Three hours passed and Liam was yet to make a decision. In a bid to find out the poison used on the drink, he visited the server who was not spared from his wrath but locked in a cell of her own.
After a ‘tough’ session with her, it was clear she knew nothing about the poison she used on the drink. A fact that drove him to the brink of insanity. June’s condition worsened over time.
She had navigated through murky waters and given the doctors a scare, Carson inclusive. What’s more? Rafael was outside the Fernando Estate with a convoy and some security officials.
His demand was simple – To hand over his wife.
Liam was left with the difficult situation of doing his brother’s bidding and saving June’s life or finding a solution himself. In other cases, he would have easily leaned towards the latter but he couldn’t tell if his brother lied or meant it when he said she had three days.
June was struggling in the vent. It seemed like she was fighting a battle in her sleep but never opened her eyes once. It didn’t help that Rafael demanded his attention at the front of his estate.
“Rafael Ambrose,” Liam called, standing before him. “Why are you here?”
Rafael was dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans. A huge difference from his usual business dress. “Hand her to me,” Rafael demanded with his jaws clenched tight.
“And why would I do that?” Liam asked with gritted teeth. “Miss Rivera is under my care. I don’t care what you had with her, but she remains here until she can make choices.”
“How can I trust you with her when your brother placed her in that condition? The jet has been prepared and North City’s best hands are ready to travel with us. I need my wife.”
“I’m sorry I cannot release her to you.” Liam hissed.
“Can’t or won’t?” Rafael asked, tethering at the brink of rage.
“Whatever floats your boat.” He answered. “I will pretend this never happened, Rafael. Take your boys and leave my property.”
“Or what?”
“You may be the King of South City, Ambrose. But make no mistakes, this is my turf. I could easily destroy you and your company without batting an eyelid.” Liam glowered. “Don’t test me.”
Meanwhile, Carson was at the medical centre doing some routine checks in June. He had mentioned June’s state during a phone call with the new colleagues he built in North City while seeking a solution. Rafael ran with it.
June had another major heart attack and that sponsored Liam’s decision. He could always catch his brother and make him pay for betraying him, but if he allowed June to die, there was no return to that.
Arnold smirked when he caught sight of Liam in his cell. “Back already?” He asked in a teasing tone. “How is she?”
Liam bit his lips and refrained from stabbing him once again with the knife placed on a table by the side of the room. “What is the antidote?” He asked,
“Tell me and you will be a free man.” Liam made his offer. “I am ready to put the past behind me and forge ahead with expanding our business. We don’t have much time.”
Arnold laughed after Liam’s words. “I didn’t know you were such a talented actor.” He said. “Do you think I would be daft to get into a deal with you in this state? I can’t even walk. What is the guarantee that you won’t slice my throat the moment I hand over what you want?”
Liam maintained silence and Arnold smirked. “Thought so.”
“I think you are mistaking what this is, Arnold.” Liam stepped closer to him. “I am allowing you to redeem yourself.”
“And if I refuse?” Arnold asked with a smirk. “You forget that I have no problem with dying. However, you won’t do that because you want her alive.” He tutted, “Do I need to spell it out to you? I am the important one for once, and hell will freeze before I let you think otherwise.”
“What do you want?” Liam asked in a calm voice.
“Now you’re talking,” Arnold said. “I can’t talk with my hands tied, can I?”
The brothers stared at each other for seconds. The silence was broken by two words and one command. “Untie him.”
The men were quick to action, Arnold was set free in minutes. Despite being free, he couldn’t move his body without pain. He had gashes and deep wounds which were inflicted by Liam the last time.
“Since you are desperate to save her life, you should organise a private jet and crew to leave this City in the next thirty minutes. I need a doctor who would accompany me on the journey.”
“Where are you headed?”
“You don’t need to know that. Just ensure the jet is ready to leave. The location would be decided on the spot.” Arnold twitched his arm and felt a sting of pain from his joints. “Maybe you should get that doctor in sooner than later.”
Liam bit his tongue and left the prison. Arnold was released and a doctor attended to his wounds. Due to the deep stab wounds in his thighs, he was unable to use his legs and relegated to a wheelchair to ease his journey through.
Arnold was escorted to a private hangar with some men and received a burner phone to communicate the antidote once he entered the aeroplane.
Liam sat in the living room of his mansion, eyes fixed on his phone as he awaited the call. Thirty minutes later, a call from one of the men who escorted his brother out of the house came in.
He could sense something had gone wrong. Liam picked up the call and Arnold’s voice greeted him. “Hello, Brother.” His voice was smug.
“What have you done?”
“I never miss an opportunity to take out an enemy.” He tutted, “Pity I won’t be able to thank that young almost dead woman for granting me an opportunity to become all I’ve ever wanted.”
“You gave me your word. What is the antidote?” Liam gritted, losing his mind by the second.
Just then Carson stormed into the sitting room. “She’s struggling! Have you received word from that bastard?!”
Liam refocused his attention on the phone call. “Arnold Fernando. I will find you and give you a death so cruel, Satan would want lessons. Don’t test me.”
A laugh. “You’ve always been a big talker, Brother. Sincere condolences on your loss. I can’t say it would be the last time you lose something. I will be back for the throne. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
Two beeps and the call ended. Liam tried returning the call but it was out of existence. His last strand of hope was shattered by the system message that played every time he tried to reach his brother.
A man rushed into the living room with heavy breaths. “Sir! The men were ambushed on the way to the hangar! Our men were killed and Arnold was taken away.”
A nurse rushed to the living room in search of Carson. “The lady! She’s flatlining!”