Nik's Pov

Everything was supposed to be perfect, I had already laid out the plans :

When Maya stands up from her seat, the whole light in the ballroom would go off while two different spotlights would be fixed on the both of us.

Casting a halo on her, the spotlight would light and guide her path while rose petals would begin to fall from above.

The stage would lit up with romantic lights while the large projector screen would feature pictures of our time together she hadn't realized I've been taking.

She would walk up to me with a smile looking like a Romanian goddess sent to earth by mistake and I would repeat my question,

" Would you do me the honour of being my wife, Tigress? "

Then would open the red engagement ring box, exposing a rose gold ring featuring a stunning round centre diamond flanked by stunning pear diamonds.

The moment she says "Yes" to my question, I would slide the ring into her finger and kiss her briefly before carrying her off her feet and twirl her around while confetti falls on us - I hoped I didn't overdo the whole romantic gesture.

But contrary to my expectation, my household enemies crushed all my plans to smithereens .

Everything happened too quickly to comprehend.One moment I was waiting on my knees for her answer and the next, I heard a reply - but the voice sounded different yet familiar.

Mystified, I hardly understood what was going on before I was yanked to my feet and forcefully kissed on the lips.

Perhaps, it was the universe punishing me for my lustful ways. But one thing was clear, I might have seduced, but they were willing participants neither have I forced myself on them - but right now, someone was forcing herself on me.

I awoke from my reverie when applauses override the other, not to talk of camera flashes or the loud chattering from the curious reporters peppering me with their questions.

Having realized what happened, I pushed Tina away with a momentum that almost made her slip and fall to the ground eliciting a shocked gasp from the crowd.

My eyes darted around and scanned the faces on the table, Maya was missing.

My daughter was scowling at me, Ahmed shook his head while Emily flashed me a sympathetic gaze but I didn't care about their opinion at the moment; finding Maya was all that mattered.

"Niklau - " Tina tried to call me but I gave her a look that could vaporize plastic on sight and stomped off the stage amidst confused whispers and gossips.

It wasn't hard to figure out, My father had planned this out with Tina while Eden probably lended a helping hand.

My veins bulged while my fist clenched as anger rippled throughout my body.

But as angry as I was, I couldn't do anything to them since this Gala was being broadcast live - I would have to see to their deceit later.

I left the ballroom through the back entrance, Maya was a sensitive person and wouldn't leave through the main entrance in fear of reporters capturing her embarrassing moment.

My heart hurt , she was probably curled up somewhere crying a bucket full of tears and it was my fault.

Though I was secretive and meticulous in my plans but truth be told, I had a feeling the Old Man would try and disrupt my arrangements which was why I had a backup plan just in case, but I never thought he would try this crazy approach.

"Maya! " I screamed, scouring the floor like a madman on the loose while people gave me the looks - who cares.

I had a feeling she hadn't left the hotel building and so, searched narrow and little spaces she could be hiding and bawling her eyes out, yet I came up with nothing.

"Niklaus " Someone called my name and I turned around.

Judy ran to me breathless with his phone cradled in his palm carefully "You need to see this " he said immediately and I snatched the cell phone from him.

Playing the video, I saw Maya but she was walking through the underground garage and she was crying.

My hurt heart but I continued watching the video and was quite startled when two men appeared out of nowhere, face covered and both dressed thoroughly in dark clothes .

One of them captured her from behind and pressed a white cloth against her nose - I bet it was drugged.

Though she struggled but the drug kicked in and she slumped into his arms.

Her abductor brought out a black bag, dropped it over her head and the both dumped her in the booth of their car parked at the side.

But what shocked me the most was when one of them brought out a placard with an inscription and raised it boldly for the camera to capture.

Eyes narrowed, I zoomed in on the video and saw " Sakuzi Says Hi " written on the placard.

Then he joined his partner in the car and drove off and the video ended.

My jaw ticked as I faced Judy, "Didn't I ask you guys to strengthen Security tonight, how did this happen?! What the f*ck were you guys doing?! playing? fooling around?!. " I roared and tossed the cell phone causing it to smash as it hit the floor.

Judy blinked but he didn't dare to move and answered calmly " I think it was an insider job, one of our people betrayed us "

I ran my hands through my hair, gripping and tousling it on purpose. First the kiss, now this, I was slowly losing my mind.

Sakuzi was purposely taunting me, he was inciting me to action. God how could I have been so stupid? This was why I wasn't supposed to play favourites.

Contrary to my belief, he didn't give up all these years but rather was vigilantly watching and now he has struck; found my weakness at last.

I balled my fist and commanded "Track down that car and gather the forces, we'll be paying Sakuzi a well earned visit "

Judy was shocked, he objected at once "The chairman wouldn't be pleased, moreover it's too risky. "

I raised a brow while a mirthless smile twisted my lips " Are you under me or my father? "

My voice was cold, Judy shivered upon seeing the murderous glint in my eyes .

He choked. " B-but.. the chairman…"

I yanked him closer by the collar and spat " That was an order not a request , so get your ass moving "

I released him and strode away.

Judy's royalty was undoubtedly, but this time he was wavering, the mission was too risky.

"Niklaus! " Someone called again and I turned around vexed, but my already boiling anger climbed up the chart when I discovered it was Eden.

"What's going on? "

"None of your business " I spat and turned around but he grabbed my shoulder .

I swiftly turned around, grabbed his hand intending to twist it , but he was fast and slipped away but grabbed mine instead.

However I was quick too but we ended up fighting for wrist control, the both of us aiming for the hand since it would give any of us leverage over the other.

Our hand grip fight was so tough that we ended up grappling and seized each other's arm in a tight hold .

"Something is wrong, why are you assembling your forces all of a sudden? " He still repeated his question.

"Why? " I shot him a look of disdain " So you can tell on me or.. ," I faltered on purpose and cocked a brow " Stab me in the back like you did the night Kay died?. "

His eyes slowly widened and my smirk grew, did he actually think I wouldn't find out what he did.

I drew him closer and said to him with all manner of seriousness " Keep on counting your blessings cause I'm counting the bad deeds for you one after the other "

Then I broke the grip by forcefully pushing him away "And also, mind your business."

I finalized and entered the elevator leading to the hotel lobby, the old man can knock himself out with the Gala.

Judy had already cleared the reporters at the entrance, started the car engine and was waiting for my arrival.

I slid into the car and asked at once "Have you tracked down the car? "

"Didn't break a sweat at all, " He answered .

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, Sakuzi intentionally wants me to find him which means Maya is safe - at least until I arrive.

" Where is everyone? "

"Three sixty degrees " Judy said and I looked through both windows after the other and saw cars waiting on both sides and they flashed their headlights twice as some sort of signal.

I looked back and front and witnessed the same thing, everyone was prepared and awaiting my orders.

" And this, " Judy said and tossed a CZ 75 to me which I caught " Just in case "

I understood what he meant, Incase he couldn't protect me, I could protect myself.

I checked the gun; it was well loaded, tested the grip; it fitted my hands very comfortably.

It was time.

"Let's go "