Chapter One
“No, let me go!”, a female's scream echoed in the stretch of the Clyde's estate’s private course.
The early morning mist curled like ghosts around the towering black gates and sprawling marble mansion behind it–silent, regal, and watching.
“Shut up, and move.” Ash, the Clyde’s personal bodyguard roared at the young lady who looked like she was rethinking all her life's decisions.
Adrian, the youngest of the Clyde brothers, made a swift swing of the golf against the small ball. The golf club sliced through the air with a clean thwack, and the white ball vanished into the fog-covered distance.
He dropped the club, his brow furrowed–not from the shot, but from the sound.
“What's all the racket about?” He asked dangerously low as he stalked steadily as a prey towards the scene.
“Another one sire…” Ash says with a smirk. “She demanded to see you.”
Adrian c***s his head to the side, “is that so?”
“Yes si–”
“...I'm her sir! I'm your lost sister! I'm the one you've been looking for, you have to believe me.” The raven black haired girl spoke quickly with a frightened smile. One couldn't blame her.
Adrian was known to be the most dangerous of the three brothers. Most people thought he was secretly in the Mafia because of the aura he exuded. No one crossed him and lived to tell the story.
“What did you say?” He asked dangerously, edging closer to the lady who took backward steps. Ash had to keep her in place. “You're my long lost sister right?”
She nodded, the fear seemingly ceasing her voice. She cast a glance at Francis, the eldest of the Clyde brothers, all rumors of how dangerous he was, running through her mind. He was known for breaking standards in the business world, bringing thousands of business tycoons to their knees when he decided to.
Francis Clyde barely tilted his head, adjusting the sleek black sunglasses perched on his nose. The crisp suit hugged his tall, sculpted frame, a picture of calm power and quiet menace. He swirled a glass of scotch in his hand, his gaze unreadable.
“I'm- I'm not lying. Believe me sir, I'm really her!” She managed to blurt out, tears already at the rim of her eyes.
Adrian nodded, swinging his club back and forth. “Okay.”
One word.
But it held so much judgement like he just passed her death sentence.
Adrian gave a curt nod to Ash who gave a small nod in return. Without hesitation, Ash yanked the woman’s top aside, exposing her shoulder. No mark. Clear as a baby's.
Adrian’s jaw tensed.
"My sister has a birthmark,” he said coldly, ‘it's shaped exactly like a teardrop. Left side. Pale, not dark.” He said, pointing. “You thought you could fool us?”
Fear exploded across the woman’s face.
“No—please—I didn’t know—it wasn’t my idea! I swear! Please don’t hurt me!”
Ash grabbed the woman by the arm again as she sobbed, screaming, “I’m sorry! Don’t kill me, please! I’m sorry!”
Adrian’s voice was cold as iron. “Drag her out.”
Francis sat up slowly, slipping off his glasses. His eyes were ice.
“We’ve seen three fakes this year. Three.”
“How news got out of us trying to find our kid sister is still a wonder to me.”
“You're surprised?” Francis gave a small chuckle.” Our breakfast makes it to the news…”
As her cries faded down the hallway, Wayne Clyde stepped onto the terrace. He was dressed in charcoal scrubs, hospital badge still clipped to his belt.
His kind eyes were shadowed. His dark hair was ruffled, but somehow it still seems perfect like he was about to go for a photoshoot. His striking grey eyes scanned everywhere.
“Another fake?”
Adrian shook his head with disgust. “They keep coming. And I’ll keep flushing them out.”
Wayne looked toward Francis. “How long are we going to keep doing this?”
Francis’s gaze didn’t waver. “As long as it takes.”
Wayne walked past them, stopping to stare at the distant mist where the girl had been dragged away.
“It's no use, they'll never get past me.” Adrian said coldly, running his hand through his blond full hair. “Francis runs the family business, Wayne is the best doctor in the whole of New York, my job is to control all finances, make sure things run smoothly in the Clyde Mansion, as well as to catch these thieves and liars.”
“How about being a detective?” Wayne asked with a small smile.
“Too perfect for such boring work…” Adrian smirked.
Francis stood up, his aura and presence demanding attention. His golden blond hair was styled to absolute perfection. His icy blue eyes shone under the rising sun. He turned to face his brothers.
“Twenty-two years ago, when Mom died, we promised we’d find our sister. And we will.”
Everyone watched him keenly.
“We can't give up now. We have to find her. We don't know what she's going through, or where she is right now, but all I know is that we will not stop until we figure out where she is. It's our duty and responsibility. And I need you all to be full on this. I can't do this without you all”, he gave a full sweep of his brothers and his head bodyguard, Mateo. “Do I have your word?”
A moment passed. Then Wayne stepped forward.
“You have my word.”
Adrian nodded firmly. “And my fists.”
Even Mateo echoed, “We’re with you.”
Francis raised his glass. “To finding our sister. No matter what it costs.”
The two brothers picked up their own glasses and had a sip.
A few seconds later, Ash came rushing back in.
“Sirs!”
“What is it, Ash?” Wayne asked, “The imposter refused to leave?”
“She's been taken care of, sir. It's something else. It's about your missing sister.”
