Inside Theodore’s car...
"Fuck, fuck!" Theodore cursed, slamming his fist on the steering wheel. His face was flushed with anger.
The reports lay forgotten on the passenger seat. He had anticipated finding damning evidence against Claudia, proof that would finally allow him to cast her out of the Reid family.
All these years, he had been planning to take action against the mother and son. He thought he would get the evidence against them this time. But nothing had happened as he hoped. His frustration mounted.
"Damn it!" he roared, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
The car was still, yet Theodore felt a whirlwind of emotions. Betrayal, anger, determination—they churned within him, a tempestuous sea threatening to consume him.
The more he felt frustrated, the more determined he grew. This was not the end; it was a mere setback. He would expose them, he vowed, his mind racing with renewed purpose.
The accident a few days ago resurfaced in his thoughts. "Yes, that driver," he mumbled. He needed to find the driver who had killed the man spotted with Franklin in the bar.
Hugo had been on the case, but progress had been slow. Now, more than ever, the driver of that fateful night was the key.
"We need to intensify the search," he muttered. Claudia and Franklin were too cunning to remain idle for long. He had to strike before they made their next move.
Reaching for his phone, he unlocked the screen, only to find Bella’s missed calls. He had been so engrossed in his own turmoil that he had forgotten about her.
"Shit!" He muttered, realizing she might have called him when he was speaking with Gary. "I’ll make up to her later." Thinking like this, he dialed Hugo’s number.
The call connected almost instantly. "Any updates on the accident case?" he demanded urgently.
Hugo’s reply was a dampening bucket of cold water. "No, sir. We’ve hit a dead end." Disappointment laced his tone. "But there’s something else. About the shootout...We have a lead about the person who had paid those thugs to violate madam."
Theodore’s posture stiffened. The horrifying images of those goons attempting to assault Bella and film the ordeal flashed through his mind as if he had been thrown to the scene yet again. Anger reached the boiling point.
"Find out who is the mastermind," he growled menacingly. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone tighter. His mind was a whirlwind of anger and determination, focused on ensuring that those responsible for Bella’s suffering would pay dearly.
"We are on it, sir. That person will be soon under our grasp."
Beep
Theodore stared out of the windshield, his mind a maelstrom of fury and resolve. "Bella, I’ll avenge you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bella returned home, her heart heavy with disappointment. The familiar comforts of her home seemed cold and empty without Theodore. She ached for his presence, for the warmth of his arms and the soothing sound of his voice. But he was not with her. Her calls had gone unanswered, and the silence between them was deafening.
Curling up on the sofa, she let out a dejected sigh. "Where are you, Theodore?" she whispered, her heart filled with longing.
What could possibly be keeping him so occupied that he couldn’t even spare a moment to call her, not even a simple text?
Her phone rang, jolting her out of her reverie. Hope flickered in her heart as she thought Theodore was calling her. She reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly. But the unknown number on the caller ID quickly doused her optimism. A frown creased her brow as she answered the call.
"Hello?" she said cautiously.
Lionel’s voice, smooth and condescending, filled her ears. "My dear Bella, I hope you are doing well."
She stiffened, her grip tightening around the phone. "What do you want?" she snapped, her tone icy. "If you’re calling to ask for money, don’t bother. I’ve already told you I don’t have any."
Lionel chuckled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "No, no, darling, that’s not why I’m calling. I just wanted to check on you. I heard your mother’s condition is improving."
Anger surged through her veins like a raging fire. "Don’t even think about going near her," she warned, her voice low and menacing. "I’ll send you back to jail."
Lionel feigned fear. "Oh, dear, I’m so scared. I wouldn’t dare to upset you. But you know, you’ll be coming to see me soon enough, anyway."
Bella grimaced, her disgust evident. "In your dreams," she spat. "You’re no longer part of this family. I don’t care about your problems. If you owe people money, that’s your problem, not mine."
"Yes, yes, I know," Lionel scoffed. "Why would you bother about my issues? You’ve grown up and forgotten your old man."
Bella’s patience was wearing thin. "Cut the crap and tell me why you called," she demanded.
"Hey, someone cares about me," he replied smugly.
Bella’s jaw set in a grim line. After a moment of tense silence, she said, "I am hanging up."
"If you hung up now, how will you know how Mrs. Green is doing?" His cold voice froze Bella.
Bella’s heart sank. She knew exactly what he was implying. "You!" she exclaimed, anger fueling her voice. "You’ve already caused enough damage by burning down her house. What have you done now?"
"Nothing... yet," he replied coldly. "But I can’t promise I won’t."
"Lionel, you heartless monster!" Bella shouted. "Leave her alone. She is sick. If you have a problem with me, take it out on me, not her!"
"Aw, look at you, getting all emotional. Don’t worry, I don’t have anything against Mrs. Green. It pains me to see her coughing up blood." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Bella’s world seemed to tilt on its axis. "What? Blood?" she gasped in fear. She hadn’t known Mrs. Green’s condition was that severe.
There was a tense silence on the other end of the phone. "You didn’t know she has lung cancer? Strange, I thought you were close to her."
Bella’s mind reeled. She had been so occupied with herself and her mother that she had ignored Mrs. Green, who was a rock of support. But she was suffering alone when she needed help the most.
Tears of regret streamed down Bella’s cheeks.
Lionel’s laugh was cold and devoid of any warmth. "Seems like you’ve been neglecting the people who actually care about you."
"Leave her alone," she snarled.
"Why should I?" Lionel sneered. "You want to save her, don’t you? Then come to me. I won’t hurt her as long as you obey me."
"What do you want?" Bella managed to croak out.
"Meet me at home. Come alone, and don’t think of calling the cops," Lionel instructed with menace.
Bella took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I’ll be there. But if you harm her, I swear you’ll regret it."
"Oh, I’m trembling," Lionel mocked. "See you soon, darling, and she will be released."
The line went dead.
Bella remained numb for a moment, clutching the phone, her mind racing. She had to act quickly to save Mrs. Green. "This should end here." With a determined look, she grabbed her bag and headed out, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
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