Where is my wife?
By this time, the Andrew family had already emerged from inside the house to investigate the commotion. When Cole and the rest of the family laid eyes on the torn-down gate, their mouths gaped open in bewilderment.
What had happened? Did a bulldozer crash into it? How could their sturdy gate collapse like this? They were stunned and desperate for answers.
Even the servants were taken aback by the sight of the huge iron gate lying on the ground. They remained frozen at their stations, trying to recover from the shock.
“Who did this?” Cole Andrew seethed with rage.
“Who the hell-” He was about to unleash his anger when a calm yet commanding voice interrupted him.
“I did,” Shawn declared boldly, his figure towering above everyone present.
At that moment, the Andrew family shifted their gaze from the damaged gate to the intruder.
Cole instinctively took a step back, studying the man from head to toe.
The stranger exuded an air of power, dressed impeccably elegant in a tuxedo… He didn’t seem like one to be trifled with.
However, blinded by anger, Cole couldn’t contain himself and bellowed, “Who the hell are you?! Do you have any idea who I am?! How dare you mess with me?! Who sent you?!”
The Andrew family’s patriarch believed that one of his rivals must have sent the man to orchestrate this attack on his gate to spite him. Did they want to drag him down as they did that Minister?
Shawn snickered, dismissing all the questions thrown at him. Instead, he posed a question of his own, his voice calm yet chilling, “Where is she?”
The Andrew family were puzzled by the man’s query. Where was who? Who? Who was the intruder talking about? Or… was he a mad man? Why spouting rubbish?
Cole couldn’t believe his ears. Was this man insane? First, he tore down his gate, and now, he was asking about someone… who?
“I promise you, I’ll make you regret setting foot in this-” Cole’s words were cut off by Shawn’s cold interruption, “Where. Is. She?”
“You-!” Cole was about to retaliate, but his words died on his lips when he saw a familiar figure emerge from behind the intruder.
As his gaze followed Lucas, who stood beside Shawn, recognition struck Cole. It was Assistant Lucas, the direct assistant of the famous Shawn Mandez. But what was he doing here in his home?
Did he have…? Just then, Cole tore his gaze away from Lucas’ face and planted his eyes on Shawn. A second later, his widened eyes mirrored his sheer horror. It couldn’t be. Was the invader actually…? Shit. Cole Andrew broke out in cold sweats at once.
He was done for.
Noticing Cole’s changing expression, Shawn sneered with knowing superiority.
“Where is my wife?” He demanded, his voice icy.
Wife? The revelation that CEO Shawn was married startled Cole Andrew. He had never heard it before that Shawn Mandez was married.
The middle-aged man immediately bowed low, his voice trembling as he stammered, “Er-erm… Your wife, Sir-your wife is not here, sir.” He struggled to find the right words.
“Hmm,” Shawn responded, his face expressionless, his gaze fixed on Cole. “How come? My wife was abducted by you a while ago,” he added, his tone loaded with menace. “Does that mean I’m lying?”
More cold sweats broke out on Cole’s forehead as he vigorously shook his head. “No, sir. Not at all, sir. I apologize, sir. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise,” he hurriedly defended himself.
“Hmm.”
Cole felt Shawn’s piercing gaze penetrate into his soul as he pondered his next move. Who had abducted this dangerous man’s wife? It wasn’t him, that much was clear. He could never have dared to do such a thing. When it wasn’t as if he wanted to court death itself.
Cole’s voice cracked, betraying his fear. “I’m afraid I do not quite understand, sir.”
Lucas decided to intervene. “Where is the daughter of the Thompson family?”
Cole frowned as he tried to make sense of the words. ‘Daughter of the Thomp-”
Once again, his eyes widened in sheer horror, his head hung low, and frozen in place. The Thompsons’ first daughter? Was she the person CEO Shawn was referring to? Was she his wife? Barbara Thompson never mentioned anything about her daughter being already married.
‘I’m in hot soup…’
As different thoughts raced through his mind, Cole’s panic intensified.
Slowly, he straightened his posture. “I will bring her to you, sir. I apologize for the misunderstanding,” he said, his voice hoarse. He hastily turned and headed into the house.
Confusion filled the rest of the household. Witnessing their patriarch treating the unfamiliar man with utmost respect, they deduced that he must be a person of great influence.
Quietly, they stood to the side, observing as the tense scene unfolded.
Just as Cole was about to open the attic himself, his wife rushed over and blocked the door.
“Husband, what are you trying to do?” Panic etched across her face.
Cole’s brows furrowed. “No, woman, what do you think you’re doing? Move aside this instant.”NôvelDrama.Org content rights.
“What? Wait, you’re actually going to hand the girl over to that man?” She gasped, a mix of fear and disbelief in her voice.
“That man?” Cole couldn’t believe his ears. “Did you just refer to HIM as ‘that man’?”
“Woman, don’t put me in trouble! Move out of the way this instant!”
“No!” Tears welled up in Susan Andrew’s eyes. “I already informed our son that we have found him a bride. It will crush him if he discovers she’s gone before he even lays eyes on her.”
“What will I tell him? Please… Just this once, don’t give her to them. I beg you,” She pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.
Cole’s face fell, his heart writhing in pain. It also broke his heart to see that his son would lose his bride before their union even began. But what choice did they have?
Unless they wanted their entire family to be destroyed with a snap of CEO Shawn’s fingers, the girl had to be handed over.
After a moment of agonizing silence, Cole’s voice turned hoarse. “My hands are tied,” he uttered, his expression somber.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find another solution.” He paused, sadness weighing heavy in his words. “For now, move aside.”
Without waiting for her response, Cole reached out and pulled his wife away from the door. Ignoring her piercing wail, he unlocked the attic and opened it.
Susan Andrew ran off, tears streaming down her face.
She couldn’t bear to let her son’s happiness slip away. She didn’t know what would happen if he found out later. What if his seizures worsened?
Hurriedly, she entered her husband’s room and rummaged through the chest of drawers beside the bed. She retrieved a file and rushed back outside.
As she neared the imposing man, her steps slowed, keeping a cautious distance. She suppressed her nervousness, knowing she had to do this for her son. She would not allow anyone to come and take away Mathew’s bride. No way on earth.