A week later, Reiner and I decided to go back home for a short visit with our main objective to discuss our plan with King. To my utmost surprise our meeting with King went by very smoothly. It gave me a feeling that King was satisfied with whatever outcome and his mind wasn’t on this issue at all. I thought back then that it must have been because the orphanage wasn’t truly part of the money-making part of the company’s business.
Regardless of the cause, I was thrilled that King agreed to our proposal. He told us that he was happy that someone from the family wanted to take care of it.
“I wish you good luck because this isn’t an easy job. Plus, I agree on quickly trying to find a way for you to manage things remotely. I can’t have Knight absent from this island for much longer than this,” King told us passionlessly.
A few days later, I found out that King’s reaction to our proposal wasn’t the only shocking thing that was waiting for us back home.
…
**A few days later**
After enjoying a few restful days with Reiner back at home, our peace was disturbed early in the morning. I sat at my usual spot at the dining table while I sniffed at the delicious smell of the breakfast that Reiner was cooking. Returning home had been a blessing for us. For one, Reiner had less work, and I could take a break from my daily tasks and meetings at the orphanage. Although we were not on leave from work, we had more time to relax in each other’s company.
“Do you want some coffee?” Reiner asked as he placed a large plate of breakfast in front of me.
Judging by how much food he had prepared for me; I doubt that I would have room for anything else besides plain water.
“Just water would be great,” I replied with a smile.
Reiner’s homecooked food looked, smelled, and tasted great as always. Being back here did make me feel happier and more restful; however, there was always a sense of worry at the back of my mind. I couldn’t stop worrying about how things were progressing back at the orphanage.
“Eat up, Natalia. Stop frowning and stop worrying about the orphanage. That place isn’t going to burn down simply because you’re not there for a while,” Reiner joked as he sat down opposite from me.
“I know that…it’s just hard not to worry…” I replied with a smile.
“Worrying isn’t going to help. Just get Nick or Kat to give you call to tell you how things are over there,” Reiner suggested helpfully.
“Yeah, I’ll do that…” I replied in agreement.
Suddenly, something on the news caught my attention. Although we didn’t focus our attention on the television, we had it on so that we could passively catch up on some news of what was going on in the world. I never expected to hear news about the Rosenhalls and so early in the morning like this.
“Did they mention the Rosenhalls just now?” I asked as I strained my ear to hear better.
“I think they did…” Reiner replied before he placed down his fork.
“Shit…” I swore softly before jumping up from my seat.
I almost ran to the sofa to get a closer look at what was being reported on the screen. Reiner followed close behind me. Unlike me, he was probably less interested in the news but more worried about me. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that told me that the news being reported wasn’t a good one.
My eyes focused on the television screen as I stood right in front of the large screen with my brows knitted together in a knot. The attractive brunette reporting on the news had a solemn and serious look on her face as she reported on the latest development of a Rosenhall lawsuit.
“Francesca Rosenhall or as commonly known simply as Madame Francesca is being called in by the court as a suspect for many crimes including embezzlement and murder,” the woman reported.
The scene on the screen quickly switched from her to a recording of Madame Francesca dressed head to toe in black being escorted out of her car and into the court building while countless reporters struggled against her bodyguards and other security team members. The scene was so chaotic and loud that I had no idea what the people were saying. Madame Francesca walked with a dignified air and did not spare the reporters a glance.
I covered my mouth with both hands to stop myself from screaming in shock. My head started to throb from stress and suddenly my eyes stung. Although Zak had told me that this day would come eventually and he even told me to watch the news, I wasn’t mentally prepared for this at all. This was the right thing. We were doing the right thing. I told myself that in my head time and time again as I continued watching the news segment covering the court case.
In the end, Zak had stuck to his words of bringing his own mother down. Who would have thought that the person who would expose her crimes to the world would be none other than her own son. She must have felt so shocked and so heartbroken, considering how much she loves Zak. I felt tears pooling in my eyes and it wasn’t because I sympathized with her.
So many emotions filled me up inside and created an ugly mix of feelings. It just hurt.
“Natalia…” Reiner whispered my name.
I could feel his presence close behind me before he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me back against his large and solid frame. A tear rolled down my cheek, but I didn’t turn away from the television screen. I didn’t want to, but I knew that I had to watch everything unfold until the very end. This seemed to be just the start of the court case against her which meant that there was so much more to come until the end of the case where the judges will judge her and punish her.
–To be continued…