The third point of view

"Mom, I'm tired," the boy cried out, "Can I rest now?" he pleaded

"Rest?" Jennifer had an angry look on her face. She walked over to her son where he was seated on the chair in front of his study desk.

"Did I just hear the word rest from your mouth?" She gripped his jaw tight, causing him pain, "If you were half as smart as Reina's son, we wouldn't have been chased off!" She barked at him.

The harsh treatment made tears drop from his eyes, he began to wail like a banshee.

"Take a look at yourself?! All you know how to do best is cry and eat! What can you do, you crybaby!" She began to slap his cheeks while Neon cried on.

"Mommy, I'm afraid," Neon slobbered since he had his mouth open wide crying.

Jennifer grabbed his root tight, forcing his face in her direction, saying threateningly," If you don't master the periodic table by the time I'm back, I'll starve you for two days straight,"

Done, she shoved him off.

"Idiot," She cursed, straightening her button-up shirt, picked her purse from the study desk she had dropped earlier, and left.

Trembling, Neon huddled in his chair while crying. He was so scared. His mother changed ever since they left Niklaus' place. She gets angry at the slightest provocation, hits him once he makes a little mistake, and keeps comparing him to Allen, Reina's son.

"Where are you, Isabella? I'm so frightened," He whispered, wishing his sister was by his side. She promised to protect him, but then? She abandoned him. They were all liars.

Jennifer made sure the door was locked, before she made her way to the garage and entered her car, zooming off. Thanks to the money Niklaus gave her, it wasn't difficult to find a house on the market which she purchased immediately.

Now, she had to go meet that crazy old man called Niklaus' father and know what he truly wants from her.

Yes, Adam was the one who sent her those photos, she found out that day they met. Though he hasn't told her what he wants from her, Jennifer bet he would spill his guts today.

As expected, it was a high-end restaurant and the man preserved a table next to the window side.

"You're late," Adam told her with a frown, checking the expensive wristwatch on his wrist, "My time is quite important to me; every second wasted is money,"

"Well, I had something to do, and don't tell me you're seriously complaining? Don't you have patience in your calendar?" she told him without as much as an apologetic look.

The frown on Adam's face increased, she had no fear nor respect - this one would be quite stubborn to control.

"Alright. Have a seat then," Adam hid his irritation beneath a smile. He knew girls like them and how to bend them to his will.

Adam opened the menu placed on the table, "You must be hungry, what do you want to -"

"Why am I here?" Jennifer interrupted him, going straight to the point, "I believe you didn't send those pictures and then meet up with me, without wanting a favor in return,"

Adam paused briefly, stunned by her directness. He dropped the menu, kept his intertwined hands on the table, and looked into her eyes saying, "It's more of a deal than favor - you benefit and I do too,"

A smile tugged Jennifer's lips to the side, "Color me interested,"

Adam smiled too, he has dropped the bait, the fish has been hooked, "As you know, I'm not in support of the woman Niklaus appears infatuated with,"

"You mean Reina?"

"Yes, it seems. You see, anyone with that miserable woman's face called 'Maya' is bad luck to us Spencers. I don't want that bad luck in my family again," Adam confessed.

But then, to his greatest surprise, Jennifer began to laugh at him; a burst of long, hysterical laughter that made him uncomfortable.

"What is funny about what I just said? "Adam was confused.

"It seems you're behind on your update but let me do you the favor of giving you the latest information," She leaned closer, "That woman Reina, that looks like Maya, is indeed Maya. Both are the same person and the reason Niklaus chased me off because he confirmed her identity," Jennifer notified him.

Adam was taken aback by that disclosure. Reina was Maya? Why didn't he know about that? It seems that ingrate Eden had a hand in this!

"This makes it all better then. It's obvious we have a common enemy. I need you to be my spokesperson; the woman I have chosen for my son, Niklaus. I just need you to get Niklaus wrapped around your fingers while I settle the rest. How's that?" he proposed.

"So in one word, you want me to be your puppet?" was Jennifer's reply.

"It might seem that way at first but the benefit outweighs the negative - you'd be with Niklaus at last," He added, "And with my whole support - trust me, you don't want to be on my bad side,"

Jennifer sensed the threat beneath his words, he wasn't giving her an option. It was a do-or-die affair. But then, she was not to be messed with either.

"You know," Jennifer began, relaxing against her seat, "People say experience is the best teacher, but I strongly disagree with that. You don't need to encounter an incident firsthand before one learns, rather I learn from the mistakes of others and Tina's downfall has taught me that having a deal with the likes of you is a death trap,"

"So you're rejecting my offer?" his tone was not exactly pleased.

"Yes, I am," she quickly said, "And before you go about threatening me, I'd have you know that I just recorded our conversation..." she said, showing him the recording, "And sent it to a reliable source in case something does happen to me mysteriously," she hinted he might try to harm her.

Adam was amused, " That's quite funny. What makes you think that a man of my status would be thwarted by such useless evidence if I wanted to eliminate you," He whispered to her," I have the law in my hands, "

"Ahh," Jennifer nodded her head,

"I know about that which is why I'd send it to Niklaus instead, "

The color drained from Adam's face.

"Niklaus might not love me the way he loves Reina but I believe I meant something big to him. So imagine what would happen if I died questionably and he comes across this recording? What do you think he would do? Moreover, your relationship with him as of late is quite ...." Jennifer intentionally trailed off, but she knew he got her point.

Adam's jaw ticked, his fist clenched. This was the first time he was being put in such a tight and unfavorable position. He thought he got himself a trump card, sadly, it was a trojan horse.

"Listen here, Oldman," Jennifer didn't hide the contempt in her voice, "I'll get Niklaus in my own way and no one would stop me - not even you,"

It dawned on Adam, this woman was on a whole higher level than Tina. Christina, though greedy for the throne, still desired for Niklaus's heart but this woman? She was dangerous of all because she only aimed for the price- Niklaus! And when one keeps getting disappointed, that love would easily turn to extreme hate.

"Now," She picked up the menu with a smile, "Where were you?"

He has certainly met his version, Adam thought, slightly unsettled by this development.

Meanwhile, unknown to them all, Isabella hid behind a store that was across, watching them.

"Adam and Jennifer?" she mumbled to herself, "That's certainly not a good combination, "

Isabella had been following Jennifer since today. Ever since that day she slept Neon on the face, the girl had been worried about her behavior. The old Jennifer loved Neon so much that she wouldn't even bear to give him strenuous works. Hitting Neon? Something was wrong.

The look in Jennifer's eyes that day still scares her, Isabella could have sworn the woman had gone crazy and there was no way on earth she would leave Neon with a crazy mother.

Although Neon wasn't her biological brother, she had spent seven years with him and forged a great relationship with the boy. Sometimes, you don't have to be blood to become a family. Neon has helped her in her darkest time, it was her turn to return the favor.

"Hey," she heard a voice from behind.

Out of instinct, Isabella grabbed the hand that touched her on the shoulder, twisted it, and threw the person over her shoulder.

"Ouch!"

"Pedro?" Isabella's eyes widened to the size of saucers, "What the hell were you thinking sneaking up on me like that?!" She chided him.

"I wasn't sneaking up on you, I was following you and you seem to be following someone," He groaned, accepting the hand Isabella gave to him that helped lift him up.

"Why are you following me?" Isabella was not happy

"You've been avoiding me, I just wanted to talk to you," He told her.

"If it's about Anabelle and how sorry she is or whatever happened between us? Then you just kick that idea under the bus, I'm not ready for excuses," she dismissed him

He blocked her path, "Isabella, hold -"

"Listen here, I'm currently on a mission to rescue a seven-year-old boy from his seemingly crazy mother…" She gestured with her hands, " So unless you have a brilliant idea or helping me out, I'd suggest you get out of my path,"

Whoever teamed up with her grandfather definitely has a loose screw in the head.