I was pacing back and forth across the room as I waited for Langdon to pick up the phone. My legs stopped when I heard his voice on the other line.

"Langdon, forget about Jonathan. He's not dead and Uncle Rafael already took care of him. I need you to dig up about these people Clara Bell interacted with.."

As I said their names, Langdon was quietly listening on the other line.

"I have three excellent friends who can help me, Sir!" he responded and I ended the call.

I heard thundering footsteps approaching followed by voices. I instantly recognized one of them. It was uncle Rafael's voice. Lucas and I shot up to our feet when they entered the room. My eyes lingered to the man with brown hair, almost as tall as uncle Rafael. I've met him several times.

Tristan Marconi.

Uncle Tristan is close to Lucas' family and Clara's too. My family became acquainted too cause of he is Uncle Rafael and Uncle Gio. They were his friends and business partners.

"Hey, Lucas! How's going?" Uncle Tristan greeted Lucas and opened his arms for an embrace.

Lucas closed their gap and embraced him briefly as he responded, "not bad except today." He pulled out of his embrace and stepped back.

Uncle Tristan then turned to me. "Alex!" he acknowledged and shoot out his hand for a handshake.

I took it as I greeted him back. "Uncle," I half-smiled and pulled my hand back and dropped it to my side. He gave he a gentle tap on my right shoulder before he stood closer to Lucas.

I shifted my eyes to uncle Rafael. He looks like a raging thunder ready to cause devastation. My eyes lingered to the folders he was holding. He dropped them on the big mahogany table, his eyes never leaving the coloured folders that sprawled on the wide cinnamon table as he spoke.

"Where's Clara Bell?" he asked, tearing his eyes off the folders and met mine. His brows knitted together, hands flew to his hips.

"She's with my mom," Lucas answered, drawing uncle Rafael attentions to him.

He nodded. "Better if she's out of this. I don't want her worry about this," he sighed.

He turned around and faced the window, a short tensed silence followed. I heard Lucas offered uncle Tristan with a drink.

Uncle Rafael turned and asked. "Where's Gio?" His eyes directed at Lucas.

"He's with GP in the backyard, with the Police officers," Lucas responded briefly.

Uncle Rafael nodded his head. Then he looked down on the folders again. "These are the files Tristan had gathered..." he looked up and gave Uncle Tristan a brief look before turning it to me. "Look on these files," he motioned his hand on the pile of folders on the table. "I'll go and talk with the po-" his words was cut off by the ringing of his phone.

He took it out of his pocket and answered the call.

"Yes!" he started, turning to face the window. He watched through the window as he listened intently on the other line. As the seconds, minutes passes, his aura turning darker.

I walked closer to the table, uncle Rafael on the other side, the table in between us. Grabbing the red folder. I flipped it open and a few photos of Claire spilled. A few was the same ones I have and the rest was pictures of her and some models Claire and Clara had spent time with. I stared at the one photos where Clara Bell was animatedly talking to Claire. She was wearing a mustard yellow v-neck sleeveless silk top, her hair was tied on a bun. She looked so content conversing with Claire. Behind them was that photographer and Tabitha.

I put down the picture when all of a sudden, a shadow caught my eyes. I quickly pick up the picture and stared at it. At the very corner of the picture was a shadow of a woman who was staring at either Claire or Clara Bell. She must be wearing a black dress. It's kind of hard to see cause the picture was taken at night. Looks like they are in a party. All I could see was her blurry face.

I brought the picture closer and stared at the woman.

She looks mad? It's hard to tell, but her eyebrows are knitted together. But then it could be Claire. I know a lot doesn't like her. Or maybe she's exhausted.

I dropped the picture on to the piles of photos and grab another folder. I opened it and all was copies of phone conversations.

"Thank you, Vito. I know I can count on you, amigo!" Uncle Rafael's voice caught my attention. His hand that was sitting on his waist dropped to his side and curled into a tight ball.

I dropped the files and watched Uncle Rafael ended the call.

He turned to face us. Lucas was already standing next to me. He took some of the photos and inspect them. I let out the breath I was absentmindedly holding.

"Jonathan Hemmings confessed that Tabitha used him." He explained. "She apparently caught them and Mrs. Gurkin so intimate on one of Mrs. Laurier Becket's party." My hands curled into a tight ball, a new waves of anger bubbling up in my system.

"I don't understand what my daughter saw with these women!" He gritted as he shook his head. Thoroughly vexed.

I absentmindedly looked at Lucas then to uncle Tristan who was on his phone the whole time. Curiosity crossed all over Lucas' face. I shifted my eyes back to uncle Rafael.

"That piece of shit blackmailed him in return of keeping her mouth shut," he growled vehemently.

"And what is Jonathan doing in that party?" I mindlessly spouted.

"Jonathan used to work with the Beckets, but he got fired or he quitted. We don't know." Uncle Tristan responded.

"I heard Mrs. Gurkin and Mrs. Becket are bestfriend. They went in the same university as far as I remember," Lucas interjected.

And that I know of. It's not a rumor. It is true.

I nodded as I stared at Lucas. Turning my attention back to uncle Rafael, he met my eyes. "Tabitha and Claire had been plotting against my daughter." Uncle Rafael's face turned rigid. "Those copies are the evidences..." Uncle Rafael's hand moved to his waist, as he looked down on the folders on the table briefly and heaved a deep sigh. He looked troubled. "But Mrs. Helena's missing piece is still a mystery. All their conversations, there was no mentioning of Helena's heirloom."

"Maybe they never talk it over the phone," Lucas commented. He picked up some of the folders and sat on the chair next to it.

I nodded my head in agreement. Could be true.

"True," uncle Rafael replied turning his eyes to Lucas. "And that's the problem. We can't prove she was set up," he added on. A short silence took over.

"This investigation is going nowhere..." Uncle Rafael let out a harsh sigh. Frustrations marred his face. He looked older than his age.

I looked away and I felt my heart constricted. Fear crawled in my gut. I'm gonna go mad if those bitches succeeded in dragging her to the ground. I'm gonna turn into a murderer if that happens.

I shook the thoughts off and tried to think positive. They need to find that jewelry before the police do.

"But the police can't arrest Clara Bell unless they found the jewelry in her possession," I stated. A little hope arises in my chest.

"True," he nodded his head.

So we need to find the jewelry, but then we have no clue what was it. I feel like we are thrown into an island with no life support. Barren island.

And now, all we can do while our people work on the case is find the missing jewelry without any clue what was it look like. "We should start looking into her things?" I asked wearily.

"We already looked in all her things. We turned her room, rather our home upside down, but found none. We already called her cleaner and caretaker of her condo in LA to check all over the house. My wife is, as we speak is flying to LA to check the place herself. She knows all her things." Uncle Rafael explained.

"I-" Words was cut when uncle Rafael's phone rang again.

His gaze switching between us and Lucas as he answered the call. "Yes, Christopher?"

He listened to the other line. His face expression switching.

"Well..." he paused, then he exhaled. "It's bad," he replied.

"My daughter is about to get arrested of something she didn't do," he explained. He turned his back and faced the window as he spoke. "I need you to get whatever information you can squeeze out of those bitches' mouth before this goes to the court. I don't want my daughter's name get dragged through the mud..."

I plopped down on the chair next to me. My palms involuntarily ran across my face. Uncle's angry voice just passing my ears.

Maybe we are overacting? Maybe someone took the jewelry. Maybe it was stolen by someone who isn't from VS and it happens on the same day? Maybe it wasn't her?

But we can't take the chance and just wait.

"Dad!" Clara's voice interrupted my thoughts and I involuntarily shot up. I watched her ran to her father and threw herself into his arms. Uncle Rafael ended the call and wrapped his arms around her into a tight embrace yet with gentleness.

My heart ached, longing to hold her. I felt that pang of jealousy. I wished she'd run to me the way she did to her father, but at this time, she needs her father's love more than anyone else. More than me.

It hurts a bit, but I shook it off. I'm being unreasonable.

Clara Bell's shoulders shook as she buried her face on her father's chest. And I was crying inside too, watching her so helpless, so vulnerable. "Don't worry, mi princesita. Everything will be okay," he hushed reassuringly and he kissed the side of her head. My heart ached as I watched her cry on her dad's chest. Those tears flowing are like pins shooting through my heart. It's very painful to watch. The agony on her face was like a poison slowly killing me.

"I'm sorry, dad," she kept saying in silent tears.

Uncle Rafael's rigid face softened.

"You didn't do anything, mi princesita. You are the victim here."

Uncle Rafael rubbed her back so delicately. The great love of a father to his daughter is shown before my eyes.

"I'm gonna let them pay hundredfold."

I agreed silently. My jaws involuntarily tightened as I watched her, my heart breaking apart.

"I'm sorry, Rafael. I can't hold them off any longer," Uncle Gio said as he walked into the room. All attentions drifted to him. His face marred with deep empathies as he looked at them.

"Chief Penn will just ask a few questions, then they will be off. I know him and he promised to be easy with her," Uncle explained.

"I have a lawyer who will represent her," Uncle Rafael said and turned to face Clara Bell. "If you don't want to answer, you have the right to, mi princesita. Don't say anything that you're not comfortable with, or don't say anything at all." Uncle Rafael explained in his gentle tone.

Clara Bell nodded her head.

Uncle Rafael directed his eyes to Uncle Gio and bobbed his head. "Let them in..." he said in a clipped tone. "But I will be here. I won't leave my daughter alone with them!" Uncle Rafael held Clara closer to him, protectively. He then kissed the top of her head a little longer. He looked like he's going to break though.

I was staring at Clara, I could feel the water welled up under my eyelids. If only I could do something to wiped those sadness on her beautiful cerulean eyes. Misty eyes met mine for a minute or two. A longing emotion crossed her face for a second. I wish I could hold her, reassure her that everything will be okay, but Uncle Rafael is still holding her so close, so protectively.

Uncle Gio spoke, his latest iPhone next to his right ear. "Bring them to the library, GP."

I let out that breath I never knew I was holding and looked away, blinking the tears back.

A long tensed silence took over as we all wait for the two officers to come.

Just as I looked back to Clara Bell, she was already close to me. And then she threw herself to me I almost caught off guard. My heart beats faster when our skin connected. My arms instinctively wrapped around her soft body pulling her to me as close as it allowed. She buried her face on my chest. My gaze directed to Uncle Rafael and he stared at me for a bit before he nodded his head.

A silent blessing.

My heart swelled with happiness. I nodded my head back, a silent thank you.

Then I buried my face on crook of her neck as I held her tight yet so tenderly, bathing in her scent I've missed so much. I breathed in long and hard and wishing the time stops. At that moment, I realized that I can never let her go. I don't know how long we held each other, no words, but just our bodies close to each other, silently sending messages that we are here for each other, that I'm here for her and I will never leave her, no matter what happens.

Just as we pulled apart, our eyes met, silently talking. Hers sending a silent thank you, mine sending her how much I love her and I will do everything to protect her until I die. She gave me a tentative smile.

I leaned in and my eyes closed involuntarily as my lips touched her forehead. I felt like the time froze. I forgot what situation we have at that moment. It was so special. I forgot the people who cares for us are around watching us.

"They're here," Lucas voice threw me back to reality. I pulled back, holding Clara Bell's eyes, I nodded my head. Sending her that we are here for her. I am always here for her. She drew a long, hard breath before turning her eyes to the door. I turned to the directions of her eyes and watched as GP walked in with the two Police Officers in tow.

"Good morning, everyone! Rather good afternoon," the short lean Police with a gray hair greeted. "I'm Chief Inspector Jerry Penn, and this is Inspector Jack Cummingham," he introduced to the taller and a little younger black haired officer standing next to him. He roamed his heavy lidded eyes around the room and settled with Clara Bell. My hand involuntarily glided to her waist and pulled her gingerly closer to me, protectively. She looked up at me and met my eyes. She looked a little worried. I gave her a small smile, silently saying it will be okay. She tentatively smiled back before pulling her eyes away.

"Afternoon, officer," I heard everyone said. I met with Inspector Penn's gray eyes and he met mine briefly before returning it to Clara Bell.

"Miss Valiente, we would like to ask a few questions." Mr. Penn's eyes softened as he stared at her. He looked like he's about 60's.

"I'm ready, Sir." Clara Bell responded with such confidence. My eyes lander on her and stared at her with awe. She pulled away from me, her spine steeled, shoulder straightened. She look like a real royal with oozing confidence and grace.

I forgot that she's a royal.

The inspector smiled. He looked around and spoke. "Gentlemen, if you don't mind. It won't take long." A smile of reassurance spread across his face.

"I'm staying with her," Uncle Rafael's irate voice cut the tension growing in the room.

......

Sorry for the long wait, again. My father in law finally got dischraged from the hospital. He has a Junctional Tachycardia. It was one of those scary moments in our life.

Anyhow, I hope you like this chapter.