At Sterling Villa,
A rhythmic tap of polished shoes echoed through the hallway as Damien sauntered into the living hall, his movements deliberate and calculated.
His dark eyes flickered with something unreliable as Elias Hawthorne stepped inside the villa. Clearly, he had no plans to meet him so soon, but the situation and plans were changing.
"Director Ashford." Elias Hawthorne greeted Damien with a composed smile.
Elias Hawthorne held a calm, approachable demeanor, with brown eyes behind rectangular glasses. His dark brown hair was neatly combed. Dressed in a blazer over a simple shirt and trousers, he carried himself with his warm smile, making himself look instantly trustworthy.
Without acknowledging the greeting, Danien sat in an armchair. His voice, sharp and devoid of mercy, slicked through the quiet air, "I want her bedridden in a few days."
He preferred the next day, but didn't want to raise suspicions.
Elias's brows twitched slightly. There was no need for clarification. He knew exactly who 'her' was.
Elias introduced Damien to slow poisoning and supplied Damien with the toxin in the first place. However, he wasn't reckless.
"Director Ashford," His voice remained smooth, yet beneath it was an unmistakable warning, "I can adjust the dosage if I learn the plan, but if we increase it too abruptly, she may die within a week."
A sudden death would raise suspicions.
Damien's expression didn't waver. "Bedridden in a few days but still alive for at least a year." He showed no hesitation or remorse while talking about a person's life.
"Her condition should get worse slowly." So that nobody doubts him.
Elias took a moment, weighing the risks, "If we target a few days and increase the dosage, she will start having severe vomiting, followed by seizures, and eventually slip into a coma. We need to give time for her body to accumulate the toxin before moving to the next dosage."
Damien clenched his jaw, 'Damn her luck.'
He had initially planned this after six months. Keeping her occupied at home with Grace & Bloom, making her redo the project papers endlessly until she gave up. By the time she realized she was sick, it would have been too late.
But now he has to speed up the process.
Elias adjusted his glasses. "I have a plan. But it takes three weeks."
Damien exhaled slowly. It was much better than having her dead on his porch.
"Walter."
The housekeeper promptly stepped forward.
Elias turned to Walter, explaining the precise poisoning schedule, the dosage, and the timing.
Once the instructions were given, Elias turned to Damien and added, "The first symptoms will be weakness, mood swings, and cramping. She may faint. When that happens, bring her to me. I will modify the dosage based on the level of accumulation in her system."
Damien's lips curled in distaste. He was trying to reduce his time and efforts behind Aveline. Then, taking her to the hospital like a devoted husband?
He hadn't planned for that.
Still, Vivienne would be pleased. Knowing Aveline would soon fall apart would undoubtedly put her in a better mood. It made Damien smirk.
"Alright." He ended their conversation and stood up.
Without sparing another glance at Elias, Damien grabbed his keys and strode out. The Bugatti roared to life and disappeared from the gates.
….
Inside the villa, Elias stepped towards the cabinet when he caught sight of a photo frame on it. It was a photo from Damien and Aveline's engagement.
His eyes traced the woman beside Damien. She wasn't short, yet looked petite next to Damien. She had a delicate, ethereal beauty with pale, porcelain skin and long, slightly wavy chestnut hair. Her striking hazel eyes hold a quiet intelligence and curiosity. Dressed elegantly in pastels and a floral dress, Aveline Laurent was hard to look away from.
Elias took a moment to blink. "She is beautiful." He murmured, almost to himself..
First time he saw her in the Lamborghini that drove out a few minutes back, and now he confirmed, it was Damien's wife who drove the car out.
Vivienne was hot, but Aveline was different. She was delicate, Elegant, and refined.
Elias truly wondered 'How does Damien control himself around Aveline?'
'Or was he cheating Vivienne too?'
His thoughts made him chuckle. 'Two women, two lives. He is living his best life.'
A quiet voice of Walter broke his thoughts, "Mrs. Ashford is kindhearted." He meant Aveline wasn't just pretty outside but inside, too.
A small yet meaningful statement.
Elias turned slightly, noticing the hesitation in the housekeeper's expression. So he wasn't the only one who thought Damien's wife deserved better.
However, their emotions were useless.
Elias's expression returned to neutrality, "Keep an eye on any abnormalities of Mrs. Ashford and report to Director Ashford immediately."
With that, he turned and strode out.
Walter remained still for a moment, staring at the photo of Aveline.
He considered numerous times to warn Aveline. But the results of his action would leave him in dire condition. Damien wouldn't let him live.
With a weary sigh, he turned and walked away.
–––––
Inside Lamborghini.
'Ring, ring…'
The sudden ring of her mobile snapped Aveline out of her thoughts. She tapped the speaker button, "Nate?"
"Aveline," Nate's voice came through the speakers. "No one is following you."
Aveline exhaled, relief washing over her. "Thank you, Nate." She had asked Nate to check for any suspicious vehicles before she left the Sterling Villa.
…
She reached Laurent Industries headquarters, which was in the hub of Velmora city. The first eight floors were the flagship store of the Laurent brand. The top 8 floors were used for office purposes.
The interior and exterior of the building were iconic, as though it weren't a store but a museum.
There were two entrances to the office. One was through the store and executive elevator, and the one was at the back of the building, reserved for the office employees.
She was about to take a turn to go to the back of the building when she saw Scarlett's car parked in front of the coffee shop.
Pulling her car right beside Scarlett's, Aveline was speechless when Scarlett rushed out of the car and went around the Lamborghini with an explosive admiration.
"Girl! This is a limited edition. Only 9 of these exist in the world! And only one car in this country!" Scarlett held Aveline's shoulder and shook her dramatically, "Why didn't you tell me that you own it?"
Aveline: "..."
She doesn't fancy cars. It was always her father and brother who chose and changed cars for her. Whereas Damien loves to collect limited edition models.
Scarlett shook off her awe when she got a good look at Aveline. She pressed a hand to Aveline's forehead, concerning etching her face immediately, "Linne, you look exhausted, are you okay?"
Aveline forced a small smile and assured Scarlett, "I'm fine. Just… acting and lying are taxing me. My body is probably reacting against it." She shrugged.
Scarlett pulled her into a hug. She felt bad for her friend. But this was the fight Aveline chose for herself. "You are fighting for yourself and your parents rather than crying in front of them. I'm so proud of you, Linnie. You are one of the strongest women I know."
Aveline smiled, hearing her friend boosting her energy, and it was working. She teased, "Stronger than Giselle Lancaster?"
"Yes. Stronger than her." Scarlett didn't hesitate.
Aveline was surprised to hear that. But the confidence and control of Giselle were something she wanted to acquire while facing Damien.
Scarlett pulled away from the hug and reasoned, "Linnie, she fights for others, where she loses nothing even if she loses the case. Whereas you are putting everything at stake for your family. So you are my new idol. Mwa."
She kissed Aveline in the air and humoured, "I don't want to ruin my lipstick."
Aveline giggled, hearing i,t and indulged her friend, "I don't mind ruining my lipstick." She quickly leaned in and pressed her lips on Scarlett's shoulder, imprinting her lipstick stain on the white shirt.
Scarlett: "..."
Aveline skipped away and giggled, standing at the driver's seat, "Red, your little admirers at the work will kill themselves today." By assuming Scarlett as a lesbo.
Scarlett gasped dramatically, "You rascal…" She pretended to run behind her and watched Aveline get in the car and wave her hand.
Recalling something else, "Wait…" Scarlet ran over to her car and grabbed a thick envelope from the passenger seat. Rushing back to Aveline, she gave the envelope to Aveline, "Nate asked me to give you the envelope."
Aveline nodded, her smile lingering as they waved goodbye.
Her smile disappeared when a note dropped from the envelope, written in Nate's handwriting.
'Registered offences of Damien Ashford and Ashford Holdings.'
She quickly pulled out the stack of papers. Her breath caught.
Police reports.
Legal charges.
Penalties.
Not one or two. Dozens. Her grip tightened.
Damien Ashford was not untouchable.
If these offenses were publicised? The damage was irreversible.
For the first time, she held a weapon that could wound him.
Should she strike first before he touches Laurents?