“Tristan!”
Tristan paused immediately as a voice sounded in his earphone. His hand released the trigger, and he stayed quiet.
“I know you can hear me. I know what you’re planning-don’t fucking do it,” the voice sounded again.
Tristan sighed. It was his older brother’s voice.
“Why the heck are you ruining the fun?” he mumbled, looking back at Jolene, who had just gotten into her car and left.
Shit! He cursed inwardly.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to act out of order?” His brother’s voice was cold.
“You don’t get to give me orders,” Tristan rolled his eyes.
“Get over here and let’s talk. Don’t dare spill another drop of blood. Nathan Redmond was enough,” his brother said, and Tristan couldn’t help but wonder why his brother had become a bit soft.
Those who knew their secrets either died or joined them, just like Isabella and many others. Why the hell was he letting Tatiana off the hook?
“Tristan, I’ll explain everything once you get here. Don’t spill any blood.”
“Alright, alright,” Tristan sighed, retrieving his gun. “I won’t… You better have a good reason.”
Rowen, who saw Tristan withdrawing, let out a sigh of relief. He watched the strange man, all covered in black, packing up his gun. He knew someone must have ordered him to stop and was glad the person had intervened.
“How lucky,” Tristan mumbled as he released Rowen.
“T-thanks,” Rowen stuttered.
Tristan stood upright. It took every ounce of his self-control not to kill the man before him. Instead, he delivered a hard punch to Rowen’s face.
—
Jolene fidgeted in her seat as the cop before her worked on the computer. Her father’s voice echoed in her head, heightening her worry.
“When was the last time you saw your father?” the cop asked.
“Yesterday.”
“Did he show any strange behavior before his disappearance?” he inquired.
“We didn’t talk much. I didn’t notice anything unusual…”
“Jo!”
Jolene’s head snapped towards the door at the sound of her father’s voice. She stood up as he walked in.
“Rowen?” she mumbled, approaching him. Worry blanketed her face when she saw the wound on his face. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he responded, touching the wound. “It’s nothing, dear.”
“You scared me. What happened? Describe the thieves, and I’ll find a way to punish them and send them to jail,” Jolene said, and Rowen swallowed, recalling the strange man in black’s words.
‘Mention this to anyone, and I’ll rape your daughter before you, then cut her to pieces. You’ll watch every single scene because I’ll tape your eyelids open.’
Rowen had only seen the man’s eyes, and he knew the man meant every word. He looked like a psychopath, after all.
“I was attacked by street thieves. They were all wearing black. They wanted me to give them something, but I had nothing, so they decided to beat me.” Rowen was glad he got punched in the face; otherwise, no one would have believed him.
“Can you describe them?” one of the cops asked.
“I’m sorry, but I have terrible eyesight, and they had their faces covered.”
“Ah, must be the Vipers gang terrorizing the streets these days,” another cop mentioned.
“I guess,” Rowen nodded.
“Are you sure?” Jolene asked, and Rowen pretended to feel pain in his abdomen.
“I should treat the wounds,” he said, and Jolene nodded.
—
Rowen hissed in pain when Jolene applied some ointment to the wound on his face.
“Sorry,” she whispered, and he smiled.
She looked worried and, at the same time, angry. His daughter had grown up so well, and his heart swelled with joy. He’d do anything to make up for the years he was gone.
Even though that night he left wasn’t entirely his fault.
“Were you really looking for a job?” she suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
“Yes, I went out hustling, and I met an old friend of mine. We talked for a while, and he said he’d get me a good job.”
“Hmm,” Jolene nodded.
Rowen sighed. Gosh! He was so scared when the man in black aimed to shoot his daughter, and he hated himself for not revealing that bastard. But it was for the best, as long as his daughter was alive and well.
—
The news of Nathan Redmond’s death spread like wildfire. It was a shock that shook every netizen to the bone.
It was reported that his cellmates ganged up and killed him. Though they denied it, their fingerprints were all over the knife used to end Nathan’s life.
They claimed a mysterious guy was involved, but no one believed them. Both were sentenced to death.
That night, Tatiana lay on Cassius’s chest. She was quiet. Awfully quiet.
“Wifey, is something wrong?” Cassius asked gently, and she looked up from his chest.
“I don’t know. I just keep thinking.”
“About his death?” Cassius asked, and Tatiana slowly nodded.
“I feel like those men they claim murdered him didn’t actually do it,” Tatiana guessed correctly.
“And?”
“It was my uncle Tristan. I hate that uncle. He’s psycho, I’ve heard. I just have a feeling he did it,” Tatiana muttered, and Cassius kissed her hair.
“Stop thinking about it. It’s all fine, for now,” Cassius reassured her.
“Hmm… I just want to be with you and Dylan. My only family,” Tatiana smiled.
Cassius recalled something and drew her closer.
“Rebel?”
“Hmm?”
“My mother will be waking up soon,” Cassius whispered.
“Really?” Tatiana’s eyes widened with surprise and happiness.
“Yes. The doctor called this afternoon. There’s been improvement. She’ll be back soon,” he said.
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Me too. She’ll definitely love you,” he kissed her cheek and drew her back to his chest.
—
**RISE OF RUBY, FINALLY RELEASED!!!**
The media was ablaze, and the number of tickets sold in a single day was shocking.
Director Felix felt like he was in a dream. Never in his life had he thought he would achieve this. But he did, and it was all thanks to one person.
Tatiana!
This movie only took a few months to produce, and it was outperforming other films that had taken a year or even more!
Tatiana’s eyes widened in shock as she saw the crowd gathered before the cinema, eagerly anticipating her movie. Her face was covered since she was incredibly famous now. Being recognized would attract a lot of attention.
The truth is… She never expected the movie to be this successful.
“Congratulations, Wifey,” Cassius said beside her, his face also covered.
It’s been a week since they got married. A week spent at the beach villa, just the two of them, and it was heaven. They wished it wouldn’t end.
Cassius had already reserved a good spot for them, though it was among the crowd. He couldn’t miss his wife’s mind-blowing movie.
Tatiana bit her lip. What a risk it was, sitting among her fans. It was fascinating and overwhelming.
Crazy questions like… ‘What if they get disappointed at the end?’ struck her mind, and she became nervous.
Sensing her nervousness, Cassius reached for her hand and held it. “It’s alright, Wifey, they’re going to love it.”
Tatiana smiled at the man who understood her without a word.
The movie began to play, and a total silence fell over the place. Everyone’s attention was glued to the big screen.
Tatiana’s head turned to the side and found a young girl, around the age of 18, staring intently at her.
The girl blinked several times before whispering, “You’re Tatiana.”
Tatiana was taken aback by her words. She was recognized even with her disguise!
Cassius tilted his head to look at the girl.
The girl swallowed at the power he exuded. Just his gaze sent a chill down her spine. He placed his index finger to his lips, indicating that she shouldn’t reveal it. The girl nodded.
This man must be Tatiana’s secret lover. That excited her even more, but she dared not speak because of his regal bearing.
“I’m a huge fan,” she smiled at Tatiana, whose eyes crinkled at the corners, indicating a smile behind her mask.
The girl looked back at the man beside Tatiana and swallowed. She wanted to ask for an autograph but didn’t know how to.
Tatiana understood her and offered her palm.
The young girl smiled. “Thanks,” her eyes beamed with happiness. She took out a pen and book, handing them over to Tatiana.
She took it after Tatiana had signed and kissed the book.
“Thanks,” she whispered again, clutching the book to her chest.
Tatiana leaned over to Cassius’s ear. “You scared the poor girl.”