Blackmailing His Runaway Bride by Dance-is-me (carter reed .txt) 📗

Nine

Like every other human on earth, Claire Oxford had her past sins.

And typical of some iniquities, her sin was back to haunt her and take grasp of her son, Charles.

While she wondered what her precious son was doing at that moment, she took another second to silently pray that he did not stray or fall into wrong hands.

As she took a seat on one of the cushions in her tailoring room, Claire wondered if it would be safe to let her husband know of the present situation.

She certainly did not hide her previous shameful marriage with Ordinaz from her husband. And, she always appreciated the fact that he did not judge her based on the fact that she was sold to the evil man called Ordinaz.

Her husband even accepted her son who was the primary reason for running away from Ordinaz's abode. Claire also saw danger looming when troubles kept mounting troubles in Ordinaz's home.

No, she wasn't going to tell her husband, Claire immediately decided.

She shook her head as her eyes wearily wandered the huge room that reeked of lavender and was a sight to anyone who loved expensive garments. Telling her husband about the return of her past could hurt him. He might begin to worry about Charles which could turn out to be dangerous to his health.

So, Claire pushed that idea aside. As she inhaled deeply, the sophisticated woman realized that it was not enough if all she could do was wail silently. She had to do something. She needed to take control of the situation before things can get out of hand.

If Ordinaz was playing a dirty game with her, she sure could play along and get him to lose.

But, she was not so sure about her son. Charles was not in his right mind.

Even if he found a wife just as her ex-husband required, Charles could find out that Ordinaz wants something more and since the boy was very blinded by his need to know his real father, he would do it.

So, she wasn't comfortable with sitting idle when Ordinaz ruin could her only son with his stupid requests.

No doubt, it was necessary for Claire to take charge of the situation regardless of what her stubborn son said or says.

Setting Charles up with a lady from one of the reputable homes around was not too terrible for a start.

Nodding, Claire decided she was going to do that first.

Only if she had the intention to lie to herself, she was aware that she would not be able to bear the thought of her son marrying just anyone, even if it was just for show.

As she picked up her phone to dial her son's number and notify him of her intentions of coming down to the States, Claire quickly changed her mind.

Setting the device aside, she realized that she needed to be meticulous about her intentions.

As she happily sketched a plan in her head, her phone rang.

"Yes," came Claire's curt greeting.

'Good day, ma'am. This is Christina Kane, Mr. Oxford's secretary.'

A frown deepened on her face as Claire wondered why her son's secretary was calling her. "Is something wrong with Charles?"

She hoped that was not the case.

'Not at all, ma'am. It is just...'A pause that lasted seconds ensued before the next words came. '... I don't know if it is my place to say this, but yesterday, a woman came to see Mr. Oxford, and by chance, I heard him ask her to marry him.' Claire's eyes bulged instantly. 'I was so surprised, I thought I had to call you to tell you about it.'

"Miss Kane, right?"

'Yes, ma'am.' The politeness in the so-called Secretary's voice failed to rouse Claire Oxford.

"Tell me, do you always spy on your boss? Do you always report his movements like a jobless idiot?"

'No. Not at all ma. This just happened to be a...'

"I will make sure I have you sacked. My son shouldn't be around people like you."

'Ma'am...' the voice from the other end begged but Mrs. Oxford ended the call before she could utter another word.

Her head ticking even more, Claire, as she put down her phone knew that at that junction, she had to act fast.

She had to act before her son takes the wrong path or worse, fall into the wrong hands.

~

"Yes, she is married to Gabriel Manifold." The name was not familiar to Charles who signaled to the man in front of him to go on with his report. "He was once a millionaire, but he wasted all of his money, including his inherited fortune on gambling and women."

Charles frowned instantly.

What was Isabella doing with such a man?

"She got married to him on the sixth of October, 2013." That was barely two months after she left him. "There were rumours of her being pregnant, but they do not have a child to date. Even though they live together, Isabella hardly stays at home, word around says their marriage is not so solid anymore.

Contrary to the situation at beginning of their union, the couple are not close anymore and it seems, Gabriel is cheating on her. Their neighbour said she notices model-like women always going to their house whenever Isabella was not around."

Charles clutched the arms of the chair he was seated in as anger seethed through him.

Why was Isabella with such a man? Even if she had to leave him, couldn't she have found a better man?

Why was she still with that damned soul called Gabriel Manifold?

"Sir, there is more," the investigator continued. "Their neighbour also expressed concern for Isabella. In her words; not only is she looking leaner than usual, but Gabriel might also be abusing her."

"What?" Charles's blood was beginning to boil.

"Their neighbour is not so sure, but on certain days, she hears Gabriel raising his voice in anger and every time, a few minutes later, Isabella always leaves the house looking sad."

Charles's heart squeezed. Yes, he might hate her a bit for the hurt she made him feel, but he still cared a lot about her.

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