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

Twenty Nine

"Is that all?" Charles asked with a low voice to avoid waking Isabella who was still sleeping deeply. 

Attorney Richard who seemed partially busy with something related to paperwork replied from the other end of the call, 'I reached out to Isabella's doctor. Luckily, his schedule is not tight on the 27th, so he will be able to make it to the hearing.'

Charles wore a satisfactory smile. It was all coming together fine. "That's good. Did her doctor say anything else?"

'Well...' Richard drew a long breath before speaking further. 'He did say his statement would most likely be disturbing.'

Charles crossed one leg over another as his face wore a frown. Grabbing the phone a bit tighter, he asked, "Disturbing? How so?"

'He is bound by an oath thus he can only make mention of it during the hearing.'

"I see." Charles felt it was a shame that he wouldn't get an opportunity to witness the hearing.

'One more thing,' Richard said.

"There is something else?"

'It is concerning Gabriel Manifold. Augustus discovered something about him. Something interesting.' 

It then occurred to Charles that it had been a while since he saw the man called Augustus - the man who always wore a hat. The private investigator was quite an intriguing character.

"What is that?" Charles asked, his curiosity more roused.

A sharp breath was drawn from the other end. 'Gabriel is wanted in India as he was an accomplice for murder.'

"Murder?" If that was true, Charles saw an opportunity. Gabriel having such a past would make the game between them more interesting. It would assure Isabella of a great win.

'Augustus is still looking into the details. But all we have now is that this happened eleven years ago.'

"How has he avoided imprisonment so far? Certainly, the extradition system is functional there."

Richard sighed. 'Perhaps his father did a good job of sweeping the case under the carpet.'

His mind calculating things already, Charles got up from the chair and went on to lean against the plastered wall, staring out at the evening sky. "So, do you think that information gives us an advantage during the hearing?"

'It certainly does. Though I would prefer to use that information as a last resort. At this rate, we might not have to use it. Our witness game is strong.'

Charles wished Richard would let him in on everything going on with the hearing but the man was tight-lipped and preferred to mention bits and bits that didn't help Charles in any way 

"Good. Let's just wait and see how things play out from here then."

'It certainly would be interesting.' Richard seemed to share Charles's exact thoughts about Gabriel's downfall and that brought a smirk to the tall man's face.

Soon, the call ended and Charles continued to run his gaze through the colourful sunset. 

Gabriel Manifold, he thought, the man's off-putting face showing up in his mind. 

That man wants Isabella? He will have to try harder. Perhaps he would have to magically turn the hands of time.

Charles's smirk grew larger as he went to take his seat. 

Without a doubt, Isabella was going to become his and when she eventually does, his revenge will be sweeter then.

And man, was he going to enjoy it.

~

While Charles rejoiced about the impending victory, rooms away from his, his mother stared at the contents of the folder in her hands.

Claire Oxford quickly determined that the Shade woman was extremely unlucky. 

Being married to a man who was meant to be in prison was the height of Isabella's misfortune. 

 Claire Oxford could only imagine the crazy things Isabella had to go through at the hands of a man who seemed more and more cold-blooded based on the things she had just read about him.

But that didn't mean she pitied Isabella Shade that much to allow her to be with her son. Claire could smell the misfortune Isabella would bring her son even though it was yet to arrive.

Picking her phone as she felt it wouldn't be bad to kickstart her plan, she typed in Gabriel's number. After a few rings, her call was picked up.

'Hello,' a harsh voice responded, causing the woman to feel slight discomfort.

"Mr. Manifold?" 

'Who is this?'

She found him so uncultured. But she was going to put up with it. "I am Mrs. Oxford, Charles' mother."

'What is this?' A scoff followed. 'Did the Pretty Man get scared and decide to bring his mother into the matter?'

"Actually, Gabriel, Charles doesn't know about this.

'So, what is this?' asked the man suspiciously.

Mrs. Oxford adjusted in her seat and had her eyes trained on the descending nightfall. "I have a proposition for you."

'Why would you have a proposition for me? We are not acquainted in any way.'

"I don't want my son to be with Isabella."

That answer seemed to tickle his fancy. 'Go on...' 

Claire Oxford smiled. It was go time. "I am well aware of your dirty past, Manifold and I am willing to help you get rid of it if you do something for me."

'Wh- what past?' It hardly surprised Mrs. Oxford that Gabriel immediately sounded flustered. Men cower in the presence of their past sins and Gabriel Manifold was no exception.

Claire laughed softly... well perhaps a little bit sinisterly. "You and I know what happened back in India. Or have you forgotten?" she asked darkly.

'Where are you going with this?' She could sense he had become more attentive.

"As I said, I will help you get rid of that issue. And when you are successful with what I need you to do, Isabella will certainly be yours."

'What is this thing I need to do?'

She smiled again. "In due time you will know. I just want to be certain I have your word."

A brief pause followed before Gabriel replied with, 'I will do whatever it takes.'

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