darwin’s room.
Despite the news, their boss kept her usual stern expression as she walked, though everyone knew she was relieved. Alpha Darwin’s recovery was exactly what she had been waiting for.
After a few minutes, they reached the room. Two nurses stood at the door, bowing their heads in respect as the boss passed. Inside, they found Alpha Darwin sitting up in bed, looking confused.
The doctor stood beside him, asking him questions, but Alpha Darwin’s dazed expression showed he wasn’t fully aware of what was happening.
When the doctor noticed their boss, he bowed respectfully and stepped aside, allowing her to approach Alpha Darwin. As soon as Alpha Darwin saw her, his eyes widened in shock. He stared at her, as if he were seeing a ghost.
“Everyone, leave us,” she ordered. Without hesitation, the room emptied, leaving her alone with Alpha Darwin.
His hands trembled as he pointed at her. “Melissa? You’re alive? How… how is this possible?” His voice was shaky, filled with disbelief.
Melissa smiled softly, taking a seat beside him. “Yes, it’s me,” she said, her tone warm but calm. “I’m surprised you still recognize me after all these years.”
Alpha Darwin shook his head, still stunned. “How… how did you survive? And why didn’t you come back for our child? All this time, I thought you were dead.”
Melissa took his hands gently in hers. “I wanted to come back. Believe me, I did. But I had to disappear to stay alive. If I returned, I knew they would kill me.” Her voice broke slightly as she spoke, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Who? Who wanted you dead?” Alpha Darwin’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I thought… I thought it was just an accident. What are you saying?”
Melissa took a deep breath, her grip tightening on his hands.
“It wasn’t an accident, Darwin. Someone close to us planned the whole thing. He wanted to have an affair with me, but when I refused, he sabotaged the car. He tried to kill me after I found out his secret about you.”
Alpha Darwin’s eyes widened even further, shock and confusion clouding his face. “I… I don’t understand. Who would want to kill you? Who would do such a thing?”
Melissa looked into his eyes, her expression filled with sadness and pain. “It was Jethro. Your best friend. He’s the one who wanted me dead.”
The room seemed to freeze. Alpha Darwin’s heart raced as the weight of her words sank in. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Jethro? His closest companion? The man he had trusted with everything, even made godfather to his daughters?
“No… no, that can’t be true,” Alpha Darwin stammered, his voice barely audible. “Jethro? He’s… he’s been my friend for years. Why would he…?”
Melissa shook her head sadly. “I didn’t want to believe it either. But it’s true. He’s been hiding his intentions all along.”
Alpha Darwin’s world spun around him. He had trusted Jethro with his life, never suspecting that the man he called his brother was the one behind it all. How could he have been so blind?
“He betrayed you, Darwin,” Melissa whispered, her voice heavy with sorrow. “And he almost took me away from you forever.”