Chapter 235 - 235: Feel Like Blind Idiot

Avery lies on the sofa in her parlor and spins the ring around her finger. The diamond catches the light and throws sparkles across the room and onto the walls. Lucky runs in and out through the open French doors and the curtains rustle in the breeze. She can't stop thinking about Charles.

I can't believe he loves me, she thought guiltily. I feel like a blind idiot—I thought he was just friendly, but he was flirting the whole time. He was always calling me and joking with me and inviting me to dinner. Why didn't I see it? Why didn't I put a stop to it? He must have thought I was leading him on. 

Her phone buzzes in her pocket, and she answers it, grateful for the distraction. It's Evan, but his voice sounded distant and crackly. He tells her he's landed safely and is on his way from the airport to the family house. He hangs up without asking her about her day or telling her how much he misses her. Avery stares gloomily at the wall-papered walls, feeling even more alone than before.

Evan's plane touches down at dusk. The sky was tinged orange, and the clouds glow in the fading light. A black car waits on the runway to take him to his grandfather's private retreat. As they drive to the house, the night seems to swallow them whole.

Evan gets out of the car in front of the house, and a chill runs through his body. He's only been to his grandfather's private home a few times, but the place gives him the creeps. Though it's dark outside, not a single light shines from the house's windows. It's eerily quiet too-the only sound comes from the marble fountain in the middle of the courtyard. A black marble lion sits in the middle of the fountain with its jaws wide open as if it's eating the sky. Water shoots upward from a pipe in its mouth and falls back down into the fountain.

Evan and Robert walk through the gates and startle a flock of ravens. The birds shoot up into the sky, cawing and screeching. A few oily black feathers fall to the ground. A pair of cold-eyed bodyguards armed with machine guns stop Evan and Robert outside the front door.

One of the guards grabbed a handheld metal detector and waved it over Evan's body. Then he repeats it on Robert. The detector beeps, and the guard glares as Robert hands over his pistol. Evan starts to walk toward the doors, but a guard steps in front of him and puts his hand against Evan's chest.

"Stop," the guard says. "Your butler has a hidden weapon."

Evan looks back at Robert and Robert grimaces. He reaches down into his boot and pulls a knife out of the side. He hands it to the guard, and the guards nod and let them pass into the mansion. As soon as they're inside the tall, black doors swing shut, leaving them alone in the dark entryway.

The inside of the mansion is decorated in a far-east style. Priceless screens, antiques, and Chinese calligraphy line the walls. At the back of the entryway is a carved wood dragon with ruby eyes. The jewels glint threateningly in the darkness. When Evan was a child, the dragon gave him nightmares.

Evan's footsteps echoed loudly on the polished marble floors. He stalks toward his grandfather's study, but a guard seems to appear out of nowhere.

"Sorry, sir, your grandfather is having his dinner, and he's given orders that no one should disturb him," the guard says.

"Tell him I'm here," Evan says.

"He knows," the guard replies.

Evan scowls. He wants to argue, but he knows it's pointless. His grandfather's mansion is filled with heavily armed security guards, and the men aren't afraid to use force. Evan paces the hallways and looks at his grandfather's priceless art. He checks his watch every few minutes. After an hour has passed, he finds a guard.

"Is my grandfather finished with his meal yet?" Evan asks.

"He's on an important phone call," the guard answers. "You'll have to wait."

The guard leads Evan to the study and gestures for him to wait. Evan stares at the carved wood doors and taps his foot impatiently. Finally, the doors swing open, and Evan enters, followed by Robert.

Francis Howel sits behind a large desk and in front of a huge screen. He's wearing a black suit, and his expression is icy. Though he's in his sixties, his hair is still dark and thick. The neat mustache on his lip twitches as he frowns at Evan. Two suited black bodyguards stand behind the desk with their arms crossed.

Evan sits across the desk from his grandfather and waits for the older man to speak. There's a loud knock from behind the screen, and a secret door slides open. A beautiful young woman steps out from behind the screen, carrying a tea tray. She glances quickly at Evan and puts the tray on the desk.

"I made Evan's favorite tea, Grandpa," the woman says.

Evan can't believe his ears. I don't call him grandpa, Evan thinks. Who is this woman, and why is she so comfortable with him? And why does he let her have free rein to move around in the house? He barely even lets his own family come here.

The woman pours the tea and then leaves with a brief nod at Francis. Francis swirls his tea and sniffs the steam. Then he leans back in his chair and rests his feet on the desk.

"So tell me, is the divorce finalized with that woman yet?" Francis asks. 

"No, she's still my wife, and I'd appreciate it if you talked about her with more respect," Evan says.

"That attitude won't get you anywhere with me, boy," Francis says. "But I'm busy, and I don't have time to talk about insignificant women. As soon as she gives birth, she's gone. And that's that."

"No, I won't agree to that," Evan says.

"You don't have a choice," Francis says. He takes his feet off the desk and leans forward to stare into Evan's eyes. "If you value her life at all, you'll cut off all contact with her after the birth."

"I've been doing some research into your past," Evan says. "I've found out some very interesting things about bribes you've paid and received. It would be bad if that information got out right before the elections, don't you think?"

"You think you can threaten me?" Francis asks with a laugh. "I know you've been trying to dig up dirt on me, and I don't care. If you want to release the papers, go ahead. No matter what, you and that woman are done."

"No, we're not done," Evan says, balling his hands into fists.

"I'm getting tired of this conversation," Francis says. "I already have another marriage arranged for you." 

Evan jumps to his feet, and the bodyguards pull out their guns and point them at him. He takes a deep breath and counts to five, slowly unclenching his fists. The bodyguards relax, but they keep their guns aimed at his chest.

"You forced me to marry Avery and get her pregnant," Evan says. "You even threatened me with Diana to make sure I'd do it. But you need to remember that Avery hasn't given birth yet. There's no guarantee that you'll have an heir after all." 

"That's a terrible threat," Francis says. "I still have Diana. If anything happens to the baby, Diana will suffer for it."

"Screw, Diana," Evan snarls. "If you don't stop interfering in my marriage, I'm going to get Avery an abortion."

Evan knows it's a desperate threat, but he's out of other options. Francis sips his tea and smiles coldly. Evan wants to punch the smile off his face.

"You're bluffing," Francis says. "You won't make her get an abortion. You care too much about the unborn child, and too much about Diana. You're weak, Evan. Your emotions always get the better of you."

"I'm not bluffing," Evan says coldly. "Don't test me."

Francis sighs and puts his tea down. He snaps his fingers, and one of the guards runs to the study doors and locks them. Evan nods at Robert, and the two begin backing toward the doors.

"Do you think you can keep me prisoner here, old man?" Evan asks.

"I do," Francis says.

He snaps his fingers again, and the guards raise their guns and take aim. Gunshots echoed through the room, and Robert jumps in front of Evan.