Chapter7
1050 Words
CHAPTER 7
The opulent ballroom shimmered with crystal chandeliers and gold accents. Adam and Belle entered hand in hand, the perfect image of a powerful couple. Cameras flashed, whispers followed them like shadows.
Belle wore an emerald green gown that clung to her figure, while Adam looked dangerously elegant in a tailored black tuxedo. On the outside, they were flawless. But inside, Belle’s thoughts spun wildly.
She couldn’t shake Jane’s words. “Step-brother – affair – not a Bailison.”
As she smiled politely and clinked glasses with associates, Belle felt like she was performing on a stage built on lies. She barely registered the conversation as Adam leaned over to whisper in her ear.
“You’re tense,” he said, his voice very low.
“Long day,” Belle replied, brushing it off.
They hadn’t been at the gala for more than an hour when the room shifted.
Shouting, screaming, chaos.
Then… gunshots.
People ducked, glass shattered, achandelier swayed dangerously. Belle’s heart seized as gunmen in masks stormed through the entrance, weapons drawn.
Adam’s hand yanked her down behind a marble column.
He pulled a sleek black pistol from the inside of his tux jacket and began returning fire.
“Adam?! What the hell are you doing?” Belle screamed over the noise.
But he didn’t answer. His movements were swift, tactical. Not just defensive – aggressive. Like a man trained for this.
One of Adam’s men appeared at Belle’s side, grabbing her arm. “Ma’am, we need to leave, NOW.”
“I’m not leaving him!”
“Mr. Hamilton’s orders. Come on!”
Reluctantly, Belle let herself be dragged through the kitchen exit and into a black SUV. As they sped away, she trembled, watching the lights of the gala disappear into the distance. Her ears still rang from the gunshots.
But more than anything, it was the memory.
The gunfire had triggered something. Her mind was thrown back to that night; her parents' bodies, the killer, the fear.
She had forgotten her mission, forgotten the blood, the questions, the justice she never got.
Belle clutched her phone. With shaking fingers, she texted Emma:
“Send me everything on my parents' murder case. Tonight, no more delays.”
---
Two hours later, the door creaked open at the penthouse. Adam walked in, shirt bloodstained, his expression blank.
Belle sat waiting, still in her gown.
“Do you care to give an explanation of what I just witnessed?”
Adam froze. “Why aren’t you in bed?”
“Don’t deviate the question, Adam.”
He sighed and poured himself a drink. “It was just a minor business issue that needed urgent attention. Don’t give it too much thought.”
“A business issue? That involved bullets flying all over the air? And you had a gun with you, Adam! How did you have access to a gun?!”
“I thought we agreed not to pry into each other’s private matters.”
“Private matter? I almost died, Adam!”
Belle stood, her voice rising. “This isn’t just about you. It’s about me, about the company. Don’t you think I deserve to know the kind of man I married?”
“We had an agreement, Belle. And the company? What does this have to do with the company?”
“I’ve spent the last two hours doing damage control to make sure this doesn’t reach the media! You are married to the CEO of Bailison Group now, the media will always be in your business!”
Adam’s eyes hardened. “I’m going to bed.”
“Don’t you dare walk out on me, Adam!” Belle screamed. “Why were those gunmen after you?! What did you do to them? And why the hell did you have a gun?!”
He said nothing.
The silence cut deeper than words. He turned and walked into the bedroom, leaving Belle standing in the center of the room, heart pounding with rage and confusion.
She let out a frustrated scream and sank into the nearest chair.
This was just like the night of her parents' death.
Tears welled in her eyes. She couldn’t afford to be distracted again.
She picked up her phone.
“Emma, update me first thing tomorrow. I want to reopen the investigation.”
* * * * *
The next morning, Adam is sitting in his office, a grim look on his face. Rufus stood in front of him, arms crossed.
“That was sloppy,” Adam said coldly. “It should never happen again; especially not in the presence of my wife. I pay you good money to prevent this, not react to it.”
“I understand, sir. We’re looking into how they got past security.”
Adam slammed his glass down. “No excuses. I have enemies, yes. But this was planned, precise. Find out who tipped them off. And fix it.”
Rufus nodded. “I’ll get to work.”
Meanwhile, Belle sat in her office, staring blankly at her computer screen. Emma walked in.
“You didn’t sleep, did you?”
“Of course not.”
Emma hesitated. “Belle, I’ve been thinking. With everything going on… maybe it’s time you got a personal bodyguard.”
“No,” Belle replied sharply. “I can’t trust anyone new.”
“You don’t have to trust him. Just… consider it, for safety.”
Belle gave a tired smile. “I’ll think about it.”
“I saw your text last night. I don't think reopening the investigation will do us any good.”
“Are you for me or against me?” Belle queried.
“I'm definitely for you but the police can no longer help us. They're making no progress at all.”
“So are you saying my parents' death will forever remain a mystery?”
“Just give it some time, I'm sure if the police finds anything they'll definitely let us know.”
Later that evening, after the day's work, she stepped into her car. The door closed, preparing to text Emma that she was on her way home.
Suddenly, an arm reached from the back seat.
A cloth pressed against her nose and mouth.
The scent was sickly sweet. Her vision blurred.
And then… darkness.
- Writer
