Chapter:2
1633 Words
The sun was setting over the sprawling estate of the wealthy and influential Richmond family. The patriarch, Reginald Richmond, stood in his study, gazing out at the breathtaking view. He had built the family's fortune from scratch, and his children were expected to follow in his footsteps.
Reginald's wife, Catherine, entered the room, her elegant presence commanding attention. "Reginald, we need to talk about the children," she said, her voice measured.
Reginald turned to face her, his expression stern. "What about them?"
Catherine took a seat in one of the plush armchairs. "Ethan is becoming increasingly distant. He's been spending more time with those friends of his, and less time focusing on the family business."
Reginald's expression darkened. "That boy is going to be the downfall of this family. He's too independent, too stubborn. He needs to learn to put the family first."
Catherine's eyes flashed with concern. "Reginald, you know Ethan's always felt suffocated by the family's expectations. He wants to forge his own path."
Reginald scoffed. "Path? What path? He's a Richmond. He has a duty to this family."
As the conversation continued, the tension between Reginald and Catherine grew. Their differing opinions on how to handle their children's futures threatened to boil over into a full-blown argument.
Meanwhile, the triplets - Ethan, Lucas, and Julian - were gathered in the game room, engaged in a heated game of pool. The air was thick with competition, and the brothers' banter masked a deeper unease.
Ethan, the quiet and brooding one, was growing increasingly frustrated with his family's expectations. He felt trapped, like he was being forced into a mold that didn't fit him.
Lucas, the charming and outgoing one, was trying to mediate the situation, but his own insecurities were beginning to surface. He felt like he was living in Ethan's shadow, and it was eating away at him.
Julian, the favoured son, was reveling in the attention, but his arrogance was starting to alienate his brothers. He saw them as inferior, and it showed in his behaviour.
The twin sisters, Ava and Lily, were watching from the sidelines, their eyes fixed on the drama unfolding before them. Ava was fascinated by the tension, while Lily felt a sense of unease.
As the night wore on, the family's dynamics continued to simmer, threatening to erupt into chaos. The question was, what would be the catalyst for the explosion?
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In the bustling city, at Night Enigma Club, the dance floor was full of people dancing. The smell of sweat mixed with booze filled the air.
On the second floor, Julian sat with his friends, being served drinks by female waitresses. They were all smoking; some were doing drugs, and there were girls beside each of them — some kissing, some touching.
Julian was always surrounded by multiple girls wherever he went, drinking heavy drinks. Strippers were dancing around the poles, swinging their beautiful hips.
Mark, one of Julian's friends, suddenly made a bet with the others.
“Let’s see who can get that girl first and take her to bed,” he said with a smirk.
They all agreed. Julian just sat there watching. One of the guys stood up and approached the girl. It didn’t take long before he came back, his face stiff.
“Damn, that girl is so damn daring…”
They laughed at him. Then they turned to Julian.
“Bro, we trust you. Let’s see if you can get her in your bed,” they challenged.
Julian smirked, stood up, and walked over to her. He whispered something in her ear, and she smiled, leaving the pole to follow him.
Seeing that, the guys all stood up, cheering.
“Go get it, boy! Go get it, boy!”
Julian led the girl to the rooms on the third floor. He opened the door, and she followed him inside. They suddenly got into a heated kiss and moved to the bed.
Julian stopped her.
“I got something to make you more wild,” he said.
He pulled out a small plastic bag with white powder — drugs. He set it down and made her use all of it in one go. Then they got wild on the bed, lost in the moment.
During it, the girl suddenly started having a nosebleed. They both noticed and stopped. She swayed, dizzy, and without warning, collapsed and lost consciousness.
Julian was startled. He shook her, but she didn’t respond. He checked her pulse — nothing. His eyes widened as he realized she was getting cold. She was dead.
Panic rose in him. He grabbed his phone and called his father.
His father, Reginald, was sleeping when the ringing woke him. Seeing Julian’s name, he got out of bed and went into the bathroom before answering.
Reginald, annoyed:
“What the hell is wrong with you? Did you check the time before calling me?”
Julian, sobbing:
“Daddy, I messed up… I messed up… help me…”
Reginald, hearing his son cry, softened his tone.
“Tell Daddy what’s wrong, and I’ll help.”
Julian:
“She’s lying here… dead… I didn’t do anything bad to her, and now she’s dead… I just… help me, Daddy… she’s dead…”
Reginald, patiently:
“How much did you give her?”
Julian:
“She wanted all of it… and I gave it to her…”
Reginald, furious:
“What?! Are you crazy? You overdosed her! How can you be so stupid? And now you want me to clean up your mess? How many times have I warned you to only use a little? Have you already forgotten that last time you almost killed someone like this?”
Julian:
“Dad, I was drunk, okay? Instead of scolding me, come and clean this mess. I’m begging you… or else I’ll go to jail. You wouldn’t want me to go to jail… I wouldn’t survive in there…” he cried. “Nobody loves me…”
Reginald slapped his forehead.
“Okay, wait there. I’ll send someone to come over. And pull yourself together — stop being a crybaby.”
Then he hung up, made a call, and went back to sleep.
The mess Julian made was cleaned up. Then he left.
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Morning came. Everyone was sitting in the lounge while breakfast was being set on the table in the dining room.
Catherine came downstairs and sat next to Ava.
Ava:
“Morning, Mommy… why do you look so serious? Did someone die?”
Julian, hearing that, grew tense, remembering last night.
Catherine:
“What are you talking about? How do you expect me to smile when my children are fighting over stupid things?” she asked with a frown.
Reginald, annoyed:
“This early in the morning you want to argue? Aren’t you tired?”
Catherine stood up, picked up the remote from the coffee table, and switched on the TV. Breaking news flashed across the screen: a naked girl had been found dead, and it seemed they caught the suspect, who was arrested.
Julian, seeing that it was the girl from last night, shivered and looked away. Ava noticed and frowned.
“Julian… do you know anything about this murder?”
Reginald, displeased:
“What are you talking about? How should he know something like this? What are you trying to say?”
Ava:
“Dad, I’m asking because… this club is where he usually hangs out with his friends.”
Julian, coldly:
“Don’t ask me stupid questions. I don’t know anything about that.”
Ava, irritated:
“Okay… I was just asking. Don’t eat me.”
Catherine stood up and turned off the TV.
“Okay, everyone. Time for breakfast.”
They all stood and moved to the dining room to eat.
They noticed Ethan, Lily, and Lucas weren’t there yet. Just as Reginald was about to speak, Lucas walked in.
“Sorry I’m late. I was on a business call.”
Catherine:
“So early in the morning? Where are the others?”
Just then, Ethan and Lily walked in and sat down.
“Morning,” they said.
Reginald, with a dark face:
“Don’t you know the rules of this house? Do I have to remind each of you that we sit down at the same time?”
He slammed his hand on the table, and silence fell.
Without another word, Reginald began eating, and everyone followed. While eating, each was lost in their own thoughts, until Reginald broke the silence.
“There are some issues in Italy that need to be solved quickly. So I’m sending one of you to go handle it.”
They paused, looking at him. Without looking up, Reginald continued.
“Ethan, you’ll go tonight. Make sure to book a flight on time.”
Ethan furrowed his brows.
“Dad, I’m in the middle of something at the moment. Why don’t you send Julian, since he has nothing to do?”
Reginald, unimpressed:
“Ethan, it’s not a request. You will go. Pass whatever you’re doing to Lucas — he can handle it.”
Ethan fell silent and continued eating. Lucas smirked.
“Yeah, I can handle things here. Ethan can go and sort it out. Who knows, maybe he’ll come back with new offers.”
Ethan, annoyed, lost his appetite and stood up. Before he could leave, Reginald asked,
“And where do you think you’re going?”
Ethan, without looking back:
“I need to prepare for the flight and a few things. I’m leaving.”
He walked out. Lily, noticing her brother was upset, also stood up.
“Uhm… Daddy, I have an early meeting, so I need to prepare. Excuse me,” she said, and hurried after him.
Reginald let her go. The rest quietly continued eating.
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- Writer
